Bereavement support
In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;
- Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
You can use the ‘register a death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Medical examiners
The Medical Examiner Service has been introduced in England and Wales to increase understanding and peace of mind for families, as well as to improve learning and patient safety by providing a review of care. Following the death of your relative/friend, the doctor who is completing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will discuss this with the Medical Examiner.
The Medical Examiner is an independent senior doctor who will review the relevant medical records to establish the cause of death and ensure that care was provided appropriately. They will direct the doctor to refer to the Coroner if further investigations are required.
Once the paperwork has been completed, you will receive a call from the Medical Examiner’s Office (based at Chesterfield Royal Hospital) to explain the details on the certificate. During this call, you will be given the chance to discuss any concerns about the cause of death, or about the care the person received before their death.
The Medical Examiner’s Officers can explain any medical language unfamiliar to you if this is needed. They will inform you that the relevant paperwork will be at the register office and following this call, you will be able to make an appointment to register the death formally.
If there are any concerns that need to be escalated following this discussion, this can be done by the Medical Examiner’s Officer, or they will provide you with the relevant contact detail
Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- funeral director fees
- things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.