Frequently Asked Questions

When someone dies, it can be difficult to know what steps need to be taken, particularly if it is unexpected.

If the person dies in hospital or at a hospice or care home, then staff there will know exactly what needs to be done and can guide you on anything you need to do. If the death occurs at home, then the first step that needs to happen is for the doctor to be called to confirm and certify the death. Either way, you will be provided with a medical certificate confirming the cause of death and allowing you to register the death.

If the doctor is unsure about the cause of death then they will report it to a coroner. A post-mortem may then be needed to ascertain the cause before a medical certificate is issued.

You must register a death in England or Wales at a Registry Office within five days, or the Registrar of Deaths in Northern Ireland. A death occurring in Scotland should be registered within eight days by the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Once registered, you will be given the death certificate and it is advisable to purchase additional copies as these may be required by banks, insurance companies and other organisations. The death certificate is also required to enable the deceased’s will to be executed. You will also be given a ‘green certificate’ which should be given to the funeral director to allow for the burial or cremation to take place.

You may also be given Form BD8 which is used to advise Social Security or your local Jobcentre Plus in case the deceased was receiving any benefits or tax credits.

As your funeral director we will advise and take care of the deceased, discuss the funeral arrangements and options available to you, deal with all the logistics and paperwork involved, and act as the ‘master of ceremonies’ on the day of the funeral.

Most people prefer the traditional style of funeral. However, increasingly, people are preferring to opt for an alternative style of funeral such as:

• Religious or secular – again, the choice will be dependent on the individual’s preferences
• A green funeral – typically where the deceased is buried in a natural area using a coffin made of sustainable materials
• Themed/personalised funerals – to reflect the way the deceased lived and to bring a unique style to their funeral
  Woodland burial – where burials take place in dedicated woodland sites

Key decisions to be considered include:

• Whether you wish to be cremated or buried
• What type of coffin and, if cremated, casket
• What style of funeral you would like – traditional or ‘alternative’; religious or not
• Choice of music and hymns, prayers and poems, flowers and candles, charity for any donations
• Would you like a small family funeral and a separate memorial service
• What sort of wake or social get together you think would be appropriate

• Making a will and granting a probate
• How you wish to be looked after in your final days
• Where you would like to die
• Whether your organs are to be donated