What to do when someone passes away

 

Passed away at home
If the person has been ill for some time and the death was relatively expected, then the first thing you should do is contact their GP (or the on-call doctor if out of surgery hours). The doctor will then visit you as soon as possible to certify the death. Once this has been done you can contact us at any time of the day or night and we will discuss the various options available to you (e.g. transferring the deceased to our Private Chapel of Rest). We will then arrange a suitable time to meet with you to make the necessary arrangements and advise you on the procedure for registering the death.

 

Passed away in Hospital
If the person has passed away in hospital then the staff will inform the appropriate person to certify the death and take care of the deceased You may then contact us to arrange a suitable time for us to meet with you to make arrangements and advise you on the procedure for registering the death. We will also liaise with the hospital to arrange the necessary paperwork.

 

Passed away in a Nursing/Care Home
If the person has passed away in a Nursing Home or Care Home then the senior member of staff will contact the GP of the deceased (or the on-call doctor if out of surgery hours) who will visit the Care Home to certify the death. Once this has been done you may contact us at any time of the day or night. We will then transfer the deceased to our Private Chapel of Rest (most care homes require this to be done as soon as possible). We will then arrange a suitable time to meet with you to make the necessary arrangements and to advise you on the procedure for registering the death.

 

Passed away suddenly or unexpectedly
If someone passes away suddenly or unexpectedly the case will be referred to the coroner, the coroners officer will be in contact with you to keep you informed of developments but we suggest that you contact us as soon as possible so that preliminary arrangements can be made before permission is given for the funeral to take place, we will then advise you on the procedure for registering the death.