Death of one member of a pensioner couple 099-02020040

There are cultural issues that need to be considered upon the death of customers from different cultural backgrounds. How a person reacts to the death of a family member may differ depending on the beliefs and attitudes of their specific culture.

For more details, see:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander naming conventions
• Cultural considerations when someone dies

Staff must get enough information to be able to confirm the date of death and identify the adult before a death can be recorded. See Centrelink - Notification, confirming and recording a death.

After a customer dies, Nominee and Power of Attorney (POA):

• arrangements stop
• can no longer get details about the deceased person
• do not automatically become the executor or administrator

A statutory declaration cannot be used as authorisation for access to a deceased person's details. Tell the third party to seek advice from a lawyer, Probate Office or Public Trustee. See Requests for information after someone has died.

The surviving partner may be entitled to financial assistance. See Centrelink - Notification, confirming and recording a death.

When a care receiver dies bereavement assistance may be available to the carer. For more information, see

• Death of an adult or child care receiver and the effect on Carer Payment (CP)
• Death of an adult care receiver and the effect on Carer Allowance (CA)