It is usual for people to be unsure of what to do following bereavement. We recommend you contact us as soon as possible following a death and we can take you through the initial steps and provide advice on things you need to do when someone dies, the following information offers some initial guidance.

Contact us as soon as possible for any assistance or help you require

When someone dies in hospital
Hospital staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Death, which you will need to collect, along with any belongings, from the hospital. If the funeral is to be a cremation, please advise the hospital staff so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed. If a doctor who has treated the deceased is unable to issue a death certificate the death will be reported to HM Coroner for that district.

Contact us and we will make further necessary arrangements

When someone dies at home or in a nursing home
The first contact should be with the deceased's doctor who, if satisfied with the cause of death, will issue the Medical Certificate of Death. In some cases you may be asked to collect the certificate from the surgery. In the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liase with the doctor. If a doctor who has treated the deceased is unable to issue a death certificate the death will be reported to HM Coroner for that district.

Contact us as soon as possible and we will make further necessary arrangements

When someone dies unexpectedly
If death is sudden or unexpected it is normal for the coroner to be involved, you should contact the following people

The family Doctor if known

The deceased nearest relative

The police, who will help find the people listed above if necessary

If the deceased has not been under a doctor's care on a regular basis, the emergency doctor, or any police involved, will inform the relevant Coroner’s office.

Contact us, we can help and advise you on the procedures involved