In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;
- A medical certificate from the patients GP or hospital doctor will be sent to the local registrar who will contact you to register the death.
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.
You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging.
The British Humanist Association can help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- funeral director fees
- things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.
More information and support for those who have been bereaved can be found in the following places.
Cruse
Cruse are an organisation that can provide support with grief. They have a helpline and can also help you to source local support, as well as offering 1-1 support too. More information HERE.
MacMillan
MacMillan can help those affected by cancer to source local bereavement support. More information HERE
Compassionate Communities
Compassionate Communities offer a bereavement group at Nuneaton library fortnightly on Fridays 1:30 to 3:30pm. Please call Pamela on 07500 782658 to find out more.
The Makery
The Makery in Nuneaton offer a bereavement support café. Please view their timetable HERE
St Giles Hospice
St Giles Hospice have a variety of bereavement support meetings in areas including Tamworth. To find out more click More information HERE.