We’re Here to Guide You Through the First Steps
Losing someone can feel overwhelming – especially when you’re unsure what to do next. We are here to walk you through each step with clarity and compassion.
We’re here when you need us most
Call us any time on our
Waterhouse office: 01435 882219 or
Heathfield office: 01435 862648
What to do when someone dies
Our step by step guide helps you navigate the immediate steps and the essential arrangements that need to be made during this difficult time.
We’re here when you need us most
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call us any time on: 020 8592 0164
(or your local West & Coe office)
What to do when someone dies
Our step by step guide helps you navigate the immediate steps and the essential arrangements that need to be made during this difficult time.
Download our checklist
A helpful printable list of key things to remember in the days following a loss — from who to notify, to documents you may need.
What to Do When Someone Dies
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
If someone dies at home
After a death has been confirmed, we are able to be with you whenever you prefer.
Most families would require us to be with them shortly afterwards, some however may wish to spend more time with their loved one. Whatever the wishes, our professional and caring staff will be with you anytime, day or night to move back to our Chapel of Rest. We will also be on hand to guide you through the registration process.
Is Unexpected
When a death is unexpected and the cause is unclear or of a sudden nature, an accident or industrial disease, the coroner is legally bound to become involved. In most cases their involvement is a formality and although an examination may be necessary to ascertain the cause of death, this should not delay the funeral taking place. In circumstances where the coroner can not establish the cause of death or is a result of an industrial disease or accident a formal inquest may be held. In this case you will be informed by the coroner and advised of the necessary procedures.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Nursing and Care Home
Once a death has been confirmed, our professional and caring staff are able to attend and remove your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest. On most occasions the duty manager at the home will contact us on the family’s behalf.
We prioritise discretion and sensitivity when attending a nursing or care home, priding ourselves on maintaining the highest level of respect for your loved one, the staff, and other residents .
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will take care of arrangements and have the deceased taken to the hospital mortuary. Following the completion of necessary documentation, we will be able to move your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest.
When a death occurs abroad
We are fully aware of all legal processes and requirements and are pleased to advise at any time.
Guidelines
Contact the deceased’s insurance company
- Check for travel, medical, or life insurance policies.
Many policies cover repatriation costs and may provide support for documentation and coordination and may notify the local authorities.
Contact local authorities
- Report the death to the local police or relevant authority in the country where it occurred.
- They will issue an official local death certificate, which you’ll need for all further steps.
Contact the British Embassy or Consulate
The embassy or consulate can:
- Help notify the deceased’s family (if you are not next of kin).
- Provide a list of local funeral directors in the country of death.
- Assist in arranging repatriation (returning the body or ashes home).
- Help you translate and authenticate documents (e.g., death certificate).
- Issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (in U.S. cases, for example), which can serve as an official record back home.
Obtain documentation
You will typically need:
- The local death certificate (translated and possibly apostilled or legalised).
- The deceased’s passport and identification.
- A certificate of embalming and certificate of sealing the coffin (if repatriating a body).
- A letter from the consulate authorising the transport of remains (if required by airlines or border authorities).
Register the death in the UK
Once you have the foreign death certificate, register the death in the UK. The coroner will need to be informed to verify the cause of death.
- They will advise where and how you register the death in the UK
- and will require translated, legalized copies of documents.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
If someone dies at home
After a death has been confirmed, we are able to be with you whenever you prefer.
Most families would require us to be with them shortly afterwards, some however may wish to spend more time with their loved one. Whatever the wishes, our professional and caring staff will be with you anytime, day or night to move back to our Chapel of Rest. We will also be on hand to guide you through the registration process.
Is Unexpected
When a death is unexpected and the cause is unclear or of a sudden nature, an accident or industrial disease, the coroner is legally bound to become involved. In most cases their involvement is a formality and although an examination may be necessary to ascertain the cause of death, this should not delay the funeral taking place. In circumstances where the coroner can not establish the cause of death or is a result of an industrial disease or accident a formal inquest may be held. In this case you will be informed by the coroner and advised of the necessary procedures.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Nursing and Care Home
Once a death has been confirmed, our professional and caring staff are able to attend and remove your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest. On most occasions the duty manager at the home will contact us on the family’s behalf.
We prioritise discretion and sensitivity when attending a nursing or care home, priding ourselves on maintaining the highest level of respect for your loved one, the staff, and other residents .
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will take care of arrangements and have the deceased taken to the hospital mortuary. Following the completion of necessary documentation, we will be able to move your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest.
