Calling the Undertakers

Constantiaberg Funeral Home offers a 24 hour personal service in case of death. We normally can collect and transfer (remove) the deceased from the place of death, to our private mortuary, within an hour of being called. But please advise if we need to wait for the Doctor, Police, paramedics or family to arrive.  Please describe the geography of your home when calling (access, stairs, lift, double story).  Our team uses a collapsible ambulance stretcher. 

Death at home

If the deceased had a private doctor (GP or specialist) he/she should be called immediately after death.  If the doctor cannot come personally, or authorise the removal, it will be necessary to call the Police (who will issue a SAP 180 form), and paramedics (who will issue a Declaration of Death) – to authorise us to remove the deceased. 

If the deceased was an out-patient of a hospital or clinic (with a file number), or if it is a sudden death without medical history, the Police should be called to confirm that death was due to natural causes, and issue a SAP 180 form.  A Declaration of Death (DOD), issued by paramedics, is also required.

Death in Hospital or Nursing Home

If the person died in hospital, he/she is taken to the hospital’s mortuary or cold room (if there is one), from where we will collect him/her.  Otherwise, we will collect directly from the ward after the nurses have prepared the deceased.

If the person died in a nursing home, the procedures are the same as ‘Death at home’; except that a registered nurse on duty will release the deceased if the private doctor cannot come – in which case the Police and paramedics must be called to authorise the removal.

Deceased taken to State Mortuary 

If the deceased did not have a private or State doctor, or a doctor is not prepared to issue a certificate (maybe saw the patient too long ago), or when there are unnatural circumstances of death, the Police must be called.  The deceased will then be taken to a State Mortuary. A relative (with own and deceased’s ID) will need to identify him/her there, and will be given a release letter.  This letter and the deceased’s ID must be handed over to the funeral directors –  who will remove the deceased after a post mortem examination or medical enquiry has been completed.

Other considerations 

• We need to be informed immediately if there is the possibility that the patient suffered from an infectious disease – so that our team can take necessary precautions.
• If the deceased has been taken to another funeral parlour, not of your choice, you can instruct us to transfer him/her from there. 
• Donation of tissue (cornea, heart, skin and bone tissue), or of the body of the deceased to medical science, needs to be discussed and actioned ASAP after death