Useful Information

A. Whether it be at home, hospital or at a residential home, there are many unfamiliar tasks which must be carried out.

At such a time, when natural grief and anxiety weigh heavily upon you, you will need the care and advice from of professional men and women. One of those whom you will undoubtedly deal with is the Funeral Director. This website was built to help you in your time of need and answer any questions you may have. If you still have questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

When a death occurs at home:
As soon as possible, inform your doctor or your doctors practice that the death has occurred. The doctor will produce a Notification of Death when they visit the house, or they may request that you visit the surgery to collect the certificate at a convenient time. The Notification of Death will then need to be taken to the registrars. If the doctor is unable to complete the medical certificate then the death will be referred to the coroner.

At a nursing or residential home
The above procedure is likely to have taken place with your permission by the senior in charge, warden or matron who will be able to advise you on the whereabouts of the Notification of Death.

At the hospital
When the death occurs in a hospital the procedure is very similar. The nursing staff or the administrative officer will advise when and from where to collect the Notification of Death.

A. The coroner is a judicial officer, quite independent of local and central government, who is required to act in accordance with certain laws. Any sudden or unexplained death must be reported to the coroner, who's duty it is to ascertain the cause of death and to investigate any unusual circumstances.

Sometimes the coroner may be able to ascertain by simple enquiry whether the death was due to natural causes and that there is a doctor able to issue a death certificate. The death is then registered, adopting the procedures shown under registration. If this isn't the case, the coroner may require a post-mortem examination to take place.

This will normally indicate that the death was due to natural causes, and in such cases, there is no inquest. The coroner sends a certificate to the registrar so that the death can be registered. If a cremation is the wish of the family, the coroner will issue an additional form to the funeral director.

If the death is not due to natural causes (for example a traffic accident), the coroner is obliged to hold an inquest. This enquiry is to ascertain and determine:

1. The identity of the deceased.
2. When, where and how the death occurred.
3. The cause of death.

In certain cases, he may adjourn the inquest after having established the above-mentioned facts. A certificate will then be issued to enable the funeral to take place and the inquest reopened, sometimes after several weeks, in order to gather relevant information relating to the death.

We (the Funeral Directors) are fully conversant with the likely causes for referral to the coroner and will be able to advise you on any action that may be necessary.

A. A death must be registered by law in the district in which the death occurred. We, your funeral director will be able to advise you as to the whereabouts of the relevant office and can advise on their hours of attendance and the procedure required. Under normal circumstances the notification of death should be taken to the registrar with, if possible, the deceased's medical card. The registrar will then issue the death certificate. The registrar will need to know the following details of the person who has died:

• Full name.
• Date and place of birth.
• Date and place of death.
• Occupation.
• Home address.
• If married, date of birth of the surviving spouse.
• If the deceased was in receipt of a pension or an allowance from public funds.

The registrar will also need the following documents:

• Medical certificate showing the cause of death.
• Birth certificate.
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)

A.

1. Any relative of the deceased.
2. Any person present at the time of death.
3. The occupier of the house where the death occurred.
4. The person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director).

The registrar will issue a green certificate which should be given to your nominated undertaker as soon as possible. Copies of the death certificate can be obtained from the registrar and will be required for insurance purposes, probate, bank accounts etc.