What to do when someone dies

 

IN HOSPITAL: The staff will advise you when and from where to collect the Medical Certificate of the cause of death. You will need this before you are able to register the death.

 

AT A RESIDENTIAL/NURSING HOME:  The staff at the Home will inform you where you are able to collect the Medical Certificate of the cause of death from.  This would usually be from the G.P. surgery but it may have been left at the Home. You will need this before you are able to register the death.

 

AT HOME: Please contact your Doctor who will certify that death has taken place and if he or she is able, they will issue the Medical Certificate of the cause of death.  Once the Doctor has attended you will be able to request us to convey your loved one to the our funeral home. This can be arranged at any time of the day or night by telephone.

 

If the death has been referred to THE CORONER please refer to the information in the Coroners section

 

THE REGISTER OFFICE:  Most registrar offices now require you to make an appointment, please telephone for an appointment before attending)

 

Who can register a death: If the person died in a house or hospital, the death can registered by:-

• A relative.

• Someone present at the death.

• An occupant of the house.

• An official from the hospital.

• The person making the funeral arrangements.

 

Deaths that occurred anywhere else can be registered by:-

• A relative.

• Someone present at the death.

• The person who found the body.

• The person in charge of the body.

• The person making the funeral arrangements.

 

Most deaths are registered by a relative. The registrar would normally only allow other people if there are no relatives available.

 

Documents and information you will need:-

 

When registering a death, you’ll need to take the following:-

 

• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (signed by a doctor).

 

You will need to tell the registrar:

 

• The person’s full name.

• Any names previously used, including maiden surname.

• The person’s date and place of birth (town and county if born in UK and country if born abroad).

• Their last address.

• Their occupation.

• The full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner.

• Whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefit.

 

Documents you will receive:

 

If the Coroner is not involved, the registrar will issue you with:

 

• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation GRO21. This must be given to your Funeral Director as soon as possible to allow the funeral to take place.

 

Certified copies of the  Death Certificates you will be able to buy one or more of the Death Certificates at this time. If there are any bank or building  society accounts they will need a certificate as will any insurance and pension companies.

 

The registrar may also issue a Certificate of Registration or Notification of Death for you to send to the Department of  Works and Pensions with any pension or allowance books.