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When someone dies ... at home or in a nursing home When someone dies at home the family doctor and closest family relative must be informed. In the case of a nursing home death, the staff will arrange for the doctor to visit. The doctor who has attended the person must complete a certificate giving the cause of death ( you may be asked to collect the certificate from the surgery ). This is issued free. If the body is to be cremated, two doctors must sign a certificate - but the first doctor will instruct the second who can see the body in the chapel of rest or at the mortuary. You will also need to consider if any jewellery or belongings are to remain with the person who has died or if they are to be returned to you. Thereafter, contact your funeral director immediately. They will arrange a suitable time, day or night, to visit you. The doctor's certificate must be taken to the Registrar of Births and Deaths, normally within five days. ... in hospital If someone dies in hospital the health authority may give the certificate to the Registrar who attends the hospital but someone must attend the registration office. This will be the district office which covers the hospital which may not be the same office as for the place of residence. Sometimes the hospital will want to carry out a post mortem, for which it will need consent from the nearest relative. Thereafter, contact your funeral director immediately. They will arrange a suitable time, day or night, to visit you. If possible, you should advise the hospital if the funeral is to be a cremation, as this will allow them time to arrange for the necessary extra documentation to be completed. ... suddenly If there is doubt about the cause of death ( for example, the death was sudden and the doctor had not seen the person within fourteen days of death, or if they had no general practitioner ) the coroner must be informed, and will decide whether it is necessary to hold a post mortem. If the death is then considered to be from natural causes, the coroner will issue a notification that they do not consider it necessary to hold an inquest, and this may be given to a relative to take to the Registrar or sent to the Registrar direct. It will always be necessary for someone to attend the Registrar's office in person. The Coroner will be represented by the Coroner's Officer, whose role is to liaise between the Coroner, your funeral director and yourself. They will either be a police officer or a civilian appointed by the Coroner. Contact your funeral director as soon as possible, so they can liaise with the Coroner's Officer on your behalf. Viewing The decision of whether or not anyone wishes to see the person who has died is a personal one. We cannot advise you about your preference, but many people take comfort from visiting the chapel of rest. You will need to consider whether the person is to rest at home or at the funeral directors and who among family and friends may wish to see them. If death occurs in hospital, and you would like to see the person who has died, let the hospital staff know and they will make the arrangements. Death Certificate Once the death is registered, a white certificate is issued free of charge, containing a social security form to claim any arrears of benefits due to the estate of the deceased person and to ensure that the correct benefits are paid to the widow (if applicable); and a green certificate for burial or cremation, copies of the death certificate can be purchased. A standard version will be necessary for a grant of probate or letters of administration, and currently there is a charge of £3.50 per copy. Select an option from below, or follow the 'next >>' and '<< previous' links to navigate through all the options. |
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