When someone dies, most people don’t know what to do next. In Australia, the process involves dozens of legal, financial, and practical steps — often during a time of shock and grief.

This is exactly why Catherine Ashton created Critical Info, to replace confusion with clear, step-by-step guidance.

The steps required after a death are:

• unfamiliar
• time-sensitive
• emotionally overwhelming

And yet, families are expected to navigate them alone.

What actually needs to happen (simplified)

The first 24 hours

• Confirm the death (doctor, hospital, or emergency services)
• Contact a funeral director
• Notify key family members
• Check for immediate support

You may also need to:

• notify the Coroner
• consider organ donation wishes
• arrange an interim death certificate

The days and weeks following

• Secure the home and belongings
• Arrange care for pets or dependents
• Locate key documents (Will, insurance, banking)
• Notify employers, schools, and services

Funeral and ceremony decisions

• Burial, cremation, or alternative options
• Budget and logistics
• Cultural or spiritual requirements

Estate administration

• Identify assets and debts
• Apply for probate (if required)
• Close accounts and distribute assets

Final steps

• Cancel subscriptions
• Manage social media and digital accounts
• Finalise financial and tax matters

Why this feels so hard

Because it’s not just grief — it’s administration layered on top of grief.

The checklist alone spans:

• legal decisions
  financial tasks
  digital management
  emotional support

And most people are doing this for the first time.

The missing piece: clear navigation

At Critical Info, we’ve turned this complexity into a structured, step-by-step system, including:

• a practical checklist covering every stage
• guided prompts so you don’t miss anything
• clear decisions at each step

As noted in the Critical Info Checklist, even knowing:

• who the decision-maker is
• where documents are
• and who to contact can significantly reduce stress

A simpler way to navigate this

If you’re currently dealing with a death, or want to be prepared, the after-death guide:

My Loved One Has Died, What Do I Do Now?

was created specifically to:

• reduce overwhelm
• guide you step-by-step
• support you through every stage

It’s not just information — it’s navigation when you need it most.

Final note

You are not expected to know all of this.

As Catherine Ashton says:

“This is not an easy time — even the smallest step forward deserves recognition.”