Loosing a close relative or friend is one of the most painful experiences any of us can ever face. As your Funeral Director we are here to help relieve as much of the stress and trauma that you are experiencing and as professionals assist you in making as many of the arrangements as is required.

When a death occurs

Few of us are aware of the many practical things that need to be done after someone has died. This is a time when you are probably feeling shocked and confused. The following information gives you a practical guide to the steps which need to be taken after someone has died.

Things to do as soon as possible:

If a death occurs at home there are a number of people who should be contacted as soon as possible, they are:

• The family doctor
• The nearest relative, if not already present
• The funeral director
• The relevant minister of religion (if appropriate)

And please if you think there are any unusual circumstances at all - for instance, if the death was accidental, sudden, violent, or the cause completely unknown - then contact the police at once. Do not touch or move anything in the room.

If the death occurs in hospital or a nursing home then the staff will be able to take care of any immediate arrangements and notify the doctor and funeral director for you.

If the cause of death is quite clear and the doctor has attended the deceased during his or her last illness and within the last 28 days he will issue a medical certificate. This is an official notice of the cause of death and will be needed when the death is registered.

If the cause or circumstances of the death are in anyway uncertain there is a possibility it will be reported to the Coroner (a lawyer responsible for investigating certain deaths). In such a case there may be a slight delay, as the Coroner may need to arrange for a Post-mortem examination. If this is necessary further advice can be obtained from your Funeral Director, who will be available for help and advice at any time throughout.

As your Funeral Director we will then take responsibility for making further arrangements.

Funeral Arrangements

As soon as we are notified of the death, we will gather preliminary information and ascertain when it will be convenient to make the arrangements which can be made either at home or in our office.

The person arranging the funeral must be authorised to do so, this person would normally be the nearest surviving relative or an appointed executor.

Your funeral director will require details of the person who has died including their name, age, address, religion, place of death and doctor’s name and whether the funeral is to be burial or cremation.

The funeral director will also discuss matters relating to the clergy, place of service i.e. Home, Our Funeral Home or Church, day and time of funeral, selection of coffin, limousines, press notices, flowers or donations in lieu etc.

Registration of the Death

The nearest surviving relative or executor will be required to attend the registrars office to formally register the death. The person who attends will be required to take the Medical Certificate of Death, the deceased's medical card and the full details of the deceased and their spouse (if appropriate). Your Funeral Director will advise you.

Funeral Costs

The final invoice will be made up of two parts:

1. The charges for the goods and services supplied by ourselves , the Funeral Director
2. The fees paid by the funeral director on your behalf to others, such as cemetery & crematorium charges, doctor fees, minister, church, florist and newspapers etc.

Paying for the Funeral

We will prepare our account and send it to you approximately two weeks after the funeral.