What to do as soon as you become aware of the passing.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY

Deaths are classified into two categories, natural and unnatural deaths. The procedure followed with each differs.

Natural deaths occurs when a person passes away from either illness, disease or age.

A paramedic, but not the SAPS, have to be called to where the death has occurred.
Immediately inform East Rand Funeral Directors who will dispatch a trained staff member to assist you with all necessary information and advice.
The paramedic will declare the death and hand the declaration to the East Rand Funeral Directors staff member who will transport the deceased person to our facility to be cared for.
In a nursing facility, such as a hospital or a home for the aged, the declaration must be issued by a medical practitioner, therefore there is no need to contact a paramedic. The medical practitioner will provide East Rand Funeral Directors with the necessary documentation to obtain a death certificate, amongst others.
It is important that the medical practitioner knows the medical history of the deceased person, otherwise the doctor will not be able to complete the necessary documents. East Rand Funeral Directors will then have a private autopsy done by the district surgeon who will then issue these documents. This will be at the expense of the next of kin.

Unnatural deaths occurs as a result of an accident, crime, suicide or suspicious circumstances. Paediatric deaths, aged 16 years and younger, are also classed as unnatural.

A paramedic, and the SAPS, have to be called to where the death has occurred. The paramedic will declare the death and hand the declaration to the SAPS who then have to conduct an investigation.
The deceased person will be taken by the SAPS to the nearest government forensic facility where an autopsy will be conducted the following day.
Immediately notify East Rand Funeral Directors of the death and we will appoint a representative to physically assist you with the identification of the deceased the following day preceding the collection of the deceased person.
The pathologist who conducts the autopsy will supply East Rand Funeral Directors with all the necessary documentation and there is therefore no need to involve another medical practitioner.
No person can object to an autopsy being done.