First Steps
In the event of a loved one’s death, it can be daunting thinking of all the things you need to do. You may have never dealt with death before. We’re here to reassure and guide you along the way. You don’t need to face this alone, we can help. See below for what you should do based on the relevant situation.
How It Works
To make things as easy as possible, we have broken the process down into 4 easy to follow steps. Please get in touch as soon as possible and we can help you with this.
Call the Doctor
Depending on the circumstances, and time of day. A doctor or nurse will attend to confirm the death. This must be done as soon as possible and is a legal requirement before we can get involved.
Call Us
Call us as soon as possible so we can assist and give you the practical advice you need. We can help make the necessary arrangements for you or point you in the right direction.
Register the Death
You must register the death via your local registrar, see below for what you will need. We can give you the details for you nearest registrars office.
Give a Proper Send-Off
We will work with you to understand what you and your loved ones want and make a truly personal funeral service for you to give the best send-off possible.
DEATH AT HOME
When a loved one passes away at home, it is a difficult and emotional time. There is a lot to organise, from your first contact with us, we will gently guide you on the next steps.
The doctor will issue the death certificate or if the death has occurred out of hours, a locum doctor or attending nurse will issue a letter attesting to the fact death has occurred. This will allow our first response care team to convey your loved one into our care. The death certificate can be collected from the surgery during normal opening hours.
Call us on 01383 871001 and we will gently guide you on what needs to be done to help you to start making the necessary arrangements.
SUDDEN OR UNEXPECTED DEATH
When someone dies suddenly as the result of an accident or in a situation where the deceased’s GP feels unable to issue a death certificate, the death and the circumstances surrounding will become a matter for the Procurator Fiscal.
Usually, the Procurator Fiscal or their representatives, the police, will engage a contracted undertaker to convey the deceased to the mortuary. A post-mortem may be required. Once the Procurator Fiscal’s enquiries have been completed, a death certificate will be issued.
If a family intend cremation they should notify the Procurator Fiscal. Even if the death has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal, early contact with us is strongly recommended so that we can advise and guide you on the various procedures.
DEATH IN HOSPITAL OR PROFESSIONAL CARE
When a loved one passes away in a hospital, hospice or professional care, the duty doctor will complete the death certificate. Normally, your loved one will be removed to the mortuary at the hospital or care home.
In the event that the care home does not have a mortuary or chapel of rest, we have our own facilities and we will look after your loved one until the time of the funeral.
Registration of a Death
Please telephone or email the appropriate Registry Office to make an appointment. Apart from the death certificate, Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD or Form 11), you should also provide the Registrar with the deceased’s birth certificate and their marriage or civil partnership certificate (if appropriate). If the deceased’s medical card is available, please also provide this. If the deceased held a Driver’s Blue Disability Badge, this should be surrendered at this time. Should any or none of these be available, still proceed to the Registrar.
You will be asked to provide the deceased’s:
- full name,
- date and place of birth,
- parent’s names (including mother’s maiden name),
- full name of spouse or partner if appropriate,
- their last occupation.
Registrars operate a ‘Tell us once’ system. They automatically inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and other official departments that the death has taken place. During the procedure, the clerk will issue a Form 14 which goes to the funeral director. Copies of extract of entry of death for probate, insurance or administration of a Will can be purchased at this time.
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