Advice & Guides
Below are comprehensive guides to the steps you need to take when arranging the funeral of a loved one.
What should I do when a death occurs?
If the death is expected and occurs at home:
- Contact the deceased’s doctor and inform them of the death
- Once the doctor has given permission to move the deceased, you may contact us and we will aim to be with you within 1-2 hours, to move the person who has died into our care
- The doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the family representative for registration purposes
If the death occurs at a Nursing Home:
- If a resident dies in a nursing home the GP (or qualified nurse on duty) can verify death
- The GP will issue a medical certificate for the family to collect which will allow them to register
- Most nursing homes will record the resident’s funeral wishes on their care plan. This will specify the chosen Funeral Director and whether the deceased wanted a cremation or a burial.
- Once called, we will remove the deceased into our care
If the death occurs in Hospital:
- If death occurs at the hospital, then the Doctors and Nurses will liaise with the hospital Bereavement Office, who will arrange all the appropriate paperwork on your behalf.
In cases of sudden and unexpected death:
- If a death is unexpected then dial 999 and request an ambulance and police immediately, explaining the circumstances. In the event of an unexpected death occurring, then a coroner may become involved and may order a post-mortem to be carried out to establish an accurate cause of death. The coroner’s officer will keep you informed should this be the case and will liaise with us.
Where is my loved one taken after they die?
In cases where the Coroner is required to investigate the death, the deceased will be taken to a hospital or mortuary until a post-mortem examination is completed. If the death is expected, the funeral director will collect the deceased from the place of death and transport them to the appropriate chapel of rest, pending the arrangement of the funeral. Many large companies have central mortuaries or “hubs” where they store the deceased.
Here at W. Uden & Sons, each of our funeral homes are equipped with their own chapel of rest and have fully hygienic facilities for the care of your loved one. The only exception to this is our Dulwich branch, which shares these facilities with our branch at Camberwell.
Can I arrange a funeral before I register the death?
Yes, once the deceased’s death has been certified, call your local branch and our experienced staff will guide you through the process of arranging the funeral. The only exception is when the Coroner has indicated that he intends to hold a full inquest into the circumstances surrounded the death.
Where can I register a death?
Please click here to find details of your local Registrar Office
Who can register a death?
- A relative
- A person present at the death
- The occupier (i.e. Matron, superintendent)
- The person arranging the funeral
What documentation do I need to register a death?
Call the registry office to make an appointment – you will need to take the following with you:
- Death Certificate of the deceased
- Medical card (if available) of the deceased
- Birth certificate & information regarding date of birth (if available) of the deceased
- Some money to pay for copies of the death certificate required to administer the deceased’s estate.
Bereavement Support
The death of a loved one can be a very distressing time, and while we are here to help you through the arrangements for the funeral, we know that it is often the time after the funeral that is the most difficult.
Please find below some links that may be of use if you would like ongoing bereavement support and advice.
There may be additional peer support services in many areas, information about these can often be found at places of worship, community centres, libraries or your doctor’s surgery.
Bereavement grants and financial support
Did you know that if your partner dies and you are under the state pension age you may be eligible to receive Bereavement Support Payment from the Government?
This Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested. This means what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get.
If you have low income and or are claiming benefits you may also be eligible to claim for a funeral support payment to assist you to pay for your loved ones funeral as well as your bereavement support payment.
How soon you make your claim can also affect how much money you can receive. You usually need to make a claim within 3 months of your partner’s death to receive the full amount, but it is certainly worth investigating even if this time has passed.
To find out more about bereavement payments all you need to do is go to www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment or call the Government bereavement helpline on 0800 151 2012
Please note, these bereavement grants are made available from the government and all questions, including eligibility, would need to be directed to them via the contact details above.
