What to do when someone dies

We know how difficult it can be to lose someone you love.

Our years of experience has taught us that families are rarely ready to deal with loss and grief and trying to navigate the complexities of arranging a funeral can be stressful.

Below you will find help from what to do immediately after someone dies to what comes next. Please download some or all of the guides, they are free and we don't ask for emails.

Call us any time

Immediately after the death

When someone dies it is normally under 3 circumstances. They die in hospital or a hospice. They die at home from a known condition or illness, or they die unexpectedly.

Here is what to do if faced with these circumstances.

Call your GP (or the out-of-hours doctor) to confirm the death. This is then sent to a medical examiner (a senior doctor) who reviews it. The medical examiner or one of their team will then speak to the nearest relative to check they understand and agree with the medical certificate
Once verified, contact us at 01287 653063 — day or night.
We’ll bring your loved one into our care and guide you through what happens next

The staff will handle the immediate formalities and issue a medical certificate This is then sent to a medical examiner (a senior doctor) who reviews it. The medical examiner or one of their team will then speak to the nearest relative to check they understand and agree with the medical certificate
When you’re ready, get in touch — we’ll liaise directly with the hospital to make arrangements smooth and simple

Call 999 immediately.
The emergency services will advise you on the next steps, a coroner may be involved. A coroner is a lawyer with the legal duty to investigate unexpected deaths (some coroners are also doctors). The coroner may call for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death
Once you’re able, contact us — we’ll explain what to expect and support you every step of the way.

An easy read guide to planning a funeral

FREE DOWNLOAD

Planning ahead checklist for people who have been diagnosed with a life limiting illness or simply want to Plan today for peace of mind tomorrow