When Someone Dies in New Zealand
When someone passes away, it’s normal to feel unsure about the legal steps that follow. This guide explains what needs to happen depending on where the death occurs and who must be involved. Our team will help you through every step.
If the Person Has Passed Away at Home
What happens next:
- We help contact their GP or medical center
- If the passing was unexpected, the police may attend
- If the person is to be cremated, the doctor must attend in person to view the body before completing the cremation paperwork
- The case may be referred to the Coroner
We’ll guide you through each step and liaise with the right professionals on your behalf.
If the Person Has Passed in Hospital or a Care Facility
What you can expect:
- The medical team will confirm the cause of death
- Required documents are prepared for us to collect
- If needed, doctors may refer the case to the Coroner
We coordinate directly with hospital staff to ensure everything is in place.
If the Death Was Sudden, Accidental, or Unexplained
This includes:
- Accidental or traumatic deaths
- Sudden or unexpected deaths
- Deaths during medical procedures
- Deaths without recent medical history
- Deaths in custody
The Coroner may order a post-mortem examination.
We explain the process clearly and keep your family informed.
As soon as all documents are approved, we will arrange pick-up and bring your loved one gently into our care
Once your loved one is safely in our care, we encourage your family to meet together and discuss the arrangements you’d like to make. Having this conversation early helps guide the planning process and ensures decisions reflect what matters most to you.
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (HP4720)
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is the most fundamental piece of legal paperwork following a death in New Zealand. This document formally confirms the cause of death and is essential for the body to be legally handled, whether by burial or cremation.
What is the Certificate’s Purpose?
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (HP4720 form) serves three primary functions:
- Legal Authority: It provides the funeral director with the legal authority, as required under the Burial and Cremation Act 1964, to take charge of the deceased's body.
- Official Record: It is the key source of information used by the Department of Internal Affairs (Births, Deaths and Marriages) to register the death and issue the final, legal Death Certificate.
- Statistical Data: The certificate ensures the cause of death is classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, providing accurate data for public health and mortality statistics.
Who Completes and Signs the Form?
The certificate must be completed and signed by a medical practitioner (doctor) or a nurse practitioner.
They are responsible for determining and correctly documenting the sequence of conditions that led to the death, which involves:
- Part 1: Listing the sequence of events, starting with the immediate cause of death, followed by the antecedent (preceding) conditions, until they reach the Underlying Cause of Death—the disease or injury that initiated the fatal chain of events.
- Part 2: Listing any significant contributing factors or other conditions that were present but not directly related to the cause of death (for example, a long-term chronic illness).
Crucially, this form must be provided to the funeral director as soon as possible after the death occurs, as this document constitutes permission for the funeral directors to uplift your loved one.