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.
• In government hospitals, families are required to formally identify the body
  before a funeral director may collect the deceased.
• 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: Paramedics Must CONFIRM THE DEATH And Issue
  The DECLARATION OF DEATH FORM (Request Your Copy)

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

• You Will Receive A Call From The State Mortuary, To Go And Identify The Body.
  Once The Post-Mortem Has Been Completed, The State Mortuary Will Inform You,
  To Arrange With Your Preferred Funeral Director, To Collect The Body .

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)

• 26 weeks or more: Registered as a stillbirth.
• You will receive a Certificate of Stillbirth (BI-1663).
• A burial order will be issued for funeral or cremation arrangements.
• Before 26 weeks: The death is not legally registered.
• Parents may still choose a private memorial or symbolic service.

3 – Family

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

4 – Funeral Cover & Claims

• Most insurers only provide cover from 26–28 weeks of pregnancy.
• Contact your insurer as soon as possible.
• Documents may include:
• Certificate of Stillbirth (BI-1663)
• Medical confirmation of gestational age
• Parent’s ID and policy details

5 – Funeral Director

• This section applies to stillbirth at 26 weeks or more.
• Inform your preferred funeral director to collect your baby from the hospital 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 no funds are available, the local municipality may provide an indigent funeral.
• This service is free of charge to qualifying families.
• A municipally appointed funeral undertaker will handle the burial.
• Burial takes place in a designated municipal cemetery in a standard coffin.
• Each municipality has its own qualifying criteria.

• 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.

• Once approved, funerals are generally arranged within 7–14 days.
• Families may be informed of the burial date and location.
• If a body remains unclaimed for an extended period (usually 30–90 days), it may automatically proceed as an indigent burial.

• 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.