What To Do When Somebody Dies, Arranging A Funeral

WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEBODY DIES
The executive or nearest relative has the responsibility
of making the necessary decisions and arrangements.

DEATH IN HOSPITAL OR CARE HOME
Staff will contact the person named as the next of kin.
An appointment is made for the bereaved to collect any
personal belongings and complete the formalities.
The doctor issues a medical certificate giving cause of
death.

DEATH ELSEWHERE
The person informs the doctor and the bereaved relatives
(if they know them).
If the doctor knows the cause of death he or she will 
provide a certificate which states the cause of death.
If the doctor is unsure about the actual cause of death
or has not seen the  patient within a fourteen day period
he or she cannot sign the death certificate.  The coroner
must be informed.  

THE CORONER
If there is any doubt about the cause of death, for 
example, if the death follows and injury or accident or is
a sudden or unexpected the coroner is informer.  
The body will be taken to the coroner's mortuary where 
the cause of death is investigated before a death certificate
is issued.
In Scotland there are no coroners the work is carried out
as part of the Procurator Fiscals' duties.

REGISTERING A DEATH
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a death must be
registered within five days.  In Scotland the law requires
that death is registered within eight days.
If the Coroners' or Procurator Fiscals' office is involved the
registration period can be extended as long as the registrar
is informed of the circumstances.
It is up to whoever is arranging the funeral to inform the
registrar.
Deaths must be registered by the Registrar of Births and
Death for the sub district in which the death occurred.  
You will find the address in the telephone directory under
Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages or make
enquiries at the local council, post office or police station.
In Scotland in addition to registering in the district in which 
death took place registration can be made in the district of 
Scotland in which the deceased normally lived.
The "informant" is a person qualified to register the death.
This responsibility cannot be delegated to a person who is
not recognised as qualified by the law and the Registrar will
refuse to register the death.  An informant can be any of the 
following:-

*A relative of the deceased present at the death or during the
 last illness.
*A relative who lives in the district where death occurred.
*Somebody unrelated but who was present at the time of 
 death.
*The occupier of the building where death occurred
 e.g. Matron of a Nursing Home.
*The person responsible for arranging the funeral. 
 (N.B. Not the funeral director, who is not allowed to
 register the death).

The procedure is a simple question and answer between
the registrar and the informant.  The informant should
take:-
*The Medical Certificate of cause of death.
*The deceased medical card, birth and marriage certificates
 if they are available.  Do not delay registering the death if
 you cannot find them.
*If there was a post mortem the informant will need to know
 several things about the deceased person:-
*Date and place of birth and death.
*Address, first names, surname and if marred maiden name.
*Last occupation.
*Name, date of birth and occupation of spouse.
*Details of any pensions or allowance from public funds.

The registrar will give the informant a Certificate for Burial or
Cremation and a Certificate of Registration of Death for
Social Security purposes which should be filled in and sent
to the local Social Security office so that they can deal with
pensions or other benefits.
A Death Certificate is needed for pension or insurance 
claims, there is a fee.  Several copies may be needed and
it is cheaper to purchase them when registering the death 
rather than later.

ABOUT THE FUNERAL
Decisions to be made:-
*Who is organising the funeral?  Normally the next of kin 
  or executor.
*Whether to use a funeral director to arrange whole or part
 of the or do it yourself.
*Funerals Uk  'listings' will help you to identify a funeral
 director in your area. Alternatively there are three 
 professional organisations for funeral directors who will
 provide the names and addresses of their members:

Funeral Standards Council
30, North road
Cardiff, CF1 3DY
Tel  029 2038 2046

National Association of Funeral Directors
618, Warwick Road
Solihull
West Midlands  B91 1AA
Tel 0121 711 1343

Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
Crowndale House
1 Ferdinand place
London NW1 8EE
Tel  020 7267 6777
www.saif.org.uk

*Will it be a burial or cremation?
*If a burial will it be a cemetery or woodland site?
*A religious or non-religious ceremony?
*Has everyone been told of the death and the funeral
 arrangements?
*An obituary in a local or national newspaper will stand
 some chance of informing relatives and friends you have 
 lost touch with.

While the traditional funeral service continues to be popular, 
increasingly personalised and alternative options are being
chosen. You may want a New Orleans funeral, complete
with jazz band or a football funeral. What you want is what, 
within the bounds of decency, is what you can have.
Firms like Heaven or Earth (Kingsley House, Cotham Road
South, Kingsdown, Bristol B56 5TZ 5TZ,  tel: 0117 421836)
specialise in supplying fantasy decorated coffins and
Engineers of the Imagination  (The Ellers, ,Ulverston,
Cumbria LA12 0AA, tel:01229 581127 will not only decorate
coffins but will also create a special funeral ceremony for
you. 
Undertakers With Love, Unit 1, Mondale Road, Thornaby, 
Stockton-on- Tees TS17 6AS, tel: 01642-606789  sell 
biodegradable coffins, offer advice and assistance for DIY 
funerals, woodland and non-religious funerals.Peace Burials
offer railway and football funerals and will create a special
ceremony on request contact them at St Peters Villas, 
Ridley Lane, Mawdsley, Ormskirk, Lancs L40 35X,
tel: 01704 821900.

