When a death occurs
For immediate help or advice please call us on 01604 637852
(24 hours a day, 7 days a week) where our funeral director or one of our friendly staff will talk with you. For your peace of mind you know that when calling this number you will speak directly to a member of our family and not to a call centre operative. You will be guided and helped through the next stages and we will answer any questions you may have.
If a death has occurred at home:
You should firstly call the deceased’s normal doctor’s surgery or the on call doctor if the surgery is closed, so they are able to attend the home and certify the death. Only after the doctor or other medical professional has confirmed the death can the funeral director take the deceased in to their care. It is at this time that you should call us on our 24 hour office number, 01604 637852, where our staff will arrange to attend the home and transfer the deceased to our funeral home. The deceased’s own doctor will issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate to the family, this is usually collected from the doctor’s surgery when ready. This certificate will then allow the family to register the death.
If the death is sudden or unexpected the death may be reported to the Coroner in which case the police will attend on the Coroner’s behalf and the Coroner’s nominated funeral director* will be called to transfer the deceased to hospital to await further investigation. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the deceased to the funeral director and supply the appropriate paperwork to allow the family to attend the Registrar’s Office and register the death. You are welcome to contact us for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements if you wish.
If a death has been reported to the Coroner and you have not been given guidance by the Coroner’s staff, please call us for advice on 01604 637852.
*Please note- You are under no obligation to use the Coroner’s nominated funeral director for your funeral arrangements. They are only contracted to convey the deceased to hospital.
If a death has occurred in a hospital or hospice:
Call our office during waking hours 8.30am – 5.00pm on 01604 637852 where our staff will guide you through the next steps. A hospice may also contact us directly should they need the deceased to be transferred immediately into our care. The family will then talk with the hospital or hospice staff to arrange for the issue of the Medical Cause of Death Certificate. This certificate is usually issued via the Bereavement Officer at the hospital or hospice and can be collected by appointment. This certificate will then allow the family to register the death.
If for any reason the doctor feels they are not in a position to issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate they will refer the case to the Coroner who will decide whether a Medical Certificate can be issued or whether further investigation is necessary. If further investigation is required, a Post Mortem Examination may be ordered, usually to determine the exact cause of death. In most cases this will not necessarily cause delay in making funeral arrangements. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the deceased to the funeral director and supply the appropriate paperwork to allow the family to attend the Registrar’s Office and register the death. We will help and guide you at all times if this is the case. You are welcome to contact us for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements if you wish.
If a death has been reported to the Coroner and you have not been given guidance by the Coroner’s staff, please call us for advice on 01604 637852.
If a death has occurred in a nursing or care home:
The deceased’s usual doctor or the on call doctor, will be called by the home staff to attend and certify the death. Only after the doctor or other medical professional has confirmed the death can the family or home staff call the funeral director on 01604 637852 to arrange for the transfer of the deceased to our funeral home. The deceased’s own doctor will issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate to the family, this is usually collected from the doctor’s surgery when ready. This certificate will then allow the family to register the death.
If the death is sudden or unexpected the death may be reported to the Coroner in which case the police will attend on the Coroner’s behalf and the Coroner’s nominated funeral director* will be called to transfer the deceased to hospital to await further investigation. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the deceased to the funeral director and supply the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend the Registrar’s Office and register the death. You are welcome to contact us for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements if you wish.
If a death has been reported to the Coroner and you have not been given guidance by the Coroner’s staff, please call us for advice on 01604 637852.
*Please note- You are under no obligation to use the Coroner’s nominated funeral director for your funeral arrangements. They are only contracted to convey the deceased to hospital.
If a death has occurred away from home or abroard:
For immediate help or advice please call us on 01604 637852 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) where our funeral director or one of our friendly staff will guide you on how things move forward.
We will assist families who need to return a loved one home and can make all the arrangements to facilitate this. It is possible to repatriate your loved one wherever they should pass away, be it in the UK or abroad.
If someone dies within the UK we will arrange any necessary paperwork and personally collect the deceased from wherever they have passed away, giving families the peace of mind that their loved ones are being cared for during their whole journey home.
If a loved one dies overseas we can make all the arrangements for them to be returned to the UK for their funeral. We can liaise with all the authorities, both here and abroad, to help take as much of the stress away as possible. With the help of our specialist repatriation partners it is possible to return people from virtually anywhere in the world.
IF IN DOUBT AT ANY TIME PLEASE CALL US ON 01604 637852
WHERE WE WILL ADVISE YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND GUIDE YOU THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
