If someone dies at home and the death was expected  

(i.e your loved one had a terminal illness)

If an expected death happens at home during the day, you will need to contact their GP or the NHS helpline Tel:111 as soon as possible.  The death will need to be verified by a medical practitioner and the GP notified so that they can certify the death.

If your loved one passes away at night, you should still call the NHS helpline (dial 111) and they will advise you on what to do next. You can wait until the morning before contacting their GP.

If the cause of death is known,and the GP has seen your loved one in the 14 days  prior to their passing, the doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, allowing you to register the death. You should also contact Safe Hands Funeral Services immediately to arrange for them to bring your loved one into our care.

If someone dies at home and the death was unexpected

If the death was unexpected, you must call the  Ambulance and Police services immediately by dialing 999. The operator will provide instructions on what you need to do including establishing whether you can try to resuscitate the person. The paramedics, upon arrival, will either attempt resuscitation or confirm the death.

If the cause of death is unknown, the Police will arrange for a funeral director to collect the deceased and take them into their care, acting on behalf of the Coroner if the death is unexpected.

If the medical professional is unsure about the actual cause of death, even if it was clearly from natural causes, or if the deceased died suddenly or unnaturally, they will contact the coroner. The coroner may order a post-mortem examination or inquest to determine the cause of death and then issue the documents allowing the death to be registered.

It is important to note that a funeral cannot be conducted until the Coroner’s have established cause of death, if an inquest is necessary, they may issue an interim death certificate.

Once the cause of death is established the medical certificate will be issued, after which you can register the death with the local registrar.   In light of current restrictions, your surgery  will arrange for the Medical Cause of Death Certificate  (MCCD) to be sent directly to the registrar and funeral director, without you needing to attend their premises in person.   You can then go online to book a telephone appointment with the registrar, who will email the Cremation/burial certificate (green form) directly to Safe Hands Funeral Services.