What to do when death occurs

When someone dies, it is a stressful and confusing time. All of a sudden a number of decisions and arrangements have to be made within a very short period, including several legal requirements and responsibilities.

If death occurs at home

If the individual was suffering in health and under the directions of the local GP, first contact should be made with the family doctor, who after determining the cause of death will issue the Medical Certificate of Death and advise on what to do next. If the death is of a sudden nature and is confirmed as such by a GP or emergency service, the police will be called and prepare a file for the local coroner. After a doctor has issued a Medical Certificate of Death, you can contact us and we will call to convey the deceased any time at your request and convenience. We will then either visit you at home, or you can call at our office, to discuss the funeral arrangements and advise you of the registration procedures.

If death occurs at a Nursing Home

A senior member of staff at the Nursing Home will contact the next of kin who will then contact the Funeral Director. If chosen, we will arrange to convey the deceased to our Chapel of Rest. We will either visit you at home, or you can call at our office, to discuss the funeral arrangements and advise you of registration procedures.

If death occurs at hospital

The ward’s nursing staff will contact the next of kin and arrange a time for you to take away the deceased’s possessions along with a Medical Certificate of Death. The body will be kept in the hospital mortuary until transport arrangements have been made by the funeral directors. The next of kin will contact the Funeral Directors of choice. We will arrange to convey the deceased to our Chapel of Rest.

If death occurs abroad

If someone dies abroad, you should first contact the local police who will connect you with the nearest British Consulate, and from there arrangements can be made for burial or repatriation. A local death certificate will be issued and all regional laws and procedures must be followed. If cause of death is sudden, unknown or suspicious, it will be referred to a coroner who will investigate the circumstances and cause of death, before issuing a certificate allowing the death to be registered.  

Registration Procedure

1 A death must be registered in the district in which it has occurred, within 5 days. The doctor’s Certificate of Death should be taken to the Registrar’s Office with, if possible, the Medical Card and Birth Certificate of the Deceased. An appointment must be made to attend registrar where the following information will be required:

2 The Registrar will require:

  • Death Certificate
  • Date of death
  • The full name and surname (and the maiden surname if the deceased was a woman who had been married)
  • Medical Card or NHS number
  • Date of birth and place of birth
  • Last occupation
  • Their usual address
  • Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds.
  • If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

3 In return the Registrar will issue a GREEN FORM which is required by us before the funeral can take place, a White Form to cancel state pension and copies of Death Certificate as required (extra copies are chargeable)

4 If the death is referred to the Coroner, it would be advisable to contact us so that provisional arrangements can be made prior to the Coroner giving permission for the registration and funeral to take place.

Manor Peris
High Street
Llanon
Ceredigion
SY23 5HJ

Tel: 01974 202028
Mob: 07971 803783 / 07802 200595

 

Chapel of Rest
Queen Street
Aberaeron
Ceredigion
SA46 0BY

Tel:01545 570985
Mob: 07802 200595