The important thing is to make arrangements that are 'right'
for the person that has died and that you can afford.  

REPATRIATION TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY
Sending bodies abroad requires the permission of the
coroner at least four days before the body is to be moved.
The paperwork required and regulations are dependent on
the country of destination and need to be checked with
the relevant Embassy or consulate.

THE COST
Funeral Directors can provide quotes for a whole range of 
funeral services from basic to very elaborate. Discuss
your requirements and ask for an itemised quote.
The deceased my have a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan. 
Look for it in the papers and check with the funeral 
director what services it covers.  It may not pay for 
everything you want so that will cost extra.
You may be entitled to help from the Benefit  Agency. 
This will depend on the financial status of the responsible
person not the deceased. The bill will be sent fairly soon
after the funeral.  All the major banks release funds from
frozen accounts.

ARRANGING FOR A CREMATION
Cremation cannot take place until the cause of death 
is definitely known. You then need five forms from the
funeral director of the crematorium.
Application form signed by next of kin. 
TWO cremation certificates, signed by two different doctors.

Certificate signed by the medical director at the
crematorium.

Certificate for Burial or Cremation issued by the registrar.

THE ASHES
It is important to decide what happens to the ashes. 
They can be scattered in a Garden of Remembrance or in
a favourite spot e.g. childhood home, mountain top, football
ground, or kept by you.

DEALING WITH THE DEAD PERSONS BELONGINGS
AND PROPERTY
The person who deals with everything owned by the person 
who died is known as the personal representative or the 
executor, if they are named in a will, or the administrator if 
no executor is named or no will.
The personal representative is responsible for paying all 
outstanding debts, including funeral expenses from the 
deceased estate (i.e. the deceased property and
possessions).
Even if there is no will the deceaseds' possessions can only
be distributed when all expenses have been paid.
The personal representative will have to apply to prove the
will, or, if there is not will, apply for a grant of administration,
which gives the person permission to deal the deceaseds
estate and pay bills.
You do not have to use a solicitor but should you decide to
do so seek advice as to whether you are entitled to legal aid
when dealing with the estate.

OTHER THINGS TO DO
There are several people to tell when somebody dies.
Social Security - The Certification of Registration of Death
for Social Security issued by the Registrar should be filled
in and sent to the deceased's local social security office to
enable them to deal with pensions and other social benefits.
Banks and Building Societies will 'freeze' accounts until
Probate is granted.  They will generally ,however ,release
money to pay funeral expenses prior to probate being
granted.
Creditors - People to whom the deceased owed money
e.g. gas, electricity, credit cards, phone, etc.
Doctor and Employer
Car Insurance Company
The following documents should be returned:-
Passport
Driving Licence
Season tickets or club membership cards - a refund may be
due.
National Insurance papers.
Library books 

COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE
Complaints regarding the funeral industry should
be directed to the Funeral Ombudsman Scheme.


		WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEBODY DIES The executive or nearest relative has the responsibility of making the necessary decisions and arrangements. DEATH IN HOSPITAL OR CARE HOME Staff will contact the person named as the next of kin. An appointment is made for the bereaved to collect any personal belongings and complete the formalities. The doctor issues a medical certificate giving cause of death. DEATH ELSEWHERE The person informs the doctor and the bereaved relatives (if they know them). If the doctor knows the cause of death he or she will provide a certificate which states the cause of death. If the doctor is unsure about the actual cause of death or has not seen the patient within a fourteen day period he or she cannot sign the death certificate. The coroner must be informed. THE CORONER If there is any doubt about the cause of death, for example, if the death follows and injury or accident or is a sudden or unexpected the coroner is informer. The body will be taken to the coroner's mortuary where the cause of death is investigated before a death certificate is issued. In Scotland there are no coroners the work is carried out as part of the Procurator Fiscals' duties. REGISTERING A DEATH In England, Wales and Northern Ireland a death must be registered within five days. In Scotland the law requires that death is registered within eight days. If the Coroners' or Procurator Fiscals' office is involved the registration period can be extended as long as the registrar is informed of the circumstances. It is up to whoever is arranging the funeral to inform the registrar. Deaths must be registered by the Registrar of Births and Death for the sub district in which the death occurred. You will find the address in the telephone directory under Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages or make enquiries at the local council, post office or police station. In Scotland in addition to registering in the district in which death took place registration can be made in the district of Scotland in which the deceased normally lived. The "informant" is a person qualified to register the death. This responsibility cannot be delegated to a person who is not recognised as qualified by the law and the Registrar will refuse to register the death. An informant can be any of the following:- A relative of the deceased present at the death or during the last illness. A relative who lives in the district where death occurred. Somebody unrelated but who was present at the time of death. The occupier of the building where death occurred e.g. Matron of a Nursing Home. The person responsible for arranging the funeral. (N.B. Not the funeral director, who is not allowed to register the death). The procedure is a simple question and answer between the registrar and the informant. The informant should take:- The Medical Certificate of cause of death. The deceased medical card, birth and marriage certificates if they are available. Do not delay registering the death if you cannot find them. If there was a post mortem the informant will need to know several things about the deceased person:- Date and place of birth and death. Address, first names, surname and if marred maiden name. Last occupation. Name, date of birth and occupation of spouse. Details of any pensions or allowance from public funds. The registrar will give the informant a Certificate for Burial or Cremation and a Certificate of Registration of Death for Social Security purposes which should be filled in and sent to the local Social Security office so that they can deal with pensions or other benefits. A Death Certificate is needed for pension or insurance claims, there is a fee. Several copies may be needed and it is cheaper to purchase them when registering the death rather than later. ABOUT THE FUNERAL* Decisions to be made:- Who is organising the funeral? Normally the next of kin or executor. Whether to use a funeral director to arrange whole or part of the or do it yourself. Funerals Uk 'listings' will help you to identify a funeral director in your area. Alternatively there are three professional organisations for funeral directors who will provide the names and addresses of their members: Funeral Standards Council 30, North road Cardiff, CF1 3DY Tel 029 2038 2046 National Association of Funeral Directors 618, Warwick Road Solihull West Midlands B91 1AA Tel 0121 711 1343 Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors Crowndale House 1 Ferdinand place London NW1 8EE Tel 020 7267 6777 www.saif.org.uk Will it be a burial or cremation? If a burial will it be a cemetery or woodland site? A religious or non-religious ceremony? Has everyone been told of the death and the funeral arrangements? An obituary in a local or national newspaper will stand some chance of informing relatives and friends you have lost touch with. While the traditional funeral service continues to be popular, increasingly personalised and alternative options are being chosen. You may want a New Orleans funeral, complete with jazz band or a football funeral. What you want is what, within the bounds of decency, is what you can have. Firms like Heaven or Earth (Kingsley House, Cotham Road South, Kingsdown, Bristol B56 5TZ 5TZ, tel: 0117 421836) specialise in supplying fantasy decorated coffins and Engineers of the Imagination (The Ellers, ,Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 0AA, tel:01229 581127 will not only decorate coffins but will also create a special funeral ceremony for you. Undertakers With Love, Unit 1, Mondale Road, Thornaby, Stockton-on- Tees TS17 6AS, tel: 01642-606789 sell biodegradable coffins, offer advice and assistance for DIY funerals, woodland and non-religious funerals.Peace Burials offer railway and football funerals and will create a special ceremony on request contact them at St Peters Villas, Ridley Lane, Mawdsley, Ormskirk, Lancs L40 35X, tel: 01704 821900. The important thing is to make arrangements that are 'right' for the person that has died and that you can afford. REPATRIATION TO A FOREIGN COUNTRY Sending bodies abroad requires the permission of the coroner at least four days before the body is to be moved. The paperwork required and regulations are dependent on the country of destination and need to be checked with the relevant Embassy or consulate. THE COST Funeral Directors can provide quotes for a whole range of funeral services from basic to very elaborate. Discuss your requirements and ask for an itemised quote. The deceased my have a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan. Look for it in the papers and check with the funeral director what services it covers. It may not pay for everything you want so that will cost extra. You may be entitled to help from the Benefit Agency. This will depend on the financial status of the responsible person not the deceased. The bill will be sent fairly soon after the funeral. All the major banks release funds from frozen accounts. ARRANGING FOR A CREMATION Cremation cannot take place until the cause of death is definitely known. You then need five forms from the funeral director of the crematorium. Application form signed by next of kin. TWO cremation certificates, signed by two different doctors. Certificate signed by the medical director at the crematorium. Certificate for Burial or Cremation issued by the registrar. THE ASHES It is important to decide what happens to the ashes. They can be scattered in a Garden of Remembrance or in a favourite spot e.g. childhood home, mountain top, football ground, or kept by you. DEALING WITH THE DEAD PERSONS BELONGINGS AND PROPERTY The person who deals with everything owned by the person who died is known as the personal representative or the executor, if they are named in a will, or the administrator if no executor is named or no will. The personal representative is responsible for paying all outstanding debts, including funeral expenses from the deceased estate (i.e. the deceased property and possessions). Even if there is no will the deceaseds' possessions can only be distributed when all expenses have been paid. The personal representative will have to apply to prove the will, or, if there is not will, apply for a grant of administration, which gives the person permission to deal the deceaseds estate and pay bills. You do not have to use a solicitor but should you decide to do so seek advice as to whether you are entitled to legal aid when dealing with the estate. OTHER THINGS TO DO There are several people to tell when somebody dies. Social Security - The Certification of Registration of Death for Social Security issued by the Registrar should be filled in and sent to the deceased's local social security office to enable them to deal with pensions and other social benefits. Banks and Building Societies will 'freeze' accounts until Probate is granted. They will generally ,however ,release money to pay funeral expenses prior to probate being granted. Creditors - People to whom the deceased owed money e.g. gas, electricity, credit cards, phone, etc. Doctor and Employer Car Insurance Company The following documents should be returned:- Passport Driving Licence Season tickets or club membership cards - a refund may be due. National Insurance papers. Library books COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE Complaints regarding the funeral industry should be directed to the Funeral Ombudsman Scheme. Legals