When death occurs at home
- Telephone the doctor who will visit to confirm that death has taken place.
- The doctor will issue a certificate or tell you where and when it can be collected.
- Contact the funeral director who will visit and take the deceased into their care.
When death occurs in hospital
- Contact the funeral director as soon as you can to inform them that their services will be required.
- Telephone hospital administration to arrange collection of the death certificate.
- Tell the administrator (if you can) whether the deceased is for cremation or burial.
When death is sudden as a result of an accident
- If at home, telephone the doctor who will confirm that death has taken place.
- The doctor will contact local police/coroner’s office.
- The police officer will need to contact the funeral director. The duty one will be called. Please remember that the funeral director is acting for the coroner at this time, the final choice is yours.
- Contact the funeral director of your choice as soon as you can for further advice.
What to do next
- Make an appointment to take the death certificate to the registrar’s office for the area in which the death took place.
- After collecting the green form from the registrar, take it along to the funeral director or telephone for a home visit; they will take over complete responsibility for arranging the funeral.
Following a death reported to HM Coroner, contact the funeral director as soon as possible – do not wait for a certificate to be issued.
