What to do when someone dies

When a death occurs, it can be overwhelming and emotional.

It can also be a very confusing time wondering what happens next and what needs to be arranged

The information here is a
step-by-step guide of what
you need to do, and what will happen
in the days following a death

Every death is unique, so this information may change depending on the circumstances, but we are always here to help if you have any questions.

We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Please contact us on 01663 308 300 and we will be able to offer you advice and guide you through the process

If it is an expected death at a family home

Call the deceased GP Practice and nearest relative if that is not you. If the death occurs outside of GP office hours, call NHS 111 who will be able to assist you. You don't have to do this right away if you would like some time with them.
The GP will attend to confirm your loved one has passed away. This process can also be conducted by a senior nurse.
When death has been certified and the family is ready, please call us on 01663 308 300 (We are on call 24 hours a day 7 days a week).
Our team will attend and bring your loved one into our care in our Chapel of Rest.
In the days that follow the Medical Examiner will issue a 'Medical Certificate of cause of death'
You can then make an appointment by telephone or online with your local Registrars to register the death. Once you have an appointment please advise us so that we can make an appointment for you to meet with one of our Funeral Directors. You will need to bring the Green Form (known as the Certificate of Burial) given to you by the Registrars so we can begin the process of arranging your loved ones Funeral.

If the death was not expected (family home)

If the death was unexpected you must call emergency services on 999. They will contact the coroner.
The coroner will arrange for a local Funeral Director to collect the deceased to take them to the hospital mortuary.
The coroner will issue a 'Medical Certificate of cause of death' when they have finished their investigation, but you can still contact us in the meantime to start arranging the funeral.

If it is an expected death in Hospital

The Medical Examiner will issue a 'Medical Certificate of cause of death' which will be needed to register the death. This certificate will be given directly to the registrars and they will inform you once this has been done.
You will have 5 days to register the death.
You can then contact Amethyst Funerals and we will arrange with the hospital to bring your loved one into our care. You do not need to be there on that day.

If the death was not expected (Hospital)

A post-mortem examination may need to be carried out by the hospital to establish the cause of death. If they are unable to find out then cause, the coroner will be contacted and they will investigate further.
A 'Medical Certificate of cause of death' will then be issued by the coroner once their investigations are finished.
Sometimes an 'interim; certificate is issued whilst further investigations take place.
You can then contact Amethyst Funerals to bring your loved one into our care. You do not have to be there on that day.

If it is an expected death in a Care Home/Hospice

Staff at the Care Home or Hospice will contact medical professionals to verify the death.
Once death has been verified you can contact Amethyst Funerals to bring your loved one into our care.
In the meantime the Medical Examiner will issue a 'Medical Certificate of cause of death', which is needed before you can register the death. This certificate will be forwarded directly to the registrars and they will inform you once it has been sent.
You will then have 5 days to register the death.

If the death was not expected (Care Home/Hospice)

If the death at a Care Home or Hospice was unexpected the emergency services must be informed. They will contact the coroner to investigate the cause of death.
The coroner will then instruct a local Funeral Director to collect the deceased and take them to the hospital mortuary.
Once the coroner has finished their investigation they will issue a 'Medical Certificate of cause of death'. They may issue an 'interim' certificate so that you can begin to arrange the funeral.

Information the Funeral Director will need

Once the death has been certified, you can contact Amethyst Funerals. We will require some information about the deceased, including their:

Name
Date of birth (this can be provided later if you don't know)
Home address
The address where they are to be collected from
Their religion
Their relationship to you

We will then begin the process of bringing your loved one into our care.

Registering a Death

The 'Medical Certificate of cause of death' will be sent to the registrars by the Medical Examiner. They will let you know once they have done this.

You can then make an appointment with the local Register Office either by telephone or online.

You can start making funeral arrangements before you have registered the death.

Arranging the Funeral

If Amethyst Funeral have taken your loved one into our care we will contact you to make an appointment to start the Funeral Arrangements. This could either be in our Funeral Home or your own home, whichever is more comfortable for you.

Or you can contact us on 01663 308 300 to begin the process of bringing your loved one into our care and to make an appointment for an arrangement meeting.

Before the arrangement meeting you may want to think about:

Will it be a Burial or Cremation
Where the service will be held (Place of Worship/Crematorium/or our Memorial Chapel)
Music, Hymns, Readings
Any personal touches you want to include - will it be a celebratory, religious, relaxed or traditional service
Who will conduct the service - Celebrant or Religious Officiant