Guide to What You Need to Do When Someone Dies

Navigating the immediate aftermath of a loved one's passing can be incredibly challenging, especially when you're dealing with grief. At Cromer and District Funeral Services, we understand these moments are overwhelming. Our aim is to provide a clear guide to the necessary steps, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.

Here’s an outline of different scenarios and how we can assist you:

I. Immediately After Someone Dies: First Steps

The initial actions depend on where and how the death occurs.

1. When Death Occurs at Home (Expected)

• If the deceased was seen by a doctor within 14 days prior to their passing, immediately phone their doctor. An on-call doctor is always available, even outside surgery hours.

• They will ask a few basic questions and then advise you to contact a funeral director, like us, to bring your loved one into our care.

• If this happens out of hours, we will contact the surgery when it opens to inform the deceased’s doctor of the person's location.

• The doctor may need to visit our Chapel of Rest to examine the deceased and issue a Certificate of Cause of Death. Alternatively, during surgery hours, the doctor might come to your home to confirm the cause and give permission for the deceased to be moved.

• The Certificate of Cause of Death may be issued at this time or made available for collection from the doctor’s surgery later.

• The surgery will let you know when the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is available for collection.

• Once you have received the Medical Certificate, you will need to book an appointment at the Registrar’s office.

  
  

• When Death Occurs in Hospital or a Nursing/Care Home

• In a hospital setting, the patient services or bereavement department will handle the official paperwork and arrange an appointment for you to collect the Certificate of Cause of Death from them.

• If the death occurs in a nursing or care home, they will contact the involved doctor or surgery to determine when and where the Certificate can be collected (usually by you from the doctor's surgery).

• In both scenarios, you will need this Certificate of Cause of Death to register the death with the registrars.

• The hospital typically keeps the body in their mortuary until you arrange for it to be transferred to a funeral director's premises or brought home.

• If an MCCD cannot be issued, the hospital will refer the death to the coroner.

3. When Death is Unexpected or Suspicious

   
   

   • If the deceased had not been seen by a doctor within 14 days prior to dying, or if the cause of death is unclear or unnatural, you must telephone the police immediately.

   • The police will act on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coroner and will call their contracted funeral director to take the deceased into the coroner's care for investigation into the cause of death.

   • The Coroner's officer will keep you informed every step of the way.

   • You are not obligated to use the coroner's contracted funeral director. You are free to contact a funeral director of your own choosing, like Cromer and District Funeral Services. Simply let the Coroner's officer know your chosen funeral director so they can contact us when the body is released for funeral arrangements to proceed.

   • There is no need for alarm if a death is reported to the Coroner; this is a normal procedure in these circumstances. The Coroner's officer will guide you through the procedures and the involvement of the pathology team, and will notify you when registration can take place and when your loved one can be released into our care.

     
     

II. Key Official Steps After Verification

Once the death has been verified and the necessary medical certificates are in hand, there are official steps to follow.

1. Register the Death

• You must register the death with the registrar of births, marriages, and deaths within 5 days, unless an inquest is required.

• The medical examiner or coroner will provide the cause of death directly to the registrar.

• Finding a Register Office: While you can go to any register office, it’s best to use one in the area where the person died to receive necessary documents on the same day. Most offices require an appointment, so call in advance.

• Information Needed: You will need to provide specific details about the deceased, including:

• Date and place of death

• Full name (and any other names they used, like a maiden name)

• Date and place of birth (only the country if outside the UK)

• Usual address

• Most recent occupation and retirement status

• Whether they were receiving any benefits (including State Pension)

• Name, occupation, and date of birth of their spouse or civil partner (even if already deceased)

• Documents to Take (if possible):

• Birth certificate

• Medical card or NHS number

• Passport

• Marriage or civil partnership certificate

• Driving licence

• Proof of their address (e.g., an electricity bill)

• What You Will Receive: The registrar will provide you with:

• A certificate for burial or cremation, often called a 'Green Form'.

• A unique code to use the Tell Us Once service.

• A death certificate (for which there is a fee). This is a certified copy of the death register entry and is essential for dealing with the deceased's estate, finances, or property.

• Extra Copies: It’s a good idea to purchase extra copies of the death certificate, as many organisations do not accept photocopies.

2. Tell Organisations and Government Services About the Death

• You must inform certain organisations about the death as soon as possible.

• The Tell Us Once Service: This service, offered by most local councils, allows you to report a death to several government departments in one go. When you register the death, the registrar will explain this service and provide a unique reference number if you wish to use it online or over the phone. This can notify:

• Local services (libraries, electoral services, Council Tax)

• HM Passport Office (you’ll need to return the passport)

• The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) (you’ll need to return the driver’s licence)

• Department for Work and Pensions

• Blue Badge scheme

• HMRC for tax purposes

• Other Organisations to Contact: If Tell Us Once is not available in your area, or for other entities, you should contact:

• Personal or occupational pension scheme providers

• Insurance companies

• Banks and building societies

• Employers or trade unions

• Mortgage providers, landlords, housing associations, or council housing offices

• Social services (if the person received community care)

• Utility companies

• Their GP, dentist, optician, and any other medical care providers

• Any charities, organisations, or magazine subscriptions the deceased paid regularly

• Bereavement Register: You can register the deceased’s name and address with the Bereavement Register to remove their details from mailing lists and stop most advertising mail.

  
  

III. Arranging the Funeral: How Cromer and District Can Help

Arranging a funeral is a deeply personal process, and we are here to support you in making choices that honour your loved one.

1. Checking Wishes and Plans

• The deceased may have left funeral instructions in their will or a letter of wishes.

• They might also have a pre-paid funeral plan, which outlines and covers the arrangements for burial or cremation. These documents will specify which funeral director to contact.

• If no clear wishes are present, the executor of the will or the nearest relative usually decides on the type of funeral and whether it will be a cremation or burial.

2. Working with a Funeral Director (Cromer and District Funeral Services)

• Choosing a funeral director like Cromer and District ensures professional and compassionate support. We are committed to providing transparent pricing and comprehensive services.

• It's good practice to ensure your chosen funeral director is registered with professional associations like the National Association of Funeral Directors or the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.

• When you speak with us, we will provide an itemised quote for the funeral you desire, which will include:

• The funeral director’s services

• The price of individual items, such as a coffin (we offer a range of Caskets, Urns, and Scatter Tubes, and Coffins)

• Transfer of the body from the place of death

• Care of the body before the funeral

• A hearse to the nearest crematorium or cemetery

• All necessary arrangements and paperwork

• There may be additional fees for third parties, known as funeral disbursement costs (e.g., charges from the crematorium or clergy), which are typically paid upfront. We will clearly explain these charges to you.

• We also ensure that all necessary forms are completed by both you and other professionals, including the person’s doctor, handling any associated charges which will then be included