Arranging a Funeral

What you need to know in Times Of Bereavement

 

When death occurs at home:

Inform the doctor as soon as possible that death has occurred. He/she may write out the Medical Certificate Of Death when he/she visits the house, or may request that you attend the surgery for this purpose.

 

When death occurs in hospital:

The procedure is very similar. Apply to the hospital for the Medical Certificate Of Death and not your family doctor.

In either case you will need this certificate to register the death.

 

The Coroner:

In cases where the death has been reported to the Coroner the procedure is somewhat different. No doctor will issue a Certificate. The coroner will issue a notification of death to the Registrar's Office in the district where the death occurred. The Coroner may send this directly to the Registrar, or they may request that you collect the notification from their office. In either case the Coroner will contact you to advise you of the procedure.

 

How To Register A Death

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Who can register

• A close relative of the deceased.

• A relative in attendance during the deceased's last illness.

• A relative living in the district where death occurred.

• A person present at death.

• The person responsible for making the funeral arrangements.

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Documents required

• The Medical Certificate Of Death.

• The deceased's Medical Card if available, or

• The Birth Certificate & information regarding the date of birth.

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Information required to register

• Date and place of death.

• Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable).

• Date and place of birth.

• Occupation and home address.

• If married, full name and occupation of surviving spouse.

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Certificates

• Disposal Certificate (Green) for the Funeral Director.

• Social Security Certificate to be handed in at the DWP Offices with any pension books.

• Copies of Entry Of Death for banks, solicitors, insurance etc.

 

Costs and Charges

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In all aspects of the funeral arrangements our staff will point out the procedures and legal requirements. Whilst arranging the funeral, we will advise on costs and charges to be incurred, culminating in a full written estimate that should be agreed and signed by you, so that you feel confident with the funeral commitment you have arranged.

 

The funeral account itself is divided into two parts:

1. The first part consists of the Funeral Director's Fees. These include our professional fees and overhead costs, including the provision of a 24 hour emergency call-out rota, the conveyance of the deceased to our premises, our professional services in making the funeral arrangements and arranging all documentation.

 

2. The second part of the fees consists of the Disbursements which we pay out on your behalf, and include Doctor's Fees where applicable, Crematorium / Cemetery Fees, Church Fees etc. Our written estimate will detail the approximate costs of any disbursements. However, you will appreciate that we have no direct control over these fees, and they could therefore be subject to slight variations. We usually ask for a deposit, to cover the cost of the disbursements, which are paid out before the funeral.

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Help With Funeral Costs

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You may receive help if there is not enough money to pay for the funeral and you are responsible for making the funeral arrangements, and you are receiving any of the following benefits; Income Support, Housing Benefit, Family Credit or Council Tax Benefit.

 

Check what amount of money is available from the estate of the person who has died, such as money from bank or building society accounts, any insurance policies or lump sum payments made by a pension scheme. Also check if there is any money available from relatives (either yours, or those of the person who has died). Finally check any savings you may have in a bank or building society, National Savings (including certificates and premium bonds) or in cash at home. The Benefits Agency will take into account any savings in your name or the name of your partner. The Widows Payment does not count as savings. The social fund may then make a contribution towards the cost of a simple funeral within the United Kingdom.

 

After the Funeral

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Floral Tributes

Floral Tributes express your personal remembrance, and also bring comfort to the bereaved. These can also be delivered to a nursing home or other establishment following the funeral, where they will continue to bring pleasure to other people.

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Donations to Charity

If donations to charity are requested in lieu of flowers we will accept and list donations on your behalf and forward them to a charity of your choice in due course.

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Cremated Remains

At the time of making funeral arrangements, in the case of cremation, it is not always easy to realise the emotional benefit that is gained after the funeral by having somewhere to go, a place that you and your family can go back to, knowing that a loved one is there. As well as having the remains scattered in the gardens of remembrance, they can also be buried in some local cemeteries, where the small grave may be marked with a headstone.