Funeral Information
When do I contact a qualified Funeral Director?
As soon as you feel ready to do so. A Funeral Director who has studied and worked to earn the professional qualification will have knowledge and experience to offer you the best possible advice and service. By choosing to appoint a qualified Funeral Director you can be sure that your arrangements are in safe hands. Early contact with your chosen Funeral Director is advisable to ensure that you have time to make decisions without haste, and can consider and discuss all options with other family members or friends. A funeral can be a very memorable and special tribute, but it needs careful planning if it is to be memorable for the right reasons. There is no need to obtain certificates before you start to make preliminary arrangements with your Funeral Director.
What to do when death occurs
At home - make contact with the deceased's GPO as soon as possible. He may issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. when he visits the house or may ask you to collect this from his surgery. The doctor will wish to arrange for the necessary certificates to be completed.
In hospital - The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be made available to you by the hospital. The office dealing with these matters will advise you when it is ready to be collected and will indicate where you go to register the death. They may also make an appointment for you.
At a nursing home - The nursing staff will ask you to appoint a Funeral Director in order that the deceased may be moved to a chapel of rest once the doctor has been informed and given his permission. The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death may be left at the nursing home for you to collect or you may be asked to collect it from the surgery.
Away from home - If the deceased was not treated in hospital, was not under the care of a doctor or died suddenly, the matter will almost certainly be referred to HM Coroner. The Coroner's procedure is dealt with later, but it is advisable to make early contact with a Funeral Director.
Registration of death
The death will need to be registered at the Registrars' Office for the area in which the death has occurred.
Coroner's Procedures
There are occasions when it is necessary for HM Coroner to investigate any sudden or unexplained death.
The Coroner and his Officers are working in your interest and will keep you informed of their progress. You can contact a Funeral Director to discuss making funeral arrangements as soon as you feel ready to do so.
The Coroner will liaise with the Funeral Director to ensure that ample time is allowed for the Coroner's enquiries to be completed in order for the funeral to proceed.
People you will need to contact or notify
- Family, friends and relatives (remember those living abroad may wish to come to the funeral)
- Church (there may be members of church groups known to the deceased who would like to attend the funeral)
- The deceased's employer
- DSS (You will need to return Pension or Benefit books, together with the certificate issued by the Registrar)
- Bank, Insurance Company and Building Society
- Social Services (meals on wheels, home help and medical loan equipment (wheel chairs etc.))
- Solicitor, Accountant and Financial Advisor
- Inland Revenue
- Driving Licence (change ownership on registration documents)
- Hospital (out patients appointments, community nurse)
- Council or private landlord (of rented accommodation)
- Gas, electricity and water companies (if the property will be unoccupied)
- Post office (to redirect mail)
- Passport office (to cancel or change from dual to single)
- Tradesmen (newsagent, milkman etc.)
- Television Licence (if deceased was living alone)
- Library (to return books)
- Clubs (such as Rotary, Women's Institute, bowls etc.)
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