What to do in the event of a death?

1. What happens first
2. Registering the death
3. Funeral director
4. Cremation
5. Preparing the funeral service
6. The day of the funeral
7. After the funeral

1) What happens first

When a death occurs, a doctor must complete a medical certificate that gives the cause of death. This is placed in a sealed envelope and addressed to the registrar. This is given to the next of kin, or the person who will be registering the death. At the same time, the relative will be given a formal note stating that the doctor has signed the certificate and giving advice on how to register the death.

If the body is to be cremated, a second certificate needs to be completed, and corroborated by a second doctor on another form. There is a £62 charge for each of the two forms.

If the death was unexpected or not from natural causes, the police and a coroner may become involved. A doctor will liase with these individuals if relevant, prior to being able to issue the medical certificate.

If someone passes away at home, it is usual (although not always required) for a doctor to visit the individual, complete the relevant certificate, then a funeral director is called to take away the body.

People that you should inform in the event of a death:

1. Next of kin and any other close relations or friends.
2. The deceased’s:

  • local doctor
  • Minister of religion
  • solicitor
3. A local funeral director (if required)
4. Other companies as appropriate depending on individual circumstances (e.g. bank, utility companies, housing authorities, cancelling direct debit payments)

2) Registering the Death

Every death that occurs in England and Wales must be registered within 5 days. This is best done at the local registrar’s office where the death occurred, and usually by prior appointment. Generally, a relative of the deceased should register the deceased. If this is not possible, the hospital or the registrar will be able to confirm who else can do so.

In Scotland, a death must be registered within 8 days, and there are slight variations to where this occurs.

When meeting the registrar, the following will be needed:
  1. The medical certificate from the doctor, confirming the cause of death


  2. Information needed for the death certificate:
    • full name
    • maiden surname of a married woman
    • date and place of birth
    • occupation (previous if retired)
    • latest address
    (Note that the National Insurance number will be needed for other government forms that need to be completed)


    3. Documents which will help provide some of this information are:
    • Birth certificate
    • NHS medical card
    • Marriage certificate

  3. Payment for any official copies of the death certificate. These cost £3.50 each per copy purchased at the point of registering; the cost increases if copies are needed at a later date. The registrar will issue, free of charge, a notification of death form which can be used for National Insurance and Social Security purposes. The death certificates which can be purchased are needed for probate (the process by which the deceased’s money and possessions are allocated). Banks and solicitors often require official death certificates – photocopies will not suffice.

    The registrar will give you:

    1. The relevant number of death certificates
    2. A green certificate authorising the funeral to take place. This certificate needs to be given to the Funeral Director
    3. A white certificate (BD8 form) which needs to be completed and returned to the Department of Social Security)

3) Funeral Director

Whilst it is possible to arrange a funeral service on your own, the majority of arrangements are made via a Funeral Director.

When selecting a Funeral Director, it is advisable to choose one that is a member of one of the two trade associations:

NAFD National Association of Funeral Directors
SAIF Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors

Both these associations require their members to sign up to a Code of Practice, and have a complaints procedure. Unfortunately there are some companies who do not give you the compassion, honesty or understanding that you deserve at this difficult time.

Things to discuss with your Funeral Director:
  • Burial or cremation
  • Type of coffin
  • Where the body is to rest prior to the funeral (& whether it is open to viewing)
  • When and where the funeral will take place (a church, &/or crematorium or elsewhere?)
  • Contact details for the minister leading the service (if applicable). Alternatively, the funeral director can provide some suggested contact names.
  • Whether to have flowers or donations to a specific charity
  • Whether to put a notice in any local or national newspapers
  • Whether to have a car to transport close relatives/friends

Ensure that your Funeral Director:

  • Discusses arrangements with you in a private environment
  • Gives you options on all aspects of the funeral arrangements and allows you to make your own choices
  • Gives you a price list
  • Gives you a social benefits leaflet which outlines what financial help there is for those in need to cover funeral costs

4) Cremation

If the body is to be cremated, two additional forms need to be completed, both supplied by the funeral director or the crematorium:

  1. Form A - application for cremation and the proposed arrangements
  2. Ashes disposal form - gives instructions for the disposal of the ashes

When cremation has occurred, the crematorium will issue two certificates:

  1. certificate for the disposal of the cremated remains confirming the date and time of the cremation
  2. certificate of crematorium confirming the entry into the register.

5) Preparing the Funeral Service

There is no legal requirement to hold a ceremony of any kind, whether religious or not. However, it is usual to have some sort of service to remember the life of the departed. Where a religious service is not desired, it is usual for friends and family to attend a committal, either at a crematorium or a burial ground at which various music and readings are used.

If the deceased was a member of a specific religious group, it is advisable to contact one of the local religious leaders and be guided by them as to the format of the remembrance service.

