Introduction
When someone dies there are many decisions and arrangements to be made. This information aims to give simple advice and basic guidance about what to do after a death.
Death at Home
If in doubt, call the doctor or ring for an ambulance on 999. If the death was unexpected or suspicious, contact the police. You must stay with the body until they arrive.
If the death was expected and a doctor has recently seen the deceased, call them. The doctor will then issue a medical certificate which will show the cause of death.
If the deceased is to be cremated, let the doctor know, as they will have to confirm the cause of death. The Funeral Director will get the doctors to sign the cremation paperwork, for which there is a charge made by the doctors. This charge is called a disbursement and will be added to your invoice from the Funeral Director.
Death in Hospital
If the deceased died in hospital the hospital staff will contact the next of kin. The deceased will be kept in the hospital mortuary until collection of the body has been arranged.
The staff at the hospital will advise on the collection of the deceased’s personal belongings and on other formalities.
Death elsewhere
If the death occurs away from home, the authorities in that area still complete the initial formalities. If the body is to be returned home for the funeral, then all the necessary arrangements, including transportation of the deceased, can be dealt with by the Funeral Director.
If a person dies abroad the Funeral Director will advise on what options are available.
How to register a death.
Attached to the medical certificate of the cause of death is a notice of who can register the death.
One of the people on this notice should take the medical certificate (if it hasn’t been electronically sent via the doctors/hospital to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages office, in the sub-district of where the death occurred.
The Registrars office for a person who died in Chester, Kelsall, Tarporley or surrounding rural areas is located at:
Goldsmith House,
Goss Street,
CHESTER
CH1 2BG
Telephone: 0300 123 7037
Email: chesterregisteroffice@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
The Registrars office for a person who died in Crewe and Nantwich areas is located at:
Municipal Buildings
Earle Street
Crewe
Cheshire
CW1 2BJ
Telephone: 0300 123 5019
Email: creweregisteroffice@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Please check when you can register the death and remember to take the Medical Certificate showing the cause of death. (In some cases this may have already been electronically forwarded to the Registrar prior to you making your appointment).
The registrar will need to know the following information:
- The date and place of death
- The deceased’s last home address
- The deceased’s first names and surname (and maiden name where necessary)
- The deceased’s date and place of birth: town and county if in the UK or country if abroad)
- The deceased’s occupation and the name and occupation of the spouse if appropriate
- If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower
- The deceased’s medical card (this will be returned)
The registrar will give you a certificate for burial or cremation (which is known as The Green Form) depending on what service you have chosen. This form must be given to the Funeral Director so that the arrangements can proceed.
The Registrar will also give you a Certificate of Registration of Death (form DB8). This is a White Form and is for Social Security purposes only. Complete the sections that apply and then return it to your Social Security Office.
The Death Certificate
If you want a copy of the certified entry made in the Register of Deaths, this can be purchased from The Register Office.
You may need a Death Certificate for the Will and for any claims regarding pensions, insurance, savings and dealing with the deceased’s bank / building society accounts and other affairs. Additional Death Certificates can be purchased from The Registrar.
The Police
If the death has occurred suddenly or the death is unexpected or happened due to an act of violence or accident then the police MUST be advised.
The Coroner will be notified in such cases. The doctor or police will do this.
The Coroner
When a death has been reported to the coroner, this will be investigated by him to establish the cause of death. The Coroner may ask for a Post-Mortem to be performed.
The Coroner will hold an inquest in cases where death appeared unnatural, unexplained or due to violence or an accident.
Tell Us Once
When someone has died, there are lots of things to be done. One of these is contacting government departments and local council services that need to be informed. Cheshire East Registration Service and Cheshire West Registration Service are now providing the Tell Us Once service, this makes things a lot easier. Once the death has been registered, the registrar can give the relevant information to the Department for Work and Pensions and they can pass on this information to a number of other government departments, public sector pension providers and local council services.
Who Else to Contact
We will provide you with a guidance booklet that includes a step-by-step checklist of the services and group bodies that you will need to notify of the death.
Council funerals
The Council may be able to help you with arranging the funeral in the following situations:
- there are no relatives or friends able to pay for the funeral
- the deceased has died without leaving a valid will
- the deceased was a resident and died within the borough of Cheshire West and Chester Council
- as long as you have not given instructions to a funeral director
Where to find help
For enquiries in relation to any crematorium or cemetery matter, please contact:
Email: crematorium@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk
Telephone: 01244 972428
DSS booklet D49 provides detailed information and advice on everything that needs to be done following a death and procedures for administrating an estate. This booklet is free of charge and obtainable from your local Benefit Agency or Post Office.
Advice can be given on how to reduce the costs and if applicable to claim assistance from the Benefits Agency Social Fund for the funeral payments. (Claim pack SF200): The link is: ‘www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf200_print.pdf’
Helpful Links:
Funeral Costs:www.funeralmap.co.uk/funeral-advice/funeral-costs
For more information please contact us on 01829 781572