What to do when someone dies

Contact the Attending Practitioner (AP). The AP is either a Doctor or a Nurse who is qualified to verify death.

The AP will attend the deceased to verify that death has occurred.

Call the Funeral Director who will transfer the deceased to their premises.

The AP will contact the Medical Examiner (ME).

The ME will determine whether the AP will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) or whether the death has to be referred to His Majesty’s Coroner (HMC).

As this example is an expected death the AP will forward the MCCD to the Registrar.

You will need to make an appointment at the Register Office in order to register the death. The Registrar will ask you how many Death Certificates you require. These will be issued ready for collection at the time of the appointment.

The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.

The Green Registration Document will be emailed by the Registrar directly to the Funeral Director.

The care home will contact the Attending Practitioner (AP).

The AP will attend the deceased to verify that death has occurred.

You will need to appoint a Funeral Director and confirm your instructions to the care home.

The care home will call the Funeral Director who will transfer the deceased to their premises.

The AP will contact the Medical Examiner (ME).

The ME will determine whether the AP will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) or whether the death has to be referred to His Majesty’s Coroner (HMC).

As this example is an expected death the AP will forward the MCCD to the Registrar.

You will need to make an appointment at the Register Office in order to register the death. The Registrar will ask you how many Death Certificates you require. These will be issued ready for collection at the time of the appointment.

The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.

The Green Registration Document will be emailed by the Registrar directly to the Funeral Director.

The bereavement office will contact the Attending Practitioner (AP).

The AP will attend the deceased to verify that death has occurred.

You will need to instruct the Funeral Director and confirm the identity of the Funeral Director to the bereavement office.

The AP will contact the Medical Examiner (ME).

The ME will determine whether the AP will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) or whether the death has to be referred to His Majesty’s Coroner (HMC).

As this example is an expected death the AP will forward the MCCD to the Registrar.

You will need to make an appointment at the Register Office in order to register the death. The Registrar will ask you how many Death Certificates you require. These will be issued ready for collection at the time of the appointment.

The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.

The Green Registration Document will be emailed by the Registrar directly to the Funeral Director.

You will need to complete a mortuary release form with the assistance of the Funeral Director.

Once the death has been registered and you have completed the mortuary release form the Funeral Director will be able to transfer the deceased to their premises.

The hospice will contact the Attending Practitioner (AP).

The AP will attend the deceased to verify that death has occurred.

You will need to instruct the Funeral Director and confirm the identity of the Funeral Director to the hospice.

The AP will contact the Medical Examiner (ME).

The ME will determine whether the AP will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) or whether the death has to be referred to His Majesty’s Coroner (HMC).

As this example is an expected death the AP will forward the MCCD to the Registrar.

You will need to make an appointment at the Register Office in order to register the death. The Registrar will ask you how many Death Certificates you require. These will be issued ready for collection at the time of the appointment.

The registration process will take approximately 30 minutes.

The Green Registration Document will be emailed by the Registrar directly to the Funeral Director.

Once the death has been registered the Funeral Director will be able to transfer the deceased to their premises.

In the event of a sudden or unexpected death call the emergency services who will send the Police or Paramedics as required.

Once the death has been verified and the Police have given permission for the deceased person to be removed from the place of death they will instruct their duty Funeral Director to transfer the deceased to a Hospital Mortuary.

The Police will notify the Coroner that a Sudden Death has occurred.

The Coroner will decide whether there is a duty to investigate the death.

You will need to appoint a Funeral Director and confirm your instructions to the Coroner’s Officer who will be looking after the administration of the death.

Example where the Coroner has no duty to investigate a sudden death:

The Coroner will refer the death back to the Attending Practitioner as they have no further interest in investigating the death.

The death may be registered in accordance with the procedure for an expected death (see above).

The Coroner will inform the mortuary that the deceased may be released for funeral arrangements.

Example where the Coroner has a duty to investigate a sudden death:

The Coroner opens an Investigation.

The Coroner will decide whether or not to order a post mortem examination.

If the death is found to be of natural causes the death may be registered with no Inquest. The Coroner will send the appropriate documentation to the Registrar enabling you to register the death.

The Coroner will inform the mortuary that the deceased may be released for funeral arrangements.

If the death is found not to be of natural causes the Coroner will open an Inquest. The death may not be registered until the Inquest has been heard and the case concluded but, assuming no complications, the Coroner will inform the mortuary that the deceased may be released for funeral arrangements.

The Coroner will send the appropriate documentation to the Registrar enabling you to register the death after the inquest has been concluded.

Check to ensure whether there are any wishes expressed in your loved-one’s Will which will need to be fulfilled.

Check to see whether there is a funeral plan or an insurance policy to help meet the cost of the funeral expenses.

Are there any special requests that need to be fulfilled?

Is the funeral to be a burial or a cremation?

Where will the final resting place be; churchyard, cemetery, garden of remembrance etc.

Consider your availability for the date, time and place of the funeral.

Will the service be religious or non-religious?

Do you have someone in mind to lead the service?

Consider music including hymns (if applicable).

Consider any bible readings (if applicable).

Who will deliver the eulogies, tributes, readings etc?

Consider your choice of coffin and casket for cremated remains.

Are limousines required?

How is your loved one to be presented in our Chapel of Rest This can be in their own clothing or a robe supplied by us.

Do you wish to visit your loved one in our Chapel of Rest?

Consider your wishes for floral tributes.

Which charities would you like to nominate to benefit for any donations?

Do you wish for a death notice and/or acknowledgement notice to be placed in any local or national newspapers?

Do you require printed service sheets?

Where would you like the reception to be held, after the service?

Do you require any assistance with memorials and headstones?