TRANSPORT THE BODY
& GET A NOTICE OF DEATH
You need to have your loved one’s body moved to a suitable mortuary and acquire a notice of death. A notice of death is a critical piece of paperwork that you need to obtain immediately after the death of your loved one. The notice of death referred to here is not the ‘Death Certificate’ from Home Affairs, (see Obtain a Death Certificate page).
Both the procedures of obtaining a Notice of Death and the transporting of the body to a mortuary are dependent on where and how your loved one died.
DIED IN
HOSPITAL
NATURAL CAUSES
DIED IN
HOSPITAL
UNNATURAL CAUSES
(A suicide, homicide, an accident or as a result of a procedure in hospital for example)
The mortuary will issue a Notice of Death after an autopsy has been performed, as well as a Medical Certificate for Cremation if your loved one’s wish was to be cremated.
Lastly, remember to collect the deceased’s personal belongings.
DIED AT
HOME
NATURAL CAUSES
(After a long illness or heart attack for example)
Copies of the Declaration of Death (DOD) and SAP 180 forms, as well as the deceased’s ID should be given to the Funeral Director. The Funeral Director will then forward copies to the deceased’s family doctor or specialist, who in turn will issue the Notice of Death. The notice of death as well as the Medical Certificate for Cremation (if your loved one’s wish was to be cremated) will be collected by the Funeral Director a day or two later.
An autopsy does not have to be performed in the case of a natural death, but if it will help bring closure, you have the right to arrange for a private autopsy through your chosen funeral home. Ask for costs before you proceed.
DIED AT
HOME
UNNATURAL CAUSES
(A suicide, homicide or an accident for example)
DIED IN
ACCIDENT
IN YOUR
ABSENCE
(Car accident for example)
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust, all come from earth, and to earth all return.
Ashes to ashes,
dust to dust,
all come from earth,
and to earth all return.