WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES

We offer a 24-hour service so please don’t hesitate to call us at any time, day or night so we can provide support and advise you on the next stages.

At Home

When someone passes away at home, you should first contact their doctor to advise the doctor of the death. The doctor will then visit to formally certify the death.  After the doctor, has attended you should notify us so we can come and transfer your loved one into our care.

At a Nursing Home

If someone passes away in a nursing home, the staff at the home will arrange for a doctor or other qualified professional to certify the death. They will then let you know that you can contact us to arrange for the transfer of your loved one into our care. The nursing home may even call us to arrange our services at this stage. It is important that you inform the home of your nominated funeral director whilst your relative is in their care.

In Hospital

If someone dies in hospital, the hospital staff will arrange for the death to be certified. Some Hospitals will have a Bereavement Services Team to support you. It is important that you tell the hospital which funeral director you wish to use, and whether you are intending to have a cremation. A cremation requires that a second doctor to confirm the death. The hospital will inform you when you can telephone the Registry Office to make an appointment to register the death.

Registering the Death

In all these cases, you must register the death within 5 days with the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the area in which the death occurred. You will need an appointment to register.

When you go to the Registrar you should take with you:

  •              The Medical Certificate of the cause of death. This is given to you                        by the Doctor and is addressed to the Registrar. 
  •              The Medical card of the deceased, if they had one.
  •              National Insurance Number
  •              Marriage Certificate
  •              Any War Pension order book of the deceased.
  •              The Pink Form (Form 100), if one has been given to you by the                           Coroner.
  • You should tell the Registrar:

  •              The date and place of death. The last (usual) address of the                                deceased.
  •              The first names and surname of the deceased and the maiden                            name if the deceased was a woman who had been married. The                        date and place of birth of the deceased.
  •              The town, county and country if born abroad.
  •              The occupation of the deceased and his or her spouse (if they                           were married).
  •              Whether the deceased was receiving a pension or allowance from                     public funds.
  •              If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving                             widow or widower.
  • When you have registered the death, you will be issued with a Death Certificate and a green form, which you should then pass to your Funeral Director. If the death occurred in the Hospital, your Funeral Director will need that green form to allow them to transfer your loved one into their care.

    An Unexpected Death

    If a death is sudden and unexpected and where the deceased has not been seen by a GP within 14 days, whether the death occurs at home or in hospital, the case will normally be referred to the Coroner. This is nothing to be concerned about and happens more often than might be imagined. It is the duty of the Coroner to establish the cause of death. There will be an inquest, which in some cases take place very quickly, in other cases, the inquest is opened and adjourned, a temporary Death Certificate is issued and the hearing is re-opened at a later date. In most cases, the Coroner will release the body to allow a funeral to take place and once the inquest is concluded, the Coroner takes responsibility for formally registering the death.