1 – Ambulance Services

• Contact A Medical Practitioner Or Emergency Medical Service To Attend Your Location.
• IMPORTANT: The Death Must Be Medically Certified And The Required Death-Notification Documentation Completed.

2 – Police Services (SAPS)

• Contact Your Nearest SAPS Police Station To Report The Death And Allow The Circumstances Of The Death To Be Established.
• IMPORTANT: SAPS Will Advise If Any Further Police Or Forensic Process Is Required.

3 – Funeral Director

• Contact Your Preferred Funeral Director To Respond To Your Location.
• IMPORTANT: The Funeral Director Can Assist With Removal Of The Deceased Once The Required Medical And SAPS Processes Have Been Completed.
• The Funeral Director Will Advise Which Documents Are Required.
• These May Include The Deceased's ID / Passport And The Required Death-Notification Documentation.
• Additional Documents May Be Required Depending On The Circumstances Of The Death.

4 – Family

• Start Contacting The Family And Friends To Notify Them Of The Death.

5 – Funeral Arrangements

• The Funeral Director Will Contact You To Start Planning The Funeral.

1 – Hospital / Hospice / Clinic

• The nurse on duty will contact the family to notify them of the death.
• The family will usually be allowed time to pay their final respects.

What Families Often Don’t Expect

• Families are not always informed upfront how long each step may take,
  which can increase feelings of uncertainty and distress.
• I learned, firsthand, what happens next can feel shocking and confusing.
  The deceased may be moved to a hospital mortuary soon after death.
• Families may be required to formally identify the deceased before the body can be released to a funeral director, depending on the circumstances and facility procedures.
• Funeral directors cannot always collect the deceased immediately.
  There may be waiting periods due to hospital workload,
  staff availability, or after-hours protocols
• Hospital staff may appear focused on procedures and documentation —
  this is a legal requirement, not a lack of compassion.

A Personal Reassurance

• If you feel caught off guard, confused, or emotionally unprepared,
  please know that you are not doing anything wrong.
• Many families only learn these realities while grieving.
• Understanding what happens behind the scenes can help bring
  a small sense of grounding during an overwhelming time.
• At TRIOS, this guidance exists because it has been lived —
  and because no family should feel lost while walking this path.

2 – Funeral Director

• Contact Your Preferred Funeral Director To Respond To The Given Location.
• IMPORTANT: The Funeral Director Will Remove The Deceased's Body.
• Documents They Will Obtain From The Nurse:
• Deceased ID / Passport
• Declaration of Death Form Signed By The Doctor On Duty

3 – Family

• Start Contacting The Family And Friends To Notify Them Of The Death.

4 – Funeral Arrangements

• The Funeral Director Will Contact You To Start Planning The Funeral.

Important Notice: Leave The Scene Undisturbed

• No Moving Of The Body Or Touching Anything Nearby.
• Every Detail At The Scene Is Vital For The Investigation.
• Only Paramedics, Police And Forensic Officers, May Examine The Body.

1 – Ambulance Services

• Contact Your Preferred Ambulance Service To Respond To Your Location.
• IMPORTANT: A Health Practitioner Must Medically Certify The Death And The Required Death-Notification Documentation Must Be Completed.

2 – Police Services (SAPS)

• Immediately Contact Your Nearest Police Station To Respond To Your Location.
• Law Enforcement Will Now Take Charge Of The Scene.
• The Officer In Charge Will Take Down Your Contact Details.
• The Forensic Pathologist Will Be Contacted Once The Investigation Has Been
  Completed, To Remove The Deceased's Body And Be Transported To The Nearest
  State Mortuary, Where They Will Perform A Post-Mortem (To Obtain The Cause Of Death)


• Obtain The Following Information From The Officer:
• SAPS Case Number
• Police Station Details Handling The Case
• Details Of The Investigating Officer


• Should An Officer Insist On Taking The ID Book/Card Of The Deceased,
  Ensure You Have The Full Name, Surname, Station Name And Force Number

3 – Family

• Start Contacting The Family And Friends To Notify Them Of The Death.

4 – Forensics / State Mortuary

• The Family May Be Required To Formally Identify The Deceased At The State Mortuary.
• The Mortuary Or Investigating Authorities Will Advise The Family When And How Identification Must Take Place.
• Once The Forensic Process Has Been Completed And The Body Is Released, The Family Can Arrange With A Funeral Director To Collect The Deceased.

5 – Funeral Director

• Inform Your Preferred Funeral Director To Collect The Body From The State Mortuary.
• They Will Collect All Needed Documentation From The State Mortuary.

6 – Funeral Arrangements

• The Funeral Director Will Contact You To Start Planning The Funeral.

A Gentle Note From TRIOS

• The death of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or birth is a deeply
  personal and painful experience.
• Medical and legal processes may feel overwhelming during this time.
• Your loss matters. Your baby matters.

1 – Medical Care & Confirmation

• The hospital or doctor will confirm the death of the baby and provide medical care.
• Ask what documentation will be issued.
• Hospital staff or a social worker can guide you through the next steps.

2 – Legal Registration (South Africa)

• South African legal definition: A stillbirth is a fetus with at least 26 weeks of intra-uterine existence (or 28 weeks since the last menstrual period) that shows no signs of life after complete birth.
• The Department of Health maternity guideline uses 28 weeks or more as the clinical definition of stillbirth.
• Stillbirths are notified using DHA-1663, and stillborn babies require burial or cremation in accordance with the applicable requirements.
• Where the pregnancy falls below the applicable stillbirth threshold, the hospital or healthcare provider will advise the family on the applicable process and hospital policy.

