What to do when someone you love passes away
Who Do I Call First?
When someone you love passes away, call us on 0800 000 929. We will guide you to what to do first and be on hand for you every step of the way.
If the death was expected, such as following a terminal illness or in aged care, call the person's doctor or the facility's on-duty nurse first so the death can be medically confirmed.
If the death was sudden, unexpected, or occurred outside of medical care, call 111 immediately, as police or ambulance staff may need to attend.
Once the death has been confirmed, we talk you through next steps and take care of bringing your loved one into our care whenever you're ready. Give us a call on 0800 000 929.
There is no need to have anything organised before you call us. We are here to help from that very first moment.
What to Do When Your Loved One Dies at Home
If someone dies at home and the death is expected, such as under palliative or hospice care, call their doctor or hospice nurse to confirm the death. There is no need to call an ambulance in this situation.
If the death is sudden or unexpected, call 111 first. Police attend unexpected deaths as a standard procedure, not because anything is wrong - this is simply part of the process in New Zealand.
Once the death has been confirmed, call us on 0800 000 929. We will come to your home in Ruakaka, Waipu, One Tree Point or anywhere in Bream Bay and Whangarei to gently bring your loved one into our care, with dignity and respect for your whanau.
What to Do When Your Loved One Dies in Hospital
If a death happens in hospital, hospital staff will confirm the death and notify the family. Hospital staff will usually ask which funeral home you would like to use.
You can simply give them our name, Whittakers Funerals, and our number, 0800 000 929. From there, we liaise directly with the hospital to arrange the transfer of your loved one into our care.
You are welcome to spend time with your loved one before they are moved, and hospital staff can guide you on this. Once you are ready, call us and we will take care of everything else.
What to Do When Your Loved One Dies in a Rest Home or Care Facility
When someone dies in a rest home or care facility, staff will usually contact the family and the person's doctor to confirm the death. Facility staff will often ask for your preferred funeral director.
You can ask them to contact Whittakers Funerals directly, or call us yourself on 0800 000 929. We work with rest homes and care facilities across Whangarei and Bream Bay, so the transfer is handled smoothly and respectfully.
What Documents Do You Need After a Death?
The main documents needed after a death are medical certification of the cause of death, and information to register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages. A doctor or medical referee provides the medical certification, and we help organise this as part of our care packages.
You will also need to gather some personal details about your loved one, including their full name, date and place of birth, parents' names, marriage details if applicable, and next of kin details. This information is used to register the death and later obtain a death certificate.
We handle the registration of death and all associated paperwork and administration for you as part of our funeral care packages. You will not need to navigate government forms alone; we sit with you and complete this together.
"Highly recommend Whittakers funeral home to take care of your loved one when the time comes. Eldon and Leslee provided the personal touch and compassion that I needed when my husband passed away and they sorted everything I wanted, done with no problems at all." Reanne, Northland
"Highly recommend Whittakers funeral home to take care of your loved one when the time comes. Eldon and Leslee provided the personal touch and compassion that I needed when my husband passed away and they sorted everything I wanted, done with no problems at all." Reanne, Northland
Choosing Between Burial and Cremation
Deciding between burial and cremation is a personal choice, often shaped by family wishes, culture, faith, or what your loved one had expressed during their life. Both options are fully supported at Whittakers.
If your loved one had shared their wishes, either verbally or through pre-planning, this can make the decision easier. If not, we will gently talk you through the options for both Burial Services and Cremation Services, including costs and what each option involves.
Our Family Care Package from $4,950 + GST covers either burial or cremation with a full service. Our Simple Cremation Care Package from $2,800 + GST is available for families who wish for a cremation without a service. You can also view our range of Caskets and Urns to help with this decision.
How Whittakers Funerals Supports You at Every Step
From the moment you call us, we take on the practical and administrative burden so your family can focus on grieving and supporting one another. This includes uplifting your loved one, all documentation, arranging doctor and medical referee paperwork, and organising the funeral service itself.
Eldon and Leslee personally guide many families through this process, having lived and worked in the Whangarei area for over 20 years. We can meet with you at our Ruakaka funeral home, or come to your home if that is more comfortable.
If you would like to understand this process in more detail before you ever need it, we also run free Community Talks explaining what to expect. And if you'd like to make these decisions in advance for yourself or a loved one, our Pre-Planning service can help.
Whatever step you are at right now, please call us. Let us guide you through the next step, gently and clearly.
Common questions answered
Who do you call first When Someone passes away at home?
Call us on 0800 000 929 and we'll guide you. If the death was expected, call the person's doctor or hospice nurse to confirm the death; if it was sudden or unexpected, call 111 first. Once the death is confirmed, call Whittakers Funerals on 0800 000 929 and we will guide you through everything else.
Do I need to call an ambulance if someone passes away at home?
No, if the death was expected under medical or palliative care, you do not need to call an ambulance, only the doctor or hospice nurse. An ambulance or police attendance is generally only needed for sudden or unexpected deaths.
What documents are needed to register a death in New Zealand?
Whittakers Funerals handles this registration and paperwork for you as part of our care packages. You need medical certification of the cause of death along with personal details such as full name, date and place of birth, and next of kin information to register the death with Births, Deaths and Marriages.
How soon do I need to choose a funeral home after someone passes away?
There is no strict deadline, but it helps to contact a funeral home as soon as the death has been medically confirmed so your loved one can be brought into gentle care. You can call Whittakers Funerals any time on 0800 000 929.
What happens if someone passes away in hospital or a rest home?
Hospital or rest home staff will confirm the death and ask which funeral home the family would like to use. You can simply give them Whittakers Funerals' details, or call us directly, and we will arrange the transfer into our care.
Should I choose burial or cremation for my loved one?
The choice between burial and cremation is personal and often depends on family wishes, faith, or what your loved one expressed during their life. Whittakers Funerals supports both options and can talk you through the details, including costs, for burial and cremation.
Whittakers Funerals
25 Kepa Road
Ruakākā
New Zealand
0800 000 929