What to do when someone dies

 

We are very aware that many people may have never arranged a Funeral Service before and at a time of loss most will naturally feel very vulnerable and completely out of their depth. As the appointed funeral director we can help to make matters more straightforward, less stressful and less upsetting, by gently outlining the various options available; offering practical help; thereby taking very seriously the trust you have placed with us.

Our core service is to provide caring and practical support, advice and guidance, so you have the time you need to think and decide on the funeral service you require. Our role is to organise and arrange everything in line with the individual wishes of the family. Once you have appointed us, the first step is for us to bring the person who has died into our care, either from their home, care home, hospice, or hospital. Everyone who is in our care is looked after at our premises in Burwash.

Every family we meet is uniquely different in what they require. When you are ready, we would be pleased to learn of your wishes as to the funeral arrangements and to discuss a number of points with you, either at our offices, or if getting to us is difficult, we can visit you at home. If there are aspects of the funeral service the family may wish to undertake themselves; such as bearing the coffin, to preparing the service sheets, then we are totally flexible and our services are tailored to meet the individual needs of each family we look after.

What should I do when death occurs?

This information is for guidance only, however whatever the situation if you are unsure in anyway as to what you should do next please contact us immediately on 01435-882219 (24 hours a day) and one of our team will be able to advise and assist.

In the event of an expected death at …

Home

• Contact the deceased’s doctor’s surgery to advise them that death has occurred. Depending on the time of day the surgery should arrange for a doctor, or suitably qualified person (e.g. registered nurse; hospice nurse; paramedic) to attend to confirm that life is extinct. If death occurs out of hours you will need to follow the pre-recorded instructions given by the surgery.
• Once permission has been given by a suitably qualified person that the deceased can be moved please contact us on 01435-882219 (24 hours) and we will arrange for members of our team to attend to move the deceased into our care.
• The doctor will subsequently issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the family representative for registration purposes.
• Make an appointment at a Registry Office in the county in which the deceased died in order to register the death.
• Please refer to the ‘Registering the Death’ section below for what to take with you when registering.

Nursing Home

• If a resident dies in a nursing home the GP or qualified nurse on duty can verify death has occurred.
• Most nursing homes will record the resident’s wishes on their care plan. This will also specify the chosen Funeral Director and if they are to be cremated or buried.
• With the family’s and doctor’s permission, the deceased can be transferred to the Funeral Director’s care.
• If the resident is for burial or cremation the GP will issue a death certificate for the family/representative to collect normally from the doctor’s surgery to allow them to register.
• Make an appointment at a Registry Office in the county in which the deceased died in order to register the death.
• Please refer to the ‘Registering the Death’ section below for what to take with you when registering.

Hospital

If death occurs in a hospital, the Doctors and Nurses will liaise with the hospital Bereavement/Patient Affairs Office, who will arrange all the appropriate paperwork on your behalf. You should notify the Bereavement/Patient Affairs Office Team which funeral director you have appointed and once the formalities have been completed, they will notify the funeral director when it is appropriate to collect the deceased.

• Contact the hospital Bereavement/Patient Affairs department to make an appointment to collect the Medical Certificate of Death and in some cases also the Release Form you will need to sign to to give to the Funeral Director giving us authority to convey the deceased from the hospital back into our car
• Make an appointment at a Registry Office in the county in which the deceased died in order to register the death.
• Please refer to the ‘Registering the Death’ section below for what to take with you when registering.

Unexpected Death

If a death is unexpected or unexplained dial 999 and request an ambulance and police immediately, explaining the circumstances. In the event of an unexpected death occurring the HM Coroner will become involved and may order a postmortem to be carried out to establish an accurate cause of death. The coroner’s officer will keep you informed should this be the case and will liaise with us.

Please note that the registration of death process in the event of an unexpected death is different to that of an expected death and therefore it is best to talk to one of our team, who will explain the different possible scenarios, depending on the individual circumstances.

Registering the Death

• Where the death is expected registration of the death should be formally registered within 5 working days.
• Registration of the death should take place at a Registrar’s Office in the county in which the death occurred, where possible.
• Please click here to find the name and address of some of the Registrar’s Offices in Sussex and Kent.

Who can register?

• A relative of the deceased
• A person present at the death
• The occupier  – in relation to a public institution if they know of the happening of the death. (i.e. care home manager, matron, superintendent)
• Person causing the disposal of the body

Documentation

Call the Registry Office to make an appointment, please do not turn up without having booked an appointment, as the Registrar will not be able to see you.  You will need to take the following with you:

• The Medical Certificate of Death provided by the authorised Doctor.
• A method of payment to purchase individual death certificates (approx £4.50 each) required to administer the affairs and close the estate of the deceased.
• Medical card (if available)
• Pension Book (if available)
• Birth Certificate & information regarding date of birth (if available)

Information Required to Register

The Registrar will ask for the following information:

• Date and place of death
• Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and home address
• If married, full name and occupation of surviving spouse.

The registrar will then issue you a Green Form which you should give to the Funeral Director to progress with the funeral arrangements.

Where can I register the death?

Please click here to find details of your local Registrar’s Office.

How soon can the funeral take place?

In most cases you should allow 7-10 working days to make all the arrangements and notify family and friends. Our advice is not to rush and for families to try to take time in getting everything sorted, at what is of course an incredibly difficult period in anyone’s lives.  In particular circumstances it may be necessary to complete the funeral within 24 hours of the death. At certain times of the year seasonal factors may directly influence the time in which cremations, in particular can take place, which may result in a longer than normal period before the funeral can take place. Either way, we will endeavour to work to your timescales and will support and advise you in your decisions.