What To Do When Someone Dies

When the death occurs in hospital

Unless present when death occurs, the relatives will be notified by the nursing staff as soon as possible. Arrangements can then be made with the Hospital Patient Affairs office staff to deal with the formalities. These will include collecting the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (issued by a Hospital Doctor) and personal possessions of the deceased. The Hospital may also issue a 'Release Form', which needs to signed by the next of kin, releasing the deceased into our care.

When the death occurs at home

If the death was expected, as the deceased had been ill for some time, it would be normal to contact their Doctor or the on call Doctor who would then visit to certify that death had occurred and determine the cause of death. This may not happen immediately as the Doctor may be in his/her surgery or the death may happen in the middle of the night in which case you may decide to wait until morning before calling out the Doctor.

Later that day or the next, the Doctor will issue the relatives a form called the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. This contains a list of who can register the death, known as Informants, at the local Registry Office and what information the Registrar will require. For the details of the Bury St. Edmunds registrars office click here.

If you are uncertain whether someone has passed away then call the Doctor or dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. If the cause of death cannot be determined then the Doctor will refer the death to the coroner.

If the death occurs in another area

If death occurs away from home then the initial formalities listed above will be completed by the Doctor or Hospital staff in that area. If relatives wish to bring the deceased home for the funeral then the arrangements in both areas, including transport, can be taken care of by ourselves. Should death occur abroad then our staff can advise accordingly as to what options are available.

How to Register a Death

Who can register?

1. A close relative of deceased
2. A relative in attendance during last illness
3. A relative living in the district where death occurred
4. A person present at death
5. The person arranging the funeral


Documents required

1. Medical Certificate of Death (from Dr's or hospital/hospice)
2. Medical Card if available, or
3. Birth Certificate & information regarding date of birth


Information required to Registrar

1. Date and place of death
2. Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable)
3. Date and place of birth
4. Occupation and home address
5. If married, full name and occupation of spouse.


Certificates

1. Disposal Certificate (green form) for the funeral director
2. Social Security Certificate (white form) to be handed in at the D.S.S. Offices with any pension books
3. Copies of Entry of Death (death certificate) for bank, insurance, solicitors.

N.B. You have to make an appointment with the registrars.
For the details of the Bury St. Edmunds registrars office click here.
It is worth getting a few copies of the death certificate from the registrars when you are there. If you run out you will have to make another appointment to get some more.