WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE PASSES AWAY
I am available to you 24 hours a day so no matter what time you may need us we are always here, once I receive your call, I will advise you as to what happens next and guide you through anything you may need to do.
If you need our help or have any questions, just call me on 01273 568536.
When a death occurs it is always difficult to know what to do first so here is my guide for the initial first stages:
At home
When someone passes away at home, a doctor will need to certify the death. Sometimes this will be the person’s registered GP, sometimes it will be the on-call doctor or a state registered nurse. After someone has passed away, you can spend as much time with them as you like, if you wish to do so. When you’re ready, you can call me on 01273 568536 and we will transfer the person into our care at my facility in Newhaven, providing the death has been certified the Medical Examiner will provide a “Medical Certificate of Cause of Death” showing the cause of death, which will be sent direct to the registrar of deaths.
If the death was not expected or was the resulted from an accident, then the emergency services must attend, and the coroner will be made aware. the deceased will generally go into the care of the coroner first using the coroners on call service, they then will be released to us at a point after the coroner has finished any enquiries.
At a nursing home
When someone dies in a nursing home, a doctor will need to certify the death. Sometimes this will be the person’s registered GP; sometimes it will be the on-call doctor. Once the doctor has been to see the person, the nursing home may require that we collect them straight away. If the death was expected, the Medical Examiner will provide the “Medical Certificate of Cause of Death” showing the cause of death, which you will need to register the death. If the death was not expected or has resulted from an accident or fall for example, then the emergency services must attend, and the coroner will be made aware. In these cases, the deceased will generally go into the care of the coroner first, then will be released to us at a point soon thereafter.
In hospital or hospice
If the person has died in hospital or hospice, you’ll liaise with the bereavement team who will offer practical and emotional support including how and where to register the death.
The person who has died will usually be cared for in the mortuary at the hospital or hospice until a funeral director is appointed or alternative arrangements are made. If you appoint us as your funeral director, we will liaise with the hospital or hospice and make the necessary arrangements to bring your loved one into our care.
If someone dies unexpectantly
If someone dies unexpectedly or if they haven’t been seen by their GP in the last 28 days, their death will be reported to the coroner, who may request a post-mortem or inquest. This may take some time so it’s a good idea to speak to us so we can liaise with the coroner and make provisional arrangements for the funeral. We won’t be able to confirm a date or time until the coroner has finished their investigations.
Registering the death
You will need to make an appointment at your local registrar to register the death within five days. When making the appointment they will confirm that they have received the “Medical Certificate of Cause of Death” from the Medical Examiner if the death is natural or the coroner if not. If you have their birth certificate, NHS medical card or number and marriage or civil partnership certificates, take these along but if your unable to access these documents just let them know your unable to find them
You’ll be issued with a “Certified Copy of the Entry of Death” you will need to pay them for each copy the “The Registrar’s Certificate for Cremation or Burial” will be sent direct to me the Funeral Director, Christopher Sarson
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please call Chris on 01273 568536