What to Do When Someone Dies

The death of a loved one is a distressing and difficult experience, so it is important to know what the first steps are when this occurs.

If you would like more information, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer any queries. Telephone: 07835224216.

When A Death Occurs at Home or In A Nursing Home

If your loved one passes away at home or in a nursing home, you will need to inform a doctor as soon as possible so they can issue the death certificate. Once the death has been certified you will need to call me so I can arrange for the deceased to be transported to our premises.

When A Death Occurs in A Hospital

If the death takes place in a hospital, the staff will arrange for the completion of the death certificate by one of the attending doctors. If you would like a cremation to take place, then either inform the hospital or contact me so that I can arrange for the additional form (the Cremation Form 4, 5 and 10) to be completed.

When A Coroner Is Involved

If the death was unexpected, sudden or happened under suspicious circumstances, then a coroner will become involved. The doctor may inform the coroner on your behalf. The coroner will arrange for the deceased to be transported to the hospital mortuary to establish a cause of death. Once this has been established, the death certificate will be issued. The deceased will then be released, and I can proceed with the funeral arrangements.

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 How To Register A Death

If you would like to know how to register a death, I can offer professional help and advice. Take a look at my guide below for more information and give me a call on 07835224216 for any further questions.

Funeral Advice

Usually, a family member will register the death. However if a relative is not available the law allows certain other people to register:

  • Someone present at the death.

  • Someone who lived in the house where the person died.

  • The person responsible for making funeral arrangements i.e. the executor.

  • A responsible person from the hospital or home where the person died.

When a death occurs it must be registered within 5 days with the registrar for the area in which the death took place.

Documentation You Will Need

You will need the death certificate issued by the hospital or the GP. If a coroner was involved, they will issue the form for registration and send it to the registration office once the post-mortem has taken place. Other information you may need includes:

Information You Will Need

  • Date and place of death.

  • The NHS number of the person that has died.

  • The full name of the person that has died.

  • Any other names, for instance, if the person had changed their name.

  • Date and place of birth.

  • Their occupation and whether they were retired.

  • Their address.

  • Surname before marriage or civil partnership.

  • Full name and occupation of the wife, husband or civil partner.

Furthermore, you will also need to give your full name, address and relationship to the deceased.

Local Registration Offices

Bristol

The Old Council House, Corn Street, Bristol BS1 1JG

For the Bristol offices, please telephone 01179222800 to book an appointment.

North Somerset

Castlewood, Tickenham Road, Clevedon BS21 6FW

For any of the Somerset and North Somerset offices, please telephone 01823282251 to book an appointment.

Bath and North East Somerset

Guildhall, High Street, Bath BA1 5AW

For the BANES offices, please telephone 01225477234 to book an appointment.

South Gloucestershire

Civic Centre, High St, Kingswood, Bristol BS15 9TR

For the South Gloucestershire office, please telephone 01454863140 to book an appointment.

Documentation Provided By The Registrar

  • A green form that will be given to the funeral director, allowing the funeral to proceed.

  • A white form (BD8) to be sent to the Department of Work and Pensions, which gives details of pension or benefits.

  • A death certificate – there will be a charge of £11 per copy required. These are the copies that you will require for Banks, Insurance Companies etc.

H. M. Coroner

There are a number of reasons why a death may need to be referred to a Coroner. However, this should not give cause for undue alarm. The Coroner is a judicial officer, independent of local and central government, who is required to act in accordance with certain laws. Any sudden or unexplained death must be reported to the Coroner who will ascertain the cause of death and if necessary, investigate any unusual circumstances.

Occasionally the Coroner may be able to establish by simple enquiry whether the death was due to natural causes, and therefore will allow a doctor to issue the death certificate. If this is not the case, a post-mortem examination may need to be held. This examination will usually indicate the cause of death and then the Coroner will issue the relevant paper work to the registrar and funeral director, allowing the funeral to proceed. However, if no obvious cause of death is found, toxicology may be required.

If the death is not due to natural causes, for example a road accident, the Coroner is obliged to hold an inquest. This is to determine:

  • The person’s identity.

  • When, how and where the death occurred.

  • The cause of death.

The inquest may be adjourned for several weeks while the relevant information is gathered. However, the Coroner will issue the relevant documentation for burial or cremation and provide the next of kin with an Interim Death Certificate until the inquest is finalised. This certificate can then be used for bank and insurance purposes.

I am fully conversant in this area, and we will liaise with the Coroner on your behalf.

Probate

When someone dies, somebody has to deal with their estate. This involves collecting the money, paying debts and distributing what remains to those who are entitled to it. Probate is the court’s authority, given to a person to administer the deceased’s estate and the document issued is called the Grant of Representation. This document is usually required by the asset holders as proof to show the correct person has the probate services’ authority to administer the deceased person’s estate. The probate service deals with ‘non-contentious’ probate business and issues Grants of Representation, either:

  • Probate – When a deceased person has left a valid will and an executor is acting.

  • Letters of administration with a will – When a person has left a valid will but no executor is acting.

  • Letters of administration – This is usually when there is no valid will.

These grants appoint people known as personal representatives to administer the deceased person’s estate.