When someone dies
It can feel like a shock, when someone dies, even when the death is expected. There's no need to rush into making decisions - take the time you need.
Below is some advice and practical steps to help guide you to know what to do.
Or, you can call us with any questions on 01803 840779 or 01364 643522.
First Steps
There are different things you’ll need to do, depending on where the person has died.
At home
When a person dies at home, a medical professional will need to verify (certify) their death.
Call the person’s GP, or Out of Hours, and they will send someone. This could be the person's usual GP, the on-call doctor or a nurse. Paramedics can also verify a person's death.
There is then no rush to call a funeral director. It is completely normal and safe to keep a person at home, for as long as you wish. When you feel ready, call us on: 01803 840779 or 01364 643522.
We cannot bring the person into our care until verification has taken place. After verifying, the GP / nurse / paramedic will send a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death directly to the Registry Office.
At a hospice or care home
When a person dies in a hospice or care home, a medical professional will need to verify (certify) their death. The care staff will organise this.
The medical professional who verifies the death will send the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death directly to the Registrar.
Once the doctor has seen the person who has died, the hospice or care home may require that we collect them straight away.
In hospital
If the person has died in hospital you'll be supported by the bereavement team who will arrange the necessary paperwork. The person who has died will usually be cared for in the hospital mortuary until a funeral director is appointed.
If you choose to appoint us, we'd then contact the hospital to make arrangements in order to bring the person into our care.
If a death is unexpected
In the case of an unexpected death it is likely that the police or ambulance services will be involved and, after that, the coroner. The coroner may request a post-mortem or an inquest.
The coroner's process can take some time and we will support and advise you if this is the case. We won’t be able to confirm a date or time for the funeral until the coroner has finished their investigations.
You can also find some useful advice and guidance on the UK Government website, here: