When Someone Dies

Help & Support

What to Do When Someone Dies

Below is some helpful information regarding the death of a loved one and the steps that need to be taken next.

This information can also be found in the SAIF guide ‘5 Things To Do Before You Die’ on the button below and also includes a section ‘Funeral Wishes’ which helps to ask some of the same questions when making funeral arrangements.

5 Things to Do Before You Die

What do I do now?

The Procedure to follow after a death will depend on the circumstances surrounding the death. A Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death must be obtained from a doctor. This Certificate will enable you to register the death and obtain the Death Certificate.

When The Death Occurs At Home

When The Death Occurs In A Hospice Or Nursing Home

The staff of the hospice or nursing home will support you in obtaining the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and will care for your loved one until they are conveyed to our funeral home in a dignified and caring manner.

When The Death Occurs In Hospital

The bereavement services department of the hospital will assist you in obtaining the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death via the hospital doctor enabling you to register the death.

Your loved one will remain in the hospital mortuary until the death has been registered.

Once this has taken place we will make arrangements to convey your loved one into our care.

When The Death Is Referred To The Coroner

Sometimes the Coroner will need to be informed when a Doctor cannot issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. In these circumstances the Coroners Office will most likely produce a certificate once the cause of death has been established.

This will then enable the funeral arrangements to proceed and the death to be legally registered.

Registering a Death – Who May Register?

If the person died in a house or a hospital, the death can be registered by:

• A relative
• Someone present at the death
• An official from the hospital
• The person arranging the Funeral

Deaths occurring anywhere else can be registered by:

• A relative
• Someone present at the death
• The person who found the body
• The person in charge of the body
• The person arranging the Funeral

Registration must take place within 5 days of the death. Most deaths are registered by a relative.
The Registrar would normally only allow other people if there are no relatives available.

Click the button below to visit the Government website and register a death.

Essex Registrars - Tel: 0345 603 7632 - www.essex.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-deaths

Documents & Information You Will Need

Documents:

When registering a death you will need the following:

• Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death
And if available:
• Council Tax bill

• Driving Licence

• Passport
• Proof of Address

• Birth Certificate

• NHS Medical Card
• Marriage / Civil Partnership Certificate

Information you will need to tell the Registrar:

• The person’s full name at time of death

• Any names previously used (e.g. maiden name)

• The person’s date and place of birth

• Their last address

• Their occupation
• The full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse, late spouse or civil partner

• Whether they were receiving a State Pension or any other benefit

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

Tell Us Once will notify:

• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

• Passport Office

• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

• The Local Council

• Veterans UK

Click the button below to visit the Government website and use the service online.

Tell Us Once Service

Documents You Will Receive

If a post-mortem is not being held, the Registrar will issue you with:

• Certificate for Burial or Cremation (Green Form)
Given to the funeral director as soon as possible
• Certificate of Registration of Death (White Form)
Known as a BD8, this form is for DWP purposes
• Death Certificate
A certified copy of the entry into the register

If a post-mortem is being held to determine the cause of death and the deceased is to be cremated, the Coroner will issue a Form 6 Certificate to the Funeral Director.

Other Things That Need To Be Done

Not everything can be done straight away, particularly as this is a very difficult time for people to cope with, but it is important to:

• Make sure everyone who needs to know is told

• Arrange to see the deceased’s Solicitor and read the Will as soon as possible, this will tell you if there are any special funeral requests and who the Executors are.
• Start arranging the funeral

• Collect all the information and documents you need

Announcing A Death

Announcing A Death on Social Media

Social media is an important part of modern society and is often used to share the news when a loved one passes.

What Is A Death Announcement?

A death announcement, also known as a death notice, is traditionally placed in a newspaper. But in recent years people have posted more informal versions on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

A death announcement normally includes the following information:

• Full name (including maiden name)

• Dates of birth and death
• Location of death

• Details regarding the funeral and/or memorial service

Create An Online Tribute

Creating an online Tribute in memory of a loved one is a special way to celebrate their life. We hope that it becomes a special place for you to remember and commemorate – enabling you to share photos and memories across the world.

Visit Much Loved's website here  for more information.

Bereavement Help & Support

Please see links below that offer help during this difficult time:

Farleigh Hospice:

https://www.farleighhospice.org/advice-support/bereavement-support/circle

https://www.farleighhospice.org/advice-support/bereavement-support/yo-yo

Cruse Bereavement Support: www.cruse.org.uk

Livewell: www.livewellcampaign.co.uk

Papyrus – Prevention of young suicide: www.papyrus-uk.org

MIND – South East and Central Essex | Somewhere To Turn Service: www.secemind.org.uk/s2t