The first step is to contact a doctor who will need to confirm the death. This may be your own GP or an out-of-hours doctor. If you have had a district nurse visiting then you can call them.

Once the doctor has been informed they will discuss the circumstances of the death with the Medical Examiner, who will review the cause of death and ensure the necessary paperwork is completed.

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will then be sent to the Registrar’s Office. This process can sometimes take a few days or longer, so if you are hoping for the funeral to take place as soon as possible, it is helpful to let the doctor know, we always suggest calling the doctor yourself that day or the next working day to make sure they have been informed.

Once the doctor or nurse has attended, you can contact us at any time — day or night. We will arrange to bring your loved one into our care with dignity, respect, and compassion.

We can be reached on 01562 632081 or 01299 848080 24/7

If you would prefer for them to remain at home for a little longer, we can talk you through what is possible and provide guidance on how to do this safely.

You do not need to wait until the paperwork is complete before speaking to us. We are always happy to answer questions, offer advice, or simply talk through what happens next.

Before a death can be registered, the Medical Examiner will review the cause of death. The Medical Examiner is an independent senior doctor who was not involved in the care of the person who has died.

They may contact you to discuss the cause of death, answer any questions you have, or listen to any concerns about the care provided. Speaking with the Medical Examiner is optional, and you do not have to take part if you do not wish to.

Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been completed, you will need to arrange an appointment to register the death with the local Registrar’s Office.

Usually, a close relative will register the death. If there are no relatives available, someone responsible for arranging the funeral or someone who was present at the time of death may be able to register it.

There is no need to wait until the death has been registered before contacting us. We can begin discussing funeral arrangements straight away, or we can wait until you feel ready.

Every family is different, and we will take things at your pace. We will explain all of your options clearly and help you make the decisions that feel right for you and your loved one.

For more information about registration visit the governments step online guide on what to do after someone dies.

If a death is sudden or unexpected, the doctor may need to refer the matter to the Coroner.

If this happens, we will explain the process, keep you updated, and support you through each stage. Although this can sometimes delay funeral arrangements, we will be here to guide you and answer any questions you may have.

You can find further information about the Coroner’s process through the official guidance, or please feel free to speak to our team for support.