Guiding you through the next steps

Experiencing the death of a loved one can be a very difficult time, with many unsure of what to do after someone dies and what the next steps are. Many seek solace in keeping busy during a bereavement, so here is some guidance on what you will need to do if your loved one has recently passed away.

Firstly, if there has been a death at home, the first step is to contact the GP of the deceased who will visit the home to certify that a death has taken place. Following this, they will determine the cause of death and issue a death certificate.

If the death has occurred at a hospital, nursing home or residential home, the doctor who attends the death will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and a member of nursing staff or the administration officer will advise you when and from where you can collect the death certificate. 

In the case of a sudden or unexplained death, it is in the general interest of the community that it is investigated by an HM Coroner. We will provide a Home Office booklet with full details of the coroner’s procedure should you require one.

Once these stages are complete, most families prefer for their loved one to be taken to our Chapel of Rest, which can be arranged by giving us a call at a time convenient to you, day or night. We will then proceed with working alongside you to make the necessary funeral arrangements. 

Upon receipt of the required certificates, you can register the death at your local registrar’s office within five days of the passing; we can advise on which office is most suitable for you. When doing so, you will need to provide the following details:

• Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
• Date and place of death
• Full name of the deceased (and maiden name if deceased was a married woman)
• Their date and place of birth
• Their occupation (and, if applicable, full name and occupation of spouse/civil partner)
• Their address
• If married/in a civil partnership, the date of birth of surviving significant other
• Their medical card

The documents of the deceased which you should bring includes:

• Passport
• Proof of address (council tax or utility bills)
• If applicable, marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Birth certificate
• Bringing along your own current passport would also be useful

The documents you will receive

• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the green form) gives permission for burial or an application for cremation. This should be given to us as soon as possible
• A Death Certificate (Certified Copy of an Entry of Death). You can buy extra certificates – these will be needed for sorting out the person’s affairs. We recommend that you buy 6 copies in total
• A Certificate of Registration of Death (form BD8) – you may need to fill this out and return it if the person was getting a state pension or benefits

If you have experienced a bereavement, let the experienced team at The Martins take care of the next steps. Based in Crawley, we provide support and guidance to the local community during their time of grief. Simply contact us today on 01293 552 345 or fill in our handy contact form and we’ll take care of the rest.

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