When Someone Dies
Taking the first steps when a loved one dies
We will guide you step by step with care, compassion and empathy on what you need to do when your loved one passes. We will take care of every details and all administrative duties.
When a loved one passes away at home, it is a difficult and emotional time. There is a lot to organise, from your first contact with us, we will gently guide you on the next steps.
The doctor will issue the death certificate or if the death has occurred out of hours, a locum doctor or attending nurse will issue a letter attesting to the fact death has occurred. This will allow our first response care team to remove your loved one into our care. The death certificate can be collected from the surgery in normal opening hours.
Call us on 01835 867189 and we will gently guide you on what needs to be done to help you to start making the necessary arrangements.
When a loved one passes away in a hospital, hospice or professional care, the duty doctor will complete the death certificate. Normally, your loved one will be removed to the mortuary at the hospital or care home.
In the event that the care home does not have a mortuary or chapel of rest, we have our own state of the art facilities and we will look after your loved one until the time of the funeral.
When someone dies suddenly as the result of an accident or in a situation where the deceased’s GP feels unable to issue a death certificate, the death and the circumstances surrounding will become a matter for the Procurator Fiscal.
Usually, the Procurator Fiscal or their representatives, the police, will engage a contracted undertaker to convey the deceased to the mortuary. A post-mortem may be required. Once the Procurator Fiscal’s enquiries have been completed, a death certificate will be issued.
If a family intend cremation they should notify the Procurator Fiscal. Even if the death has been reported to the Procurator Fiscal, early contact with us is strongly recommended so that we can advise and guide you on the various procedures.
If your loved one dies abroad, then it can seem an even more daunting and confusing time, with different countries following different procedures and unique laws.
Once again, getting in touch with us as soon as possible means we can help quickly and we will take responsibility for all arrangements.
Our repatriation specialists will advise on the often complex rules which apply in these circumstances.
We will also provide guidance on reporting and registering the death with local authorities, and liaising with the UK Consul in that country.
We are here to make life as easy as possible in difficult times, whatever the circumstances. Our empathetic, expert staff will offer all the practical and emotional support you need. If your loved one passes away in the UK and the death occurs away from their usual, permanent address, we will take care of all the arrangements for travel and transportation of the deceased.