AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
The following information is intended to serve as a practical resource to help guide you through the death of a loved one in Australian Capital Territory. It is never easy when a person dies, and amidst the emotional weight of grief, it can be overwhelming to navigate the necessary steps and decisions. This information aims to provide clear steps, important tasks, contacts, and considerations—helping you focus on what matters most while ensuring essential matters are handled with care. The Australian Home Funeral Alliance provides this information as general knowledge and it is correct at the time of publishing.
Last updated August 2026.
Information provided by Estella Hutchinson of Your Sunset www.yoursunset.com.au
Important things to know about home funeral in the ACT
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In the ACT, there is no specific legislation that governs home funerals and how long a deceased body can be kept at home. However, it is generally accepted that the ACT follows the NSW Public Health Regulation 2022 which stipulates that a deceased person can be kept for 5 days since the date of death for non-funeral directors, provided appropriate cooling protocols are in place.
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With an expected death, if your person dies at home and a doctor agrees to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) they can remain at home. If your person dies within a Canberra Health Service premises or an aged care home, they will arrange the MCCD. The process and time taken varies between sites.
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If a MCCD cannot be completed your person will need to be taken into the care of the coroner. You can learn more about the ACT Coroners Court in the booklet “A guide for family and friends”
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Some facilities are resistant to non-funeral directors collecting deceased persons, you may need to negotiate this in advance of arrival.
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Some crematoria provide booking access via online portals that are only accessible by Funeral Directors.
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If you are using external venues for the service or memorial, check in advance if they allow the coffin to be present, many do not – especially when events are catered.
Transportation
You can transport your person (to home, crematorium, cemetery) provided they are in an approved container. An approved container must:
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Encase the human remains in a material and in a manner that does not permit offensive or noxious emissions or allow matter from the remains to escape from the container i.e. not leak liquids or gases
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Be able to be securely closed before and during transportation
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Be constructed so as not to distort or collapse when handled
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If the person is to be cremated, the container is to be made from material that is suitable for combustion and minimises the release of organochlorines during incineration.​​
Registration of death
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The death registration statement must be lodged with Access Canberra after the burial or cremation has taken place. There is a paper form available if you are not using a funeral director to make the lodgement.
Refer to Access Canberra – Death Registration ​​
Flowchart of Required Paperwork
