Graham Roberts provides a24 hour service using his own fleet of vehicles and a private chapel of rest

WHAT TO DO AFTER A DEATH

What should you do after a death?

If the death occurs in hospital or retirement home
The nursing staff will contact the next of kin.
Normally the doctor will issue a "medical certificate of cause of death" to the next of kin to allow the death to be registered. The exception to this is if the Coroner is involved (see pages about the Coroner and Registrar).
Contact your Funeral Director as soon as possible. You don’t have to wait until the death is registered or the Coroner gives clearance.

If the death occurs at home.
Contact the family doctor who will attend to certify death and either issue a "medical certificate of cause of death" to allow the death to be registered or inform the Coroner if necessary.
If cremation is preferred the doctor must be informed as quickly as possible as he/she will need to complete some legal documents.
Contact your Funeral Director as soon as possible so the deceased may be moved to the Chapel of Rest.

Note: If the death is accidental, violent or there are some suspicious circumstances the police should be informed immediately and nothing should be touched.

Still contact your Funeral Director as soon as possible as he/she will be able to advise you of the procedures.

The medical certificate of cause of death.
If the doctor attended the deceased during his or her last illness and can certify the cause of death he or she will issue the "medical certificate of cause of death" which most people refer to as the "death certificate". The Registrar needs this certificate to register the death.

There are certain circumstances which stop the doctor issuing the certificate and the death will need to be reported to the Coroner.

Among the reasons for involving the Coroner are :-

If the deceased was not attended by a doctor doctor during his or her last illness or within 14 days of death.
If the cause of death is uncertain.
If the death was sudden, violent or the result of an accident.
If the death was due to an industrial disease.
If the deceased was undergoing an operation or under the effect of an anaesthetic.

Who should you inform?
Immediately after a death it’s difficult to remember to inform everyone who needs to know but the following may help.
Many of the items on the list are vital if the deceased lived alone and leaves an empty house.

Employer.
Doctor, dentist, district nurse etc.
Cancel the milk, newspapers and magazine subscriptions.
Car insurance - you could be driving without insurance if the policy was taken out in the deceased’s name.
Neighbours so that they know that the house is empty and why.
Utilities - gas, electric and telephone.
Get mail redirected at the Post Office.
Social Services regarding home helps, meals on wheels etc.
Social Security regarding any benefits.
Local Council (or landlord) regarding rent, council tax etc.
Building Society regarding mortgage and endowment insurance policies.
Inland Revenue.
Solicitor.
Hospital if appointments are pending.
Bank (accounts, direct debits, standing orders, credit cards and debit cards).
Cancel store cards.
Return passport to UK Passport Agency.
Return driving licence to DVLA.
Any clubs or associations.
Mobile phone companies.
Satellite TV subscription.

Don’t forget to get any money and valuables out of an empty house.

We’ve tried to cover everything but if there’s anything that we’ve missed please let us know.