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IMMEDIATE CONCERNS

If the death occurs at home, a doctor should be contacted as soon as possible. Then, once the doctor has given authorisation, we will take the deceased person into our care. If the death occurs in a hospital, hospice or nursing home, you can contact us directly and we will take care of all the practical matters.

When a death is sudden, unexpected or the result of an accident it will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal for further investigation. This will probably mean a delay of 2 or 3 days before we can help you make definite funeral arrangements. However if you contact us as soon as possible after death we can guide you through the whole process.

REGISTERING THE DEATH

When faced with a bereavement, many of us will feel overwhelmed by the practical considerations. This list might help you through the first stages of the process, from registering the death onwards. Please find some practical advice on how to register a death.

Registration in most cases should take place prior to the funeral. A relative of the deceased usually registers the death. If no relative is available then the duty may be performed by any person present at the death, the occupier of the premises where the death took place, or the person who is accepting responsibility for arranging the funeral. It may be necessary to arrange an appointment with the Registrar.

If you feel you would like support, we can accompany you to the Registrar’s Office.

IF SOMEONE DIES ABROAD

In the event of a death occurring overseas the deceased’s travel insurance provider will appoint a local funeral director. They will attend to all the practicalities involved and arrange for the provision of the necessary documentation to facilitate the repatriation. The deceased’s passport is essential to this process and so it should be located promptly and retained safely. If there is no valid insurance cover in place, the cost for repatriation will need to be recovered.

We are experienced in repatriation and can advise as well as organise for this to take place, whether your wish is to bring the deceased to the UK, or repatriate the deceased to another country. Once the deceased has been returned to your chosen destination, funeral arrangements can be finalised in the normal manner.

WHAT DOES THE REGISTRAR NEED TO KNOW?

The Registrar will require the following information about the deceased.

  • The date and place of their death.
  • Their full name.
  • The date and place of their birth.
  • Their occupation.
  • Their home address.
  • If they were in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds.
  • If married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse.

THE REGISTRAR WILL ALSO REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

The deceased’s National Health Service medical card (if available).

The Registrar may also require the Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate (if applicable) if these are readily available.

The Registrar may issue a white certificate of registration of death (Form 14), which is required by us prior to the funeral taking place. Certified copies of the entry of death can be obtained for a small charge – these may be needed for legal or financial purposes.

If the death has been referred to the Procurator Fiscal, the registration process may vary – we will advise you accordingly.

When you contact your local Funeral Director, they will ask you some personal details about the person who has died.

You can contact our Funeral Director team at any time of the day or night, any day of the year. We will also ask where you would like the deceased to rest before the funeral. This can be either at our funeral home or your home.

If you choose your home, we recommend that you allow us to bring the deceased into our care and then return them home once all the necessary preparations have been made.

Your funeral director will arrange a suitable time to visit you. Alternatively, you can meet at our funeral home or, if you prefer, somewhere else such as a friend’s house or another member of the family’s home.

When you meet the Funeral Director, they will be able to advise you on what to do next, take care of all the necessary funeral arrangements and explain, in detail, the procedure for registering the death.