Your guide through life’s toughest moments - What to do when someone dies

We understand grief is exhausting; let our compassionate team guide you through what to do when someone dies, one step at a time. We are here to offer expert advice and support.

In the midst of grief, we know it can be hard to face the practical things that need to be done, which is why we have set out below the three important things that you need to do in the first few days following a death…

Obtain a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

This form is the official record of the cause of death and is required to enable you to register the death (next step below). Either the attending GP (if death occurred at home or at a care home) or the Bereavement/Patient Affairs Office (if death occurred at a hospital) will provide this form to the appropriate Registry Office.

Register the death at a Registry Office

You must register this within five days of the death and at the Registry Office in the area where the deceased passed away. Registering the death needs to be completed by the legally responsible person, which is usually the next of kin, a close relative or the Executor of the deceased. The death can also be registered by someone who was present at the time of death, the occupier of the premises where the death occurred, or the person who is responsible for arranging the funeral.

A representative from the Registry Office will either contact you as next of kin once they have received the MCCD, or you can register the death by booking an online appointment with the Registry Office (via their website), and a representative will call you at the appointed time.

The Registrar will require the following information from you:

Date and place of death
Full name and address of the deceased (including maiden name if the deceased had been married)
Date and place of birth
Occupation
Name and address of their husband or wife, or civil partner
Your name, address and your relationship to the deceased
Whether the deceased received a pension from public funds

Please note that if the Coroner is involved, as your funeral director, we can provide you with more information. Contact us and we can discuss the different procedures that may need to be followed.

The Registrar will then provide you with:

Certified copies of the entry, i.e., the Death Certificate. This certificate is available at the time of registration, and you may consider purchasing additional copies for insurance purposes or in order to close existing bank accounts, etc. The Registrar will charge a fee for each copy they provide. You are able to arrange for additional copies at a later date, the fees charged for copies issued on a separate occasion may be higher.
Certificate for burial or cremation (ie the ‘Green Form’). This form enables the funeral to go ahead. It will be emailed to you, and you should forward it on to your chosen Funeral Director.
A ‘Tell Us Once’ reference number. This online service enables you to inform most government departments of the death in one go.

Appoint a Funeral Director

As your funeral director, we will be able to assist you with the documentation required for cremation or burial, and help with all aspects of the service.

We offer a simple, dignified, direct cremation with no upfront payments or hidden fees

£1,495

A direct cremation is more affordable than standard cremation

When a death occurs we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us if you need help and advice around bereavement even if not considering us as funeral director.

Our direct cremation process

1. We're ready to listen

If a loved one of yours has recently died, or if they are nearing the end of their life, we’ll gladly help you to make the arrangements. The first step is to give us a call.

2. Collecting your loved one

We don’t need to collect your loved one immediately, so please take your time in saying your goodbyes. Once you’re ready for us, we’ll bring them into our care.

3. Supporting you and your family

Whilst your loved one is resting safely in our modern, managed mortuary facilities, we’ll guide you through all the legal paperwork, ensuring the cremation can go ahead smoothly.

4. A chance to say farewell

We know that it’s important for some families to say goodbye at a ceremony before the cremation. If you would like, we can help you arrange a simple ceremony at a local crematorium or you can say your goodbyes at our chapel of rest.

5. The cremation

For those without a ceremony, we’ll make sure to let you know at what time the cremation will take place, so that you can have a moment of quiet reflection to yourself.

6. Your loved one's ashes

Depending on what you’d like, we can either hand-deliver the ashes to you at home. Or we can scatter them respectfully on your behalf at the crematorium’s own Garden of Remembrance.

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“A review from a client who benefited from your product. Reviews can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”

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“A review from a client who benefited from your product. Reviews can be a highly effective way of establishing credibility and increasing your company's reputation.”

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We offer a great-value direct cremation funeral plan. It is an easy way to organise your funeral arrangements in advance and specify your wishes.

£1,825

A direct cremation is more affordable than standard cremation, you can pay monthly – from £19.01*

If you’re looking to make plans for the future, our dedicated planning team is available Monday to Friday, 9 to 5pm.