3 – Family

• Start Contacting The Family And Friends To Notify Them Of The Death.

4 – Funeral Cover & Claims

• Funeral and insurance cover for pregnancy loss varies between insurers and policies.
• Contact your insurer as soon as possible to confirm whether a claim is available and which documents are required.
• Documents may include:
• Certificate of Stillbirth (BI-1663)
• Medical confirmation of gestational age
• Parent’s ID and policy details

5 – Funeral Director

• Where a stillbirth requires burial or cremation, inform your preferred funeral director to assist with the arrangements and collection of your baby from the hospital or mortuary.
• The funeral director will obtain the required documentation from the hospital
  and assist with the necessary arrangements.

6 – Funeral Arrangements

• The Funeral Director Will Contact You To Start Planning The Funeral.

7 – Emotional Support

• Ask the hospital about counselling or social worker support.
• Reach out to trusted family or friends.
• Specialised pregnancy loss support groups are available.
• SANDS South Africa – Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Support.
• Angel Wings Support SA – Miscarriage & infant loss community
• Social workers & counsellors – Emotional support and guidance after pregnancy loss

• Sharing news of a loved one’s passing is one of the hardest conversations you may ever have.
• Each person reacts differently to loss.
• Your role is not to fix their grief — but to be present, sincere, and gentle.

• 1 – Choose a calm, private space. A quiet setting allows the person to receive the news safely.
• 2 – Speak with honesty and kindness. Use clear words: “I have some very sad news… [Name] has died.” Avoid phrases like “gone away” or “passed on.”
• 3 – Pause and allow emotion. Silence is not uncomfortable — it gives space to process.
• 4 – Offer empathy, not solutions. “I can see this is very painful for you.” “I’m here with you.”
• 5 – Respect individual reactions. Disbelief, anger, silence or calm acceptance — all responses are valid.
• 6 – Offer practical support. Help make a call, prepare tea, or simply remain present.

• 1 – Be truthful in gentle language. Avoid saying the person “went to sleep.” Say: “Grandpa died. His body stopped working and he can’t come back.”
• 2 – Encourage questions. Children may repeat questions as they process. Answer simply and consistently.
• 3 – Allow emotional expression. Crying, drawing, silence or play are all normal.
• 4 – Model healthy grief. It is okay for children to see you sad.
• 5 – Keep routine and offer comfort. Familiar structure helps children feel safe.
• 6 – Remember grief can resurface. Birthdays, school events and anniversaries may reopen emotions.

• 1 – Prepare yourself first. Take a breath. Your calm tone provides stability.
• 2 – Ensure they are in a safe place. Ask gently: “Are you somewhere you can sit down?”
• 3 – Speak clearly and directly. “I’m so sorry to tell you this, but [Name] has died.”
• 4 – Pause for silence. Allow the words to settle.
• 5 – Listen without interrupting. “I know this is incredibly hard to hear.”
• 6 – Offer grounding support. Suggest they call someone close if they are alone.
• 7 – Share next steps gently. Explain practical matters slowly and clearly if needed.
• 8 – Close the call with care. “I’ll check in again later today.”

• Losing a loved one is already overwhelming.
• When there are no available funds, the situation can feel even heavier.
• No family should feel ashamed to ask for assistance.
• There are legal and dignified options available in South Africa.

• Funeral homes and crematoriums can only proceed once payment or a valid policy is confirmed.
• If payment cannot be made immediately, arrangements will pause.
• The deceased will continue to be respectfully cared for at a hospital or state mortuary.
• You are not required to resolve everything in one day.

• If a family cannot afford burial or cremation, the local municipality may provide indigent burial or cremation assistance.
• The assistance is subject to the municipality's eligibility requirements and application process.
• The municipality will advise the family what services are included and which funeral service provider will be used.
• Each municipality has its own qualifying criteria and service arrangements.

• Inform the hospital or mortuary that you cannot afford burial or cremation.
• Request information about the local municipal indigent funeral programme.
• You may be asked to provide:
• • The deceased’s ID or Death Notification Form (BI-1663)
• • Your ID (if applying as representative)
• • Proof of financial hardship (if available)
• The case will be assessed by the Municipal Health Department or Social Development office.

• The timing of an indigent burial or cremation depends on the municipality, the application process and the circumstances of the deceased.
• The family will be advised of the burial or cremation arrangements, date and location when these have been confirmed.
• Unclaimed bodies are handled according to the applicable legal and municipal procedures; there is no single nationwide 30–90 day rule.

• Churches, mosques, and religious organisations often assist families in need.
• Burial societies and stokvels can provide emergency funds.
• Community fundraising may help cover basic costs.
• Some NGOs assist low-income families with burial expenses.

• Communicate openly with hospital staff or funeral directors about your financial situation.
• Do not sign documents you do not fully understand.
• Keep copies of all forms and correspondence.
• Consider future planning through an affordable funeral policy or burial society when possible.

• South African law ensures that no one is left unburied.
• Even when finances are limited, every person deserves dignity.
• Help is available — and reaching out early can ease both emotional and practical burdens.