Ask ELUMMA in your own words

Ask practical Australian questions — planning ahead, helping a parent, funerals, Wills, probate, deceased estates, aged care or grief. Plain-English answers with links to official sources.

Ask ELUMMA
Hi, I'm Ask ELUMMA. I'm here to help you understand what to do before or after someone dies in Australia — in plain English, using verified sources, and I'll tell you when I'm not sure. Ask me anything, or tap a suggestion below.
I’m struggling to concentrate since the death.
It is completely normal to feel overwhelmed and unable to concentrate while grieving. Please be kind to yourself during this time, and remember that free, confidential support is available to listen and help you talk through what you are feeling.
What to do next
  1. Call a support service like Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Griefline on 1300 845 745 for immediate, compassionate support.
  2. Prioritise your basic needs, like rest and hydration, while managing only the most urgent tasks.
  3. Look at the free support services listed below, which include organisations that can offer further guidance and help.

Would you like me to find the contact details for other specific support services?

Services that may help

Choose a service below. Verified free help is listed first, and ELUMMA clearly shows when a service is free and when fees may apply.

Verified free help
Australian Red Cross — Red Cross Shops
FREE
Charity donation — drop-off
Who it’s for: Open to everyone. Items need to be clean and in usable condition. What each shop can accept, and whether it offers collection, varies by location.

Red Cross Shops accept good-quality clothing and smaller household items. Proceeds support Red Cross programs in Australia.

Australia-wide
Community Legal Centres Australia
FREE
Free local legal advice and casework
Who it’s for: Eligibility and services vary by centre. Use the national finder to locate your nearest centre and check what they offer.

Find a local community legal centre. Most provide free legal advice and some casework, especially for people who cannot afford a private lawyer. Services vary by centre.

Australia-wideELUMMA checked 2026-09-05 · CLCs Australia official website
GIVIT
FREE
Donation matching — furniture, whitegoods, clothing and household items
Who it’s for: Anyone can offer or request goods. Requests are verified through partner charities and support services.

Matches donated goods and services to people who need them, through registered charities and support organisations. You can list what is needed or what is available — including furniture, whitegoods, clothing and household items. Useful when you want good household goods to reach someone who needs t

Australia-wide

Website buttons open another site. Check prices and availability directly. External results come from Google Places and have not yet been verified by ELUMMA. Payment never changes ELUMMA’s guidance or organic results.

Sources for this answer
Griefline
Australia-wideLast checked 2026-09-08
Open source

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Ask ELUMMA gives general information only — not legal, financial or medical advice. Answers are not influenced by paid partners, and commercial options (when shown) are clearly labelled.

Common Australian questions

You can ask ELUMMA about anything in your own words. These are the topics people ask about most — open one to read the guidance, or ask your own question above.

ELUMMA gives general information only, and always points to the official Australian source so you can check the details. Wills, probate, intestacy and aged-care rules differ between states and territories.