When a death occurs abroad
We are fully aware of all legal processes and requirements and are pleased to advise at any time.
Guidelines
Contact the deceased’s insurance company
- Check for travel, medical, or life insurance policies.
Many policies cover repatriation costs and may provide support for documentation and coordination and may notify the local authorities.
Contact local authorities
- Report the death to the local police or relevant authority in the country where it occurred.
- They will issue an official local death certificate, which you’ll need for all further steps.
Contact the British Embassy or Consulate
The embassy or consulate can:
- Help notify the deceased’s family (if you are not next of kin).
- Provide a list of local funeral directors in the country of death.
- Assist in arranging repatriation (returning the body or ashes home).
- Help you translate and authenticate documents (e.g., death certificate).
- Issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (in U.S. cases, for example), which can serve as an official record back home.
Obtain documentation
You will typically need:
- The local death certificate (translated and possibly apostilled or legalised).
- The deceased’s passport and identification.
- A certificate of embalming and certificate of sealing the coffin (if repatriating a body).
- A letter from the consulate authorising the transport of remains (if required by airlines or border authorities).
Register the death in the UK
Once you have the foreign death certificate, register the death in the UK. The coroner will need to be informed to verify the cause of death.
- They will advise where and how you register the death in the UK
- and will require translated, legalized copies of documents.
Not sure where to begin?
We are here to provide comprehensive support and carefully guide you through each step. Our team is available 24/7 through our personal telephone service for any information you may need. Full arrangements may then be made at a convenient time at our offices or if preferred, at your home.
Call us any time on our Waterhouse office: 01435 882219 or Heathfield office: 01435 862648
The Death Certification Process
Since 2024, all deaths in England and Wales have been subject to independent review by a medical examiner to provide families with greater accuracy and transparency. While any trained healthcare professional — such as a doctor, nurse, or paramedic — can confirm a death, the death cannot be formally registered until a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has been issued .
This will follow the following steps:
The Doctor’s Role:
A doctor who looked after your loved one will draft the certificate stating the cause of death. Under current regulations, a GP can complete this form based on their knowledge of the person’s medical history, regardless of when they last saw them. There is no longer a legal requirement for the GP to physically attend or view the deceased after death before the certificate can be issued.
Medical Examiner Review:
Every MCCD is now independently reviewed by a medical examiner. They are senior doctors who were not involved in the patient’s care. The GP will send the MCCD to the medical examiners office with the deceased medical history. The medical examiner will then review.
Next of Kin Notification:
A medical examiner or their office will then contact the next of kin. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the cause of death or raise any concerns.
Proceeding to Registration:
Once this review is confirmed the certificate (MCCD) is sent electronically (by the medical examiner’s office) to the registrar. The medical examiner will then notify you when the paperwork has been transferred, you can then contact the Register Office to book an appointment and register the death in the usual way.
If the Coroner is Involved
In certain circumstances, such as an unexpected death or where the cause is unclear, the death may be referred to a coroner.
- The coroners involvement is normally a formality and should not cause delay. Following an examination, they will issue a cause of death certificate for you to register the death of the deceased.
- Occasionally an inquest is deemed necessary. If this happens the deceased is normally released to your chosen funeral director, however the registration will only take place after the inquest has been completed, although an interim Death Certificate will be issued.
- The Coroner’s Office will guide you through each stage of the process and advise you on all necessary procedures.
Registering the Death
Once the registrar has received the electronic MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s office, you must make an appointment to register the death.
When to Register:
By law, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales. This period begins once the medical examiner or coroner has completed their review and released the necessary paperwork.
Where to Register:
You should normally register at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. Further information can be found at the end of this booklet or by using: www.gov.uk/register-offices. Most offices require a pre-booked appointment, which can often be scheduled online or by phone.
Who Can Register:
- Any relative of the deceased.
- A Partner: A long-term partner who was living with the deceased in an enduring relationship.
- Someone Present at the Death: This can include a friend, neighbour, or carer who witnessed the death or was present during the final illness.
- The owner or person in charge of the building: If the death occurred in a house, hospital, or care home, the person in charge of that building (e.g., a care home manager or hospital administrator) can register.
- The Person Arranging the Funeral: If no relatives or friends are available, the person taking legal responsibility for the funeral arrangements (often the executor of the will) can register.
Information You Will Need:
The procedure for registering a death is a simple interview with a registrar who will require the following details about your loved one:
- Full name (including any maiden names)
- Date and place of birth and death
- Last known home address
- Occupation
- Martial status
If married, the spouse’s details (name, date of birth, and occupation) - National Insurance Number
While not always mandatory, bringing a birth certificate or marriage certificate can help ensure all details are recorded accurately.
