What to Do When a Loved One Passes

We understand that losing someone you love can be an incredibly difficult and overwhelming time. When faced with bereavement, it can be hard to know what to do next or where to begin.

We are here to offer reassurance and support throughout this difficult journey. From helping you understand the necessary steps and processes, such as registering a death, to providing information on bereavement support available to you. At The Alty Funeral Service, we are here to help you navigate the days ahead with care for each individual family.

cemetery

What to do when a loved one passes in a hospital or hospice

  • When someone passes away in a hospital or hospice, the staff will guide you through the necessary steps and provide support during this difficult time.
  • The hospital or hospice will send the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death directly to the registrar’s office. The registrar will then contact the next of kin by telephone to arrange and complete the registration of the death.
  • Once the registration process has been completed, the registrar will provide copies of the death certificate, which will be sent to the next of kin either by post or email.
Reception Wm. Alty & Sons Funeral Service

What to do when a loved one passes in a nursing or care home

  • When a loved one passes away in a nursing or care home, the staff will support you through the initial steps and help ensure everything is handled with care and dignity.
  • The usual doctor, or an on-call doctor, will be contacted to confirm the death. Once this has been completed, the family or care home staff can contact the funeral director, who will arrange to bring your loved one into their care with compassion and respect.
  • At this stage, you can contact the registrar to begin the registration process. During the call, the registrar will ask for the details of the funeral director who is handling the funeral arrangements.
  • Once our details have been provided, the registrar will send the required documentation directly to us, allowing us to continue making the necessary arrangements for the funeral and supporting you through the next steps.
funeral candle

What to do when a loved one passes at home

  • When a loved one passes away at home, the first step is to contact their doctor’s surgery. A medical professional