What Happens if There’s a Death in a Home (Sydney / NSW)
29 September 2025
When someone dies at home in New South Wales (including Sydney), there is clear procedural pathways to follow. This guide explains each step, who is involved, and why, so readers know what to expect, what’s mandatory, and what’s discretionary.
1. Discovery & Emergency Call
Someone (family, neighbour, carer) finds the person unresponsive and calls 000 for an ambulance and police.
Paramedics will attend to confirm whether the person is deceased or needs medical aid.
Police will always attend in cases of unexpected or unattended death.
Why: The law requires that any sudden, unexplained or unattended death be properly handled and reported to authorities.
2. Police Classification: Suspicious or Natural / Non-Suspicious
If there is any sign of foul play, violence, accident, or suspicious circumstances, the police will treat it as a potential crime scene.
If there are no suspicious signs and the person was under medical care, police may classify it as non-suspicious.
Even when it seems natural, a death might still be referred to the Coroner if certain conditions apply (for example, no medical certificate of cause, or death was unattended).
Why: To protect against hidden criminal actions and ensure legal oversight of every death that could be ambiguous.
3. Referral to the Coroner (Mandatory Reporting)
Under the Coroners Act 2009 (NSW), certain deaths must be reported to the Coroner.
Police, ambulance, health professionals must report deaths that are unexpected, “unnatural,” or unexplained.
If the Coroner accepts jurisdiction, the deceased is taken into the custody of forensic medicine or the hospital for examination.
Why: The Coroner must medically and legally determine cause and circumstances in certain categories of death—it’s part of NSW’s legal accountability.
4. Initial Steps & Admission to Coroner’s Custody
In Sydney, the deceased is typically taken to the Forensic Medicine Service at Lidcombe until the Coroner decides whether examination (autopsy) is needed.
The senior next-of-kin is contacted (often within 24 hours) and may be asked to formally identify the person and provide background medical or lifestyle history.
The Coroner’s staff may also support the family with information.
Why: These steps maintain legal chain of custody, identification, and ensure the family is involved appropriately.
5. Investigation & Examination
The Coroner (or their delegate) will decide what investigations are needed. Options include:
• Reviewing medical records and circumstances of death
• Witness statements from family, neighbours, doctors
• Specialist expert reports (pathologists, toxicologists, engineers, etc.)
• A post mortem / autopsy (if necessary) to determine internal causes.
The Coroner reviews all of this evidence.
If needed (for unresolved or contested issues), the Coroner may conduct an inquest (a court-style hearing).
Why: The Coroner must legally determine who died, where, when, how, and whether further public hearing is needed.
6. Coroner’s Decision & Release or Inquest
Once evidence is sufficient, the Coroner issues a finding (cause, manner, etc.). In many cases, no inquest is needed.
If an inquest is held, a formal finding is delivered after the hearing.
After the Coroner’s final decision, the body may be released to the family’s nominated funeral director.
Why: Until the Coroner signs off, no funeral or burial/cremation can legally proceed.
7. Property Clearance & Forensic Cleaning
While the Coroner / police investigation is ongoing, access to the property may be restricted (sealed or police cordon).
Once cleared (i.e. no further need for evidence collection), the family or landlord may access the property.
If there is blood, bodily fluids, decomposition, or hazardous contamination, a forensic cleaning team should be engaged to make it safe.
All such remediation must comply with NSW health / biohazard / work health & safety laws (e.g. safe disposal, PPE, disinfection standards).
Why: To protect health and legal liability, and because health authorities or insurers often require professional remediation.
8. Funeral & Final Steps
After the body is released, a funeral home collects it and makes arrangements (burial, cremation, memorial).
Any relevant documentation (death certificate, coronial report) is provided to the family.
In some cases, if the cause points to a criminal act or public safety issue, the Coroner may make recommendations (though they are not legally binding) to prevent similar deaths in the future.
