What to do when someone dies
In the hours immediately after a death, it can be hard to know what to do first. We’re here to help guide you through these early steps, offering clear advice and support tailored to each situation – whether at home, in a care setting or in hospital.
If a death occurs at home
If someone passes away at home, the first step is to contact their GP – this can be done at any time, day or night. A doctor must attend and certify the death before we are able to bring your loved one into our care. Once the death has been certified, please call us when you feel ready.
We will arrange a suitable time to attend, usually within an hour. We understand this is a deeply personal and emotional time, and we will talk you through everything with care and clarity, offering support from the very beginning of the funeral process.
If a death occurs in a nursing home, care home or hospice
In most cases, the staff at the care home or hospice will handle the immediate steps following a death. If an End of Life Plan is in place, the process is typically straightforward. If there isn’t one, we encourage you to contact us in advance to discuss what to expect.
The home will let you know where to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If the death is unexpected, sudden or unexplained, the police must be informed. In these cases, a doctor will attend and your loved one will be taken to a public mortuary for examination.
If a death occurs in hospital
When someone dies in hospital, the bereavement office usually coordinates the process. Hospital staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which you will need to collect, along with any personal belongings.
If the funeral is to be a cremation, it’s important to notify hospital staff so they can prepare the required additional forms. Once you have the death certificate, you will be ready to register the death. Throughout this time, we are only ever a phone call away and can begin to help you with the next steps whenever you are ready.
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