Documents You Will Receive:
- The Green Form: This certificate allows the burial or cremation to proceed. It is usually sent directly to the funeral director by the registrar.
- Death Certificates: You may wish to purchase several certified copies (currently £12.50 each) for banks, insurance, and other legal matters. Normally 3-4 copies are adequate as most organisations will need to see the original and then return. You are also able to obtain further copies at a later date.
- Tell Us Once Service: To save you from contacting multiple departments individually, the registrar will offer you the Tell Us Once service. You will receive a unique code for the government’s Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple departments (such as the DWP or DVLA) simultaneously.
The Death Certification Process
As of 2024, all deaths in England and Wales are now subject to an independent review by a Medical Examiner to ensure accuracy and transparency for families. Following a death any trained healthcare professional (i.e. doctor, registered nurse or paramedic) can confirm a person has died. However, before a death can be registered, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must be issued. This will follow the following steps:
The Doctor’s Role:
A doctor who looked after your loved one will draft the certificate stating the cause of death. Under current regulations, a GP can complete this form based on their knowledge of the person’s medical history, regardless of when they last saw them. There is no longer a legal requirement for the GP to physically attend or view the deceased after death before the certificate can be issued.
Medical Examiner Review:
Every MCCD is now independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner. They are senior doctors who were not involved in the patient’s care. The GP will send the MCCD to the Medical Examiners office with the deceased medical history. The Medical Examiner will then review.
Next of Kin Notification:
A Medical Examiner or their office will then contact the next of kin. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the cause of death or raise any concerns.
Proceeding to Registration:
Once this review is confirmed the certificate (MCCD) is sent electronically (by the Medical Examiner’s office) to the Registrar. Once you have been notified by the Medical Examiner that the paperwork has been transferred, you can then contact the Register Office to book an appointment and register the death in the usual way.
If the Coroner is Involved
In certain circumstances, such as an unexpected death or where the cause is unclear the death may be referred to a Coroner.
- The coroners involvement is normally a formality and should not cause delay. Following an examination, they will issue a cause of death certificate for you to register the death of the deceased.
- Occasionally an inquest is deemed necessary. If this happens the deceased is normally released to your chosen funeral director, however the registration will only take place after the inquest has been completed.
- The Coroner’s Office will guide you through each stage of the process and advise you on all necessary procedures
Registering the Death
Once the Registrar has received the electronic MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s office, you must make an appointment to register the death.
When to Register:
By law, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales. This period begins once the Medical Examiner or Coroner has completed their review and released the necessary paperwork.
Where to Register:
You should normally register at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. Information can also be found by using the GOV.UK Register Office Finder. Most offices require a pre-booked appointment, which can often be scheduled online or by phone.
Who Can Register:
- Any relative of the deceased.
- A Partner: A long-term partner who was living with the deceased in an enduring relationship.
- Someone Present at the Death: This can include a friend, neighbour, or carer who witnessed the death or was present during the final illness.
- The owner or person in charge of the building: If the death occurred in a house, hospital, or care home, the person in charge of that building (e.g., a care home manager or hospital administrator) can register.
- The Person Arranging the Funeral: If no relatives or witnesses are available, the person taking legal responsibility for the funeral arrangements (often the executor of the will) can register.
Information You Will Need:
The procedure for registering a death is a simple interview with a registrar who will require the following details about your loved one:
Full name (including any maiden names)
Date and place of birth and death
Last known home address
Occupation
Martial status
If married, the spouse’s details (name, date of birth, and occupation)
National Insurance Number
While not always mandatory, bringing a birth certificate or marriage certificate can help ensure all details are recorded accurately.
Documents You Will Receive:
- The Green Form: This certificate allows the burial or cremation to proceed. It is usually sent directly to the Funeral Director by the Registrar.
- Death Certificates: You may wish to purchase several certified copies (currently £12.50 each) for banks, insurance, and other legal matters. Normally 3-4 copies are adequate as most organisations will need to see the original and then return. You are also able to obtain further copies at a later date.
- Tell Us Once Service: To save you from contacting multiple departments individually, the Registrar will offer you the Tell Us Once service. You will receive a unique code for the government’s Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple departments (such as the DWP or DVLA) simultaneously.
Things to Remember
We’ve created a downloadable checklist to help you feel more in control during these early days.
Speak with your local team
If you’d like to visit in person, or speak with a member of our team, we’re just a call away.
Testimonials From
Families We Have Helped
