WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES
What to do When Someone Dies
IN THE EVENT OF A DEATH
When a death occurs, whether expected or not, there is an inevitable feeling of sadness and loss experienced by the close family, often resulting in shock and emotional stress. Certain practical steps, however, need to be taken at an early stage, including registering the death.
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS AT HOME
Whether or not a death is expected, a qualified doctor (GP or duty doctor; the differences are explained in the next sections) should on every occasion be contacted to attend and confirm death. Once a doctor has arrived and indicated that in due course the ‘medical certificate of death’ will be able to be issued, then we can remove the deceased into our chapel of rest.
GP ATTENDANCE
If the death occurs during surgery hours, the deceased's GP will attend the home to certify the passing and issue a ‘medical certificate of death’. The doctor will then inform you that your chosen trusted funeral director can now be contacted.
OUT OF HOURS DUTY DOCTOR
If the death occurs outside of surgery hours, a duty doctor will attend the home and issue a ‘certificate of attendance’. The out of hours duty doctor will then inform you that your chosen trusted funeral director can be contacted.
Once the deceased’s surgery is open, you can take them the ‘certificate of attendance’, and the GP will issue you with the ‘medical certificate of death’. If, however, the death was at home but unexpected, then please refer to the section that discusses a sudden or unexpected death.
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS IN HOSPITAL
When a death occurs in hospital, the first step would be to contact the bereavement office/team located within the hospital. A ‘medical certificate of death’ can then be issued and an appointment can now be made to register the passing. Once registration has taken place, your selected funeral director can now arrange for your loved one to be conveyed from the hospital and into their chapel of rest.
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS IN A CARE HOME
If the death occurred in a nursing or residential home, the staff on duty will contact the doctor on your behalf. Unless already arranged with the home on the care plan, the staff will ask who your selected funeral director is. If you would like us at Hyde-Chambers Funeral Home to take care of the funeral arrangements, the nursing staff will contact us at the appropriate moment, after which two dedicated members of staff members will attend the home to convey your loved ones into our care.
WHEN A DEATH IS SUDDEN OR UNEXPECTED
If the death was unexpected, the first step is to call the paramedics and police. In this instance, the police may wish for the coroner to investigate the passing. The police will arrange for the deceased to be conveyed to a local hospital where a post mortem may be required.
Once the coroner's office has finalised their investigation and a cause of death has been ascertained, they will contact the next of kin to instruct that the registration can now take place. The coroner's office will also ask which funeral director will be undertaking the funeral arrangements, and will say that a funeral date can now be made.
WHEN TO CONTACT THE FUNERAL DIRECTOR
The loss of a loved one can be a very distressing time, whether it is expected or not. If the passing was either at home or in a care home, the doctor will inform you when to contact us. If you require our services, you can contact us, or alternatively you are welcome to visit our funeral home where an experienced and compassionate member of our team will be available to offer advice.
Free parking is available at the front of the office.
Our opening times are Monday to Friday 9:30 – 4:30. A dedicated team is always available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can always be contacted outside office hours where you’ll either speak to Ian or Amanda who have the out of hours phones whenever they are not in the office.
REGISTERING THE DEATH
To register a death, an appointment is required. Suffolk registrars can be contacted during normal office hours of 9:00 – 4:00 Monday to Friday on the following numbers:
Bury St Edmunds., 0345 6072060
Ipswich 0345 6972050
WHO CAN REGISTER A DEATH?
- Any relative of the deceased
- A person present at the death
- The owner or person in charge of the home or nursing home where the death occurred
- The person arranging the funeral (not the funeral director)
THE PROCEDURE FOR REGISTERING A DEATH IS A SIMPLE INTERVIEW WITH THE REGISTRAR WHO WILL REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.
- Date and place of birth and death
- Full name of the deceased (including maiden name, if appropriate)
- Home address of the deceased
- The marital status of the deceased
- The occupation of the deceased
- If a married woman, the husband’s full name and occupation.
