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Losing 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
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
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.
The arrangements can be either at home or at our premises
and does involve a number of decisions. These are important,
as once the funeral is over they cannot be changed.
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 doctors name. The funeral director
will also need to know who has issued the Medical Cause
of Death 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 Cost
The final invoice will be made up of two parts:
- The charges for the goods and services supplied by
ourselves , the Funeral Director
- The fees paid by the funeral director on your behalf
to outside organisations. Such as cemetery, crematorium,
doctor, minister, church, florist and newspapers etc.
We will prepare our account and send it to you approximately
three weeks after the funeral.
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