In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;
- Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
These organisations have codes of practice - they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- funeral director fees
- things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.
Visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-bereavement for more information.
NEED TO TALK TO SOMEONE?
Cruse Bereavement Counselling
Helpline 08088081677
Northamptonshire 07772428532
9.00 am – 17.00pm Mon – Fri
Email Northamptonshirecruse.org.uk
Mind
Address: 6 Regent Square, Northampton NN1 2NQ
Phone: 01604 634310
Hours: Opens Monday Wednesday and Friday 10:00 am – 16.00pm
Age UK Advice Line
Bereavement Services · Bereavement Advice And Support
0800 678 1602 Free to call 8am – 7pm
Samaritans
Call any time, day or night 116 123
196A Kettering Road, Northampton NN1 4BJ
01604631328
Need to talk to Macmillan
0808 808 0000
7 days a week 8am – 8pm
Sue Ryder Bereavement Support Service
08081644572
www.sueryder/notalone
SOBS Charity ( Charity Number 1098815) Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
@SOBSCHARITY
National Helpline 0300 111 5065
DO YOU NEED HELP WITH FINANCES?
Visit GOV.UK for a range of information, regarding Bereavement Payments and Benefits.
Home (https:// www.gov.uk/)
Benefits (https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits)
Death and benefits (https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement)