What to Do When Someone Dies in NZ: The Complete Checklist

The first days after a death are overwhelming. You're grieving, and at the same time you're expected to make dozens of decisions and complete administrative tasks that most people have never done before.

This checklist covers the first month — from the immediate hours to the weeks that follow — with the specific New Zealand forms, deadlines, and contacts you need.

Immediate: Within 24–48 Hours

If the death occurred at home: Call a doctor or ambulance if not already present. A doctor must certify the cause of death before the body can be moved. If the death is unexpected, sudden, or the circumstances are unclear, the coroner may need to be notified.

If the death occurred in hospital or a care facility: The hospital will handle the medical certificate of cause of death. Ask for a copy — you'll need it.

Contact a funeral home. The funeral home will collect the body and guide you through the next steps. You don't need to have made decisions about the funeral yet — they can hold the body while you make arrangements. Get at least two quotes if cost is a concern.

Notify immediate family. Before social media or public announcements, make sure close family members hear directly.

Within 3 Working Days: Registering the Death

New Zealand law requires deaths to be registered within 3 working days of the death occurring.

Who registers the death: The funeral director typically handles registration as part of their service. If you're handling arrangements directly without a funeral home, you'll need to register the death yourself.

The form: Use the BDM28 form — the Notice of Death. This is the official registration form. Funeral directors are familiar with it and will complete it on your behalf in most cases.

Where to register: Births, Deaths and Marriages (BDM) offices. You can submit the BDM28 in person or post it. Check the BDM website for current office locations and hours.

What information you'll need:

• Full legal name of the deceased (including any name changes)
• Date, time, and place of death
• Cause of death (from the medical certificate)
• Deceased's date and place of birth
• Usual address
• Occupation
• Names of spouse/partner and parents
• Name of the informant (the person submitting the form)

Getting Death Certificates

You cannot deal with most financial institutions, government agencies, or begin probate without a death certificate. Order more than you think you need — aim for 5 copies minimum.

Cost:

• Official certified copy (hard copy with official stamp): $35
• Printout (acceptable for some purposes but not all): $26

Some institutions — particularly banks, insurance companies, and courts — require the official certified copy. Others accept printouts. When in doubt, use the official copy.

How to order: BDM website (smartstart.births.govt.nz), by phone, or in person at a BDM office. Processing time is typically a few business days for standard orders; urgent processing costs extra.

Within the First Week: Immediate Notifications

These notifications have time-sensitive implications — delay can cost money or create complications.

Work and Income (WINZ)

Notify immediately if the deceased received any benefit, NZ Superannuation, or if the surviving partner receives any payment.

Call 0800 559 009 or visit a local office.

For NZ Superannuation: WINZ will continue paying at the couple's rate for 28 days after death to give the surviving spouse time to adjust. After 28 days, payments adjust to the single rate. The 28-day continuation is not automatic — you must notify WINZ and they will confirm the continuation period.

If you're now eligible for a benefit you weren't receiving before (e.g., Sole Parent Support), notify WINZ so your entitlement can start from the appropriate date.

ACC

If the deceased received ACC payments (weekly compensation, independence allowance, or anything else), notify ACC immediately.

If the death was caused by an accident or covered injury, this is also when you register the ACC claim for survivor benefits — including the funeral grant (up to $7,990.30) and ongoing weekly compensation for surviving spouses and dependent children. Call 0800 101 996.

IRD (Inland Revenue)

Notify IRD of the death and that you're the executor or administrator of the estate.

You can do this by calling 0800 227 774 or through myIR.

Key points:

• The deceased's IRD number continues to be used for the estate until it's wound up
• A final income tax return will need to be filed for the deceased covering from 1 April to the date of death
• If the estate earns income before it's distributed (rent, interest, etc.), the estate itself may need to file returns
• If the deceased was GST-registered, notify IRD and determine whether to deregister

IRD has a dedicated line for deceased estates — ask for the estates team when you call.

Using myTrove for Simultaneous Notification

myTrove is a free government service that lets you notify multiple agencies about a death in one process rather than contacting each separately.

Go to mytrove.govt.nz and follow the steps. myTrove can notify:

• IRD
• ACC
• Work and Income
• Department of Internal Affairs
• NZ Post
• Some banks (participating institutions only)

myTrove doesn't replace all individual notifications — you'll still need to contact banks directly, insurance companies, utilities, and other institutions. But for the government agencies, it's significantly faster than separate calls or visits.

The service is free and available online 24/7. You'll need the death certificate (or registration number) to proceed.

First Two Weeks: Financial and Practical Administration

Cancel or transfer subscriptions and regular payments:

• Direct debits from the deceased's accounts
• Insurance policies (some have built-in death benefits — don't cancel before checking)
• Utilities in the deceased's name — transfer to the surviving occupant
• Phone and internet accounts
• Magazine subscriptions, streaming services, memberships

Banks and financial institutions:

• Notify each bank where the deceased held accounts (sole accounts will be frozen; joint accounts typically continue)
• Ask about the balance in each account — you'll need this information to determine whether probate is required
• Keep one account active (joint or the executor's own) for estate expenses

Locate important documents:

• Original will (if there is one)
• Insurance policies
• Property titles and mortgage documents
• KiwiSaver and superannuation records
• Investment statements
• Any assets held overseas

Notify the deceased's employer (if still working): HR will advise on final pay, any death gratuity, and continuation of any workplace benefits or insurance.

First Month: Longer-Horizon Tasks

Determine whether probate is needed. If there's property in the deceased's name alone, or any financial institution holds more than $40,000, probate is likely required. The filing fee is $269 and processing takes approximately 15 working days. See our full guide on probate in NZ for the details.

Address vehicle registration. If the deceased owned a vehicle, you'll need to re-register it. Use the NZ Transport Agency's (NZTA) process for transferring vehicles from an estate.

Notify LINZ (Land Information New Zealand) if there's real property to be transferred. This typically happens as part of the probate/estate administration process.

Review ongoing entitlements. If you're a surviving spouse or partner, your financial situation has changed. You may now qualify for:

• Higher rates rebate (due to lower income)
• Accommodation supplement
• Disability Allowance if you have health conditions
• Sole Parent Support if you have dependent children

For a complete guide to survivor entitlements in New Zealand — including benefit calculations, the ACC weekly compensation process, and estate administration — the resource at bereavementstartguide.com/nz/survivor-benefits covers the full process with current figures and forms.

A Quick Reference Timeline

The administrative load is real, but it's manageable if you take it one step at a time. Prioritise the time-sensitive notifications — WINZ, ACC, IRD — in the first week. Everything else can follow in an orderly sequence once those are done.

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