Bereavement Advice

When there is an expected death at home

 

  • Telephone the doctor who will visit to confirm that death has taken place.
  • Contact a funeral director.
  • Arrange to collect the doctor's Medical Certificate of Death (usually from the surgery).
  • Take this to the Registrars Office, (together with the deceased's Medical Card and Birth Certificate, if available) for the area in which the death took place. Alternatively you can register by declaration at any convenient Registrars Office but certificates will not be available as these will have to be posted to you a few days later.
  • The Registrar will normally issue a Green coloured certificate for you to give to your funeral director who will look after necessary arrangements for the funeral. The Registrar will also issue a white notification certificate for the Department of Work and Pensions. They will also enquire as to the number of Certified Copies you require for dealing with the deceased finances (a fee is payable for each copy). It is usually a good idea to get extra copies now if you need them to prevent extra inconvenience getting copies at a later date.

 

When someone dies in hospital

 

  • Contact a funeral director
  • Collect the certificate from the hospital
  • Take this to the Registrars Office, (together with the deceased's Medical Card and Birth Certificate, if available) for the area in which the death took place. Alternatively you can register by declaration at any convenient Registrars Office but certificates will not be available as these will have to be posted to you a few days later.
  • The Registrar will normally issue a Green coloured certificate for you to give to your funeral director who will look after necessary arrangements for the funeral. The Registrar will also issue a white notification certificate for the Department of Work and Pensions. They will also enquire as to the number of Certified Copies you require for dealing with the deceased finances (a fee is payable for each copy). It is usually a good idea to get extra copies now if you need them to prevent extra inconvenience getting copies at a later date.

 

 

Note For Cremation

Your funeral director will usually liaise directly with the surgery regarding the additional certification required.

Help when you need it

 

Here are some links below that may provide some useful information in times of bereavement:-

 

Government Help and Advice

Information from gov.uk giving general help and advice

Including their step by step process 'what to do when someone dies'

National Bereavement Service

Every bereavement is different and there are different processes dependent on your circumstances.

Telephone: 0800 0246 121

Website: www.nationalbereavementservice.org