When you have just suffered a bereavement, the thought of planning a funeral can be daunting, especially as it may not be something you’ve done before.
We would recommend that you contact us as soon as you feel able as we will guide you through all that needs to be done. What happens differs slightly depending on where and how a death occurs.
The hospital bereavement officer or member of nursing staff will speak to you and arrange for a hospital doctor to issue the Medical Certificate which will then need to be taken to the Registrar.
If the appointment with the registrar has not been made by the hospital bereavement officer, we will make an appointment on your behalf or advise you of the registrar’s telephone number, and give you any guidance you will need regarding registration and the wider funeral arrangements.
We may ask whether the funeral is to be a burial or a cremation, this is simply because we will need to request additional documentation from the hospital on your behalf.
When the death takes place at home you must notify your doctor’s surgery. The doctor or paramedic will need to make a visit in the first instance. You will then need to contact us so that we can attend and respectfully move your loved one to our chapel of rest. The doctor will normally issue the Medical Certificate for you to take to the Registrar, although this is not normally available until the following day.
A member of the nursing staff will contact the doctor’s surgery on your behalf. We will then attend to move your loved one to our chapel of rest. After this we will contact you to guide you through what happens next.
When someone dies unexpectedly it is perfectly normal for the police to attend; they are there on behalf of the Coroner to collect information. Your loved one will be moved to a local hospital into the care of the coroner so that further investigation may take place.
It is best that you contact us as soon as you feel able. We will liaise with the Coroner’s Officer on your behalf and guide you through the process, keeping you fully informed and supported, ensuring everything happens as you and your loved one would wish.