When a loved one dies it can be an emotionally distressing time and potentially overwhelming should the responsibility fall on you or someone close to you to carry out their final wishes.
We can help you through this difficult time, offering caring support and advice on things you may need to think about when arranging their funeral.
Contact your chosen funeral director who will guide you through the registration and funeral arrangements.
When a person dies, someone has to deal with their affairs. This is called ‘administering the estate’. In addition to arranging the funeral there are other legal duties and responsibilities that fall on personal representatives (an Executor in a will or an Administrator if there is no will).
You can contact your nominated solicitor to discuss these legal duties and responsibilities. If you are unsure of how to proceed or which solicitor to choose, please get in touch and we will be glad to help.
What to do when someone dies in Hospital
If a loved one died in hospital, the doctors looking after the person who has died, will normally issue The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, this will be sent to a Medical Examiner who will check the cause of death to make sure its accurate.
They will be a senior doctor, and they will not have been involved in the care of the person who has died.
The medical examiner’s office will then contact you to:
- explain the cause of death
- answer any questions you have about this or the healthcare provided to the person before they died
This is voluntary and you do not have to speak to them.
You’ll also be contacted by the medical examiner’s office to confirm you can register the death.
Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland) of being contacted. This includes weekends and bank holidays.
A ‘release form’ may need to be signed by the Next of Kin at this point, this will release your loved one from the hospital into the care of your funeral director.
You will also need to inform the hospital staff as to whether the funeral will be a burial or cremation.
What to do when someone dies at home or in a nursing home?
When a loved one dies at home, the doctor should be contacted immediately. As soon as the doctor is available, they will normally make a house visit and if the death was expected, the doctor will certify the death or a nurse can verify the death.
The doctor will give permission for you to contact your funeral director so that your loved one can be taken into their care and their last wishes followed.
If their death occurs in a nursing or residential home, a member of the nursing staff will contact your chosen funeral director on your behalf. They will then arrange for your funeral director to convey your loved one to their resting place, acting in accordance with your wishes.