Within most church denominations, it is common to have a service in a church, followed by the committal either at the crematorium or at a graveyard. Sometimes, just the committal takes place. Most churches have a standard form of service that can be used, but does not need to be.

Prior to the service, the religious minister will meet with the relatives of the deceased to discuss the form of service, music, songs and readings to be used. The family can ask for friends/relatives to help with the readings. The family should also help the minister by supplying details of the deceased’s life to be used in the service e.g. immediate family members, occupation, interests, life history.

Note that it is not a legal requirement to follow any lasting wishes of the deceased. It is, however, respectful to follow, as far as possible, any particular requests that may have been left.

It is often helpful to arrange some form of refreshments after the funeral service. This gives people an opportunity to discuss and share memories of their friend or relative. This can be held at someone’s house, or catering organised at a local venue.

You will need to inform people of the funeral arrangements:

  • When and where the funeral will take place
  • Whether flowers are appropriate
  • If donations are preferred, where the money will go to, and where they should be sent to
  • Whether refreshments will be available

(Note: You can input the details of the funeral service on this website. This will enable you to either print and post the details, or e-mail a link from this website)

6) The Day of the Funeral

The day of the funeral can be the most difficult one emotionally for friends and relatives. Often people have been busy making arrangements in the time after death, and this may be the first opportunity when they take time out to focus on the deceased individual. This is quite normal and to be expected.

Funeral directors are very experienced at handling the practicalities of the day, and they will ensure that things proceed smoothly and on time.

Traditionally, the hearse carrying the coffin leaves the premises where the deceased used to live, with other funeral cars (either hired from the funeral directors, or private cars) following in procession behind it. Usually one of the funeral directors will walk in front of the procession just as it leaves the house – this is as a mark of respect, and also allows the funeral procession to be kept together as it moves on to a main road. It is also common now for relatives and friends to meet the coffin at the location where the service is being held. The flowers which have been selected for the occasion are placed on top of the coffin.

If a church service is being held, it is typical for the funeral directors to take the coffin in with the family following behind. Seats will have been reserved at the front of the church. The service will proceed as previously planned, with the chosen readings and songs. The minister will give a short eulogy, based on their knowledge of the individual and previous conversations with family members. This is often the most touching part of the service as it is the most personal and many of the people who are present will learn something new about the individual being remembered.

After the service, the coffin will be taken out, followed again by the family. If the individual is to be buried, family and friends then move to the graveyard (which may or may not be in the grounds of the church). A small service of committal is held as the coffin is lowered into the grave (which is filled in at a later time). If the deceased is to be cremated, the funeral party will travel to the crematorium where a further short service will be held. As the final words are said, the coffin is mechanically transferred out of sight behind curtains, and the mourners leave the crematorium chapel. Outside, the various floral tributes are displayed. The tribute cards are collected later by the funeral directors who will forward them to the family. The flowers are generally placed within the crematorium grounds at the place where a memorial plaque to the deceased is to be placed.

If refreshments are being provided, then people will move on to this location. This can be an uplifting time, as friends and family who may not have seen each other for a while are united. Happy memories of their loved one are shared between each other, and latest news on other family members are exchanged.

7) After the Funeral

Following the funeral service, the various bills relating to the funeral service will need to be paid – to the funeral directors, the crematorium and the church. Often these invoices arrive before the estate of the deceased has been cleared, but the relevant solicitor is able to provide the funds to the funeral director if a copy of the relevant bill is sent to them. The funeral directors will also provide a list of those people who have sent donations to them (the amount given per individual is not listed) and forward those donations to the relevant charities.

The resting place for the ashes of the deceased will have been decided earlier in the discussions with the funeral director, and these wishes will have been carried out. It is usual for the ashes to be scattered or buried at the place where the memorial plaque is to be laid – close relatives are able to attend this simple ceremony if they wish. If alternative wishes are to be carried out, the ashes are given to the family of the deceased in an urn or casket.

If a headstone or a plaque is required, permission from the relevant graveyard or crematorium will be needed. The Funeral Director generally handles this aspect. If a headstone is to be placed, this should be done a number of months after the burial, as the ground needs to settle properly.

This website also offers the opportunity to leave a more detailed memorial. Photos of the individual can be added, together with a short history of their life, interests and achievements. If you would like to set up a lasting on-line memorial please follow this link .

Many people feel a mixed range of emotions after the death of a loved one – loneliness, unhappiness, guilt or anger. Sometimes these emotions are felt immediately after the death – sometimes months or even years later. It is important to realise that everyone has unique memories and experiences of that loved one, and so no two people’s grief will be the same. There are a number of different support groups which are only too willing to help people - follow this link for the addresses of some of these.

The loss of a friend or family member is a sad event. Sometimes time helps, sometimes it doesn’t. Do remember, though, that no-one or nothing can take away the experiences and memories that you have of that individual.

Remember the departed to inspire the living