After someone has died you may feel in a state of shock and disbelief. It is not unusual when one is feeling like this to find that it is hard to remember everything that needs to be done. We hope that this information will help you through the practicalities over the next few days.
What you need to know in times of bereavement
Our services to you start when you contact us, whether by telephone or calling in personally, and will often extend far beyond the day of the funeral. On initial contact we will ask for preliminary details and will arrange the conveyance of the deceased to our private chapel.
We will then arrange to call at a time and place to suit the family, to make arrangements with you that meet the needs and requirements of those concerned. There are some practical things that need to be attended to immediately. It may be helpful for you to invite a relative or a friend to accompany you as you carry out the following important tasks.
Registering a death
In normal cases the death has to be registered within 5 days at the register office for the district in which the death occurred.
If death occurs at home
As soon as possible inform the Doctor that the death has occurred. He/she may write out the medical certificate of Death (which is required to register the death) when he/she visits the house, or may request you attend the surgery for this purpose.
When death occurs in hospital
When death happens in hospital the procedure is very similar. Apply to the hospital for the medical certificate of death and not your family Doctor.
When the coroner is involved
In cases where the death has been reported to the Coroner the procedure is somewhat different. The Coroner and his officers are working in your interest. No Doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Death. The Coroner will send this to the Registrar’s Office in the district where the death occurred, after contact has been made with the Coroner’s office.
It is important to note that when a death has been referred to the Coroner the funeral arrangements may take longer than normal due to various circumstances. The Coroner’s Officer and ourselves will keep you update during this process.
