Faq's

• When Someone Dies
  • Q. What do I need to do when someone dies?
  • Q. What happens when someone dies unexpectedly?
  • Q. How long does it take for a deceased to be released to the funeral directors after a post-mortem?
  • Q. What is a post-mortem or autopsy?
• About Embalming
  • Q. Does the body have to be embalmed?
  • Q. Why is embalming done?
  • Q. What sort of clothing does the deceased need?
  • Q. How much make-up is applied to the deceased?
• About Funeral Directors
  • Q. Do we need to use funeral directors?
• Viewing the deceased
  • Q. Is viewing the deceased recommended?
  • Q. Should children be allowed to view?
  • Q. How should the viewing process be handled?
  • Q. Can adults learn anything from children?
• The Funeral Service
  • Q. What things need to be considered when planning a funeral service?
  • Q. Should the family use a minister or a celebrant?
  • Q. Is there such a thing as funeral etiquette?
  • Q. What is the funeral procession?
  • Q. Should the funeral be an intimate or grand affair?
  • Q. Can I be confident Mannings are familiar with the customs/funeral rites of my specific religion?
• About Ashes
  • Q. What container are the ashes returned to the family in?
  • Q. Can I be sure the ashes that are returned to me are those of my family member?
  • Q. Can families scatter ashes wherever they like?
  • Q. How soon after the funeral should the family make a decision about the placement of ashes?
• Costs and Formalities
  • Q. How do I get a death certificate?
  • Q. What is the cost of a funeral?
  • Q. Where do I obtain funeral insurance?
  • Q. How do I organise a Prepaid Funeral

What happens when someone dies unexpectedly?

This situation may occur through an accident, suicide or someone being found dead without any warning of prior illness. When this happens, the death becomes a “coroner’s case” and the death is immediately reported to the Police, or, if an ambulance has been called and they attend, the St John staff will notify the Police. This is often a traumatic situation for families having to deal with so many different people, along with the sudden death of a family member. Once the Police have attended and an official identification of the deceased has taken place, the Police will call a Police doctor who will confirm life extinct. The Police will then contact a duty funeral director who has the Police contract for that area to transfer the deceased to the mortuary (in this case, the Auckland City Hospital Mortuary) where a post-mortem (also known as an autopsy) will be conducted.

NOTE: IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE FAMILY IS NOT OBLIGED TO USE THE FUNERAL DIRECTORS WHO TRANSPORTED THE DECEASED TO THE MORTUARY AFTER A SUDDEN DEATH, BUT CAN CHOOSE ANYONE THEY WISH TO. THE INITIAL ATTENDING FUNERAL DIRECTORS ARE ENGAGED BY THE POLICE ON A CONTRACT BASIS ONLY TO EFFECT THE TRANSFER OF THE DECEASED.