What To Do After Someone Dies

Please see below a guide to the usual procedures involved after someones death.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES IN HOSPITAL:
When someone dies in hospital, hospital staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate Of Cause Of Death which you need to collect, along with any belongings from the hospital.

If the funeral is to be a cremation, please advise the hospital staff so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
Contact us and we will make further necessary arrangements.

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES AT HOME OR A NURSING HOME:
When someone dies at home or in a nursing home the first contact should be with the deceased's doctor who, if satisfied with the cause of death will issue the Medical Certificate of Death.

In most cases you will be asked to collect the certificate from the surgery. After registration the green certificate for cremation or burial must be given to the funeral directors.

Copies of the Death Certificate to administer the deceased's affairs are £11.00 each. These are for the Bank, Building Society or Solicitor.

Photocopies are not accepted.

When someone dies unexpectedly, the Coroner is usually involved. If the deceased has not been under a doctor’s care on a regular basis, the death could be reported to the Coroner, and it will be decided if there is to be an investigation into the circumstances of the death.

BRINGING YOUR LOVED ONE INTO OUR CARE:
Once a death certificate has been issued we can collect your loved one and bring them into our care.

You may find it helpful and reassuring to know of our procedures, when we are called upon to bring your loved one into our care.

It is done with the utmost dignity and respect. We have our fully fitted private ambulance. We use a modern lightweight removal stretcher, pillow and cover, disposable sheets and identity bracelets.

Two of our trained and experienced staff will attend. When we are called to for example, to a private house or nursing home, a check is made with you or staff at the nursing home for any jewellery worn and we ascertain if it should it stay on, or be removed.

Obviously we have a rigorous checking system in place at all stages of our care. It starts from the very beginning, to viewing in the chapel of rest, and to the closing of the coffin on the day of the funeral.

A minimum of two staff members, usually the hearse driver and Funeral Director witness the closing for identification and any jewellery for the last time, and sign the final record.

ORGANISING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Please see our information about our Cremation and Burial Funerals: