The important next steps after a loved one passes

The shock of losing someone close can be all-encompassing when it happens, making it even harder to take the crucial steps that must follow before funeral preparations can begin.

We encourage you to contact us as soon as possible when the time arrives, so we can assume responsibility for the arrangements from the outset, allowing you more time to come to terms with your loved one’s passing.

We will arrange for the deceased to be taken into our care, and advise you on certain duties that only relatives can undertake.

Sometimes we may not need to visit – such as when death takes place in a hospital – but we would always recommend that you get in touch without delay, so we can offer support, advice and counsel when you need it most. Moreover, you will feel reassured that the funeral arrangements are being handled in a professional and sensitive manner, putting your mind at rest.

In the first instance, here are the steps that follow when someone passes away:

At home or at a rest home:

• Contact the GP who cared for your loved one. They will confirm and certify that death has occurred, officially permitting us to assume care for the deceased.
• Get in touch so we can organise for the deceased to be transferred into our care. We can also respond to any early queries you may have regarding the funeral arrangements.

In hospital:

• Contact us straight away. We will offer guidance on the next, crucial steps and start to make funeral arrangements.
• Collect the Certificate of Death from the hospital, to be taken to the Registrar’s Office for the area in which the death took place. It is often advisable to take along other documentation pertaining to the deceased, such as their birth, marriage and health certificates.
• The Registrar will give you a green certificate, which should be passed to us at your earliest convenience. It gives us the go-ahead to start making funeral arrangements and also lets us know about any state benefit to which you are entitled for help with the funeral costs.
• We will liaise with you regarding options for the funeral and start to make the arrangements.

Sudden or unexpectedly:

• Get in touch with us as soon as possible and we will take you through this difficult process.
• When someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly it is standard practice for the Coroner to be involved.
• There are lots of reasons for this, one being that the person who has died will not have been under a doctor’s care on a regular basis.

Away from home in the UK or in another country:

• When death occurs away from home in the UK or abroad, contact us as soon as you can and we will make the necessary arrangements for you.

Bringing your loved one into our care

When your loved one passes we will ask where you would like them to rest before the funeral. If you choose to have them at home instead of our funeral home we would ask that you allow us to bring them into our care first so that we can make sure all necessary preparations are made before they are returned to you.

The green certificate

The Registrar will issue the green certificate for burial or cremation. If the death has been referred to the Coroner the process may differ, but please be assured we will advise you accordingly. We will require the green certificate prior to the funeral.

If you need certified copies of the entry of death for financial or legal reasons, you can obtain these for a small charge.

The affairs of someone who has passed away:

There are certain things you will need to consider when your loved one passes away, such as the following:

• Accounts with banks, building societies, Co-Operative Societies, premium bonds and the Post Office.
• Payments for insurance policies, credit cards or standing orders, rental and HP agreements.
• Updating suppliers on the change of name for the responsibility of gas, electric, telephone, TV licence, car, car insurance or home insurance etc.

Notification of circumstances:

When a loved one passes away the financial circumstances of the family will alter too and there are various grants and allowances that are available from the state. Speak to your local Town Hall, Citizen’s Advice Bureau or DWP office to discuss help with funeral expenses, rent/council tax rebates and widow’s pension etc.