Bereavement
When someone dies it is often hard to know what to do.
The surgery is always available for advice but here are some practical steps that may help.
If someone dies at home
Telephone the GP surgery who will visit and verify that the death has taken place. If the GP surgery is closed you should phone 111. The GP will organise a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The MCCD is then sent electronically by the GP surgery to the Registrar’s office. Once the death is verified, contact a funeral director at any time and explain the situation to them. They will then visit, take the deceased into their care and provide advice about how to register the death and obtain a death certificate from the Registrar's office.
If someone dies in hospital
Contact your funeral director and let them know that their services are required
Speak to the hospital administrator regarding the death certificate and advise them whether the deceased is for burial or cremation.
When a death is sudden or as a result of a road accident
If at home, advise the doctor who will visit, confirm the death and advise the local police and/or coroner. For more information, please visit the When a death is reported to a coroner page on the gov.uk website.
The police officer will contact the duty funeral director.
The duty funeral director is acting for the coroner at this stage.
You should contact the funeral director of your choice so that he can take over on your behalf. There is no need to wait for the certificate to be issued
In all cases
You will need to make an appointment with the registrar's office to register the death and obtain the death certificate. If possible take the deceased’s birth certificate with you. The registrar will also issue you with a green form. Take the green form to the funeral director or arrange for it to be collected and they will then take over responsibility for arranging the funeral.
Useful Websites
- What to do when someone dies (Government Website)
- Coping with bereavement (NHS Website)
- Cruse bereavement care
- Bereavement advice centre
- When a death is reported to a coroner (Government Website)
- National Association of Funeral Directors
- Bereavement support during COVID-19 (NHS Website)