WHAT TO DO WHEN DEATH OCCURS
AT HOMEThe first person to contact is the doctor. If death has been expected he will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death which he could give you when he visits the house or he may ask you to collect from the Surgery later. The doctor will also give his permission for the Funeral Director to call and take the deceased to their Chapel of Rest. You will probably also receive a form detailing the particulars that will be required by the Registrar. If death is unexpected the doctor will inform the Coroner, who will let you know when the necessary certificates are prepared.
IN HOSPITALThe hospital will make available the Medical Certificate of Death and their office will advise when this may be collected and where registration should take place.
AT A NURSING HOMEThe Nursing Home will contact you and inform you where the Medical Certificate of Death may be collected and will probably ask you to contact your Funeral Director as soon as possible so that the deceased may be taken to their Chapel of Rest.
REGISTRATION
A death is generally registered in the district in which it has occurred. The
doctor's Medical Certificate of Death and the deceased's Medical Card (if
available) should be taken to their office. However, it is possible, in certain
circumstances, for a death to be registered (by agreement with the
Registrar) in a district convenient to the person responsible for registration.
The Registrar will need to know the following details:
- The date, place of death, and the deceased's usual address.
- The full name inc. surname (and the maiden surname if the
deceased was a woman who had married).
- The date and place of birth (Town and county; or country if born abroad).
- The occupation (and the name and occupation of the husband if
the deceased was a married woman or a widow).
- Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance
from public funds.
- If the deceased was married, the age of the surviving widow or
widower.
After registration copies (for Insurance, Banks, etc.) can be purchased for a nominal fee.
You will also be given:
A form for burial or cremation which your funeral director needs to carry out your wishes.
A form to send to the Department of Social Security (DSS), to alter DSS pension benefits or widow's benefit or allowance and to claim assistance with the funeral expenses, if necessary.
CORONER'S PROCEDURE
Occasionally circumstances arise that necessitate HM Coroner to investigate a sudden or unexplained death. The Coroner and his officers will keep you fully informed and will advise when and where registration may take place.
There is no need to wait for certificates to be issued before making preliminary arrangements with your Funeral Director and contact should be made with him at an early stage so that, once the Coroner has completed his work, the funeral will not be delayed longer than necessary.
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Click on one of these titles for information on that topic:
- Registration
- Coroners Procedures
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