ARRANGING A FUNERAL

A Death Has Occurred
A Step By Step Procedure

Never be afraid that it is too soon to contact your Funeral Director. He is there to guide and help you and to make him your first call may be the best way. (Remember, most Funeral Directors run a 24 hour service).

AT EVERY STAGE ALWAYS ASK FOR HELP AND GUIDANCE

If the deceased is in HOSPITAL

If a doctors certificate has been issued, the hospital will advise you of the address of the Registrar of Births and Deaths. If the doctor has referred the death to the Coroner, he will advise you when examination will take place, and if you need to do registration.

Registrars - At the Registrars you will be given a Green Certificate of disposal for the attention of your Funeral Director. The Registrar will also advise you of certificates you need for Insurance Companies, Post Office or Friendly Societies.

If the deceased is in a NURSING HOME

A Doctor/Nursing Staff will advise you as soon as a death certificate is available and the address of their local Registrar of Births and Deaths. You may at this time be asked your permission to contact a Funeral Director. In the event of the Nursing Staff being unable to contact the next of kin, the deceased may be transferred to a local Funeral Director’s private chapel. If the Doctor has referred the death to a Coroner, he will advise you when examination will take place and if you need to do registration.

Registrars - At the Registrars you will be given a Green Certificate of disposal for the attention of your Funeral Director. The Registrar will also advise you of certificates you need for Insurance   Companies, Post Office or Friendly Societies.

If the deceased is AT HOME

Contact your doctor immediately. If the doctor is unknown to you, contact the Police

Doctor - If the Doctor has certified the death and he has informed you that he will be issuing a death certificate, you may contact your local Funeral Director. They will visit your home and remove the deceased to their private chapel. Once the doctor has issued the death certificate you may      proceed to your local Registrars of Births and Deaths.

Emergency Doctor - The Emergency doctor will give you a letter to give to your own doctor, who will issue a death certificate. If your own doctor has not visited the deceased within the last fourteen days, he may refer the case to the Coroners Officer.

Police - When the police arrive, they will summon a doctor on your behalf, who may refer the death to the Coroners Officer. He will speak to you and have the deceased removed for examination. He will advise you when examination is completed and if you need to do registration.

Registrars - At the Registrars you will be given a Green Certificate of disposal for the attention of your Funeral Director. The Registrar will also advise you of certificates you need for Insurance  Companies, Post Office or Friendly Societies.  After leaving the Registrars make your way to the  Funeral Director of your choice. They will require the Green Certificate and the authority from the next of kin to remove the deceased from the Hospital/Nursing Home to the Chapel of Rest.

IMPORTANT

You do not have to wait for any of these documents before going to your Funeral Director, who will answer any of the above questions.

REMEMBER — Advice from Albins is FREE

 
Registering a  Death

First step

The death must be registered by the Registrar of Births and Deaths for the area in which it occurred. You can find the address in the phone book under REGISTRATION OF BIRTHS, DEATHS & MARRIAGES, or from the Doctor, Local Council, Post Office or Police Station. Check when the Registrar will be available and to find out whether only you need to go along. It may be that someone other than you will be needed to sign the Register of Death.

If the death has been referred to the Coroner, it cannot be registered until the Registrar has received authority from the Coroner to do so.

If the death has not been referred to the Coroner, go to the Registrar as soon as possible. The death must be registered within five days (unless the Registrar says this period may be exceeded).

At the Registrar Office

When you go to the Registrar you should take all of the following:

-  The Medical Certificate of the cause of death.

-  The deceased’s Medical Card, if possible.

-  Any War Pension Order Book of the deceased.

-  The Pink Form (Form 100), if one has been given to you by the Coroner.

-  The date and place of death.

-  The deceased’s last (usual) address.

-  The deceased’s first names and surname (and the maiden name where appropriate).

- The deceased’s date and place of birth (town and county, and country if born abroad).

-  The deceased’s occupation and the name and occupation of her husband (where appropriate).

-  Whether the deceased was getting a Pension or Allowance from public funds.

-  If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

The Registrar will give you:

A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the Green Form) unless the Coroner has given you an Order for Burial (Form 101) or a Certificate for Cremation (Form E).

These give permission for the body to be buried or for an application for cremation to be made. It should be taken to the Funeral Director so that the funeral can be held.

A Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD 8 (rev)).

This is for Social Security purposes only. Read the information on the back of the Certificate. If any of it applies, fill in the Certificate and send or give it to your Social Security Office.

Leaflets about widow’s benefits and income tax for widows where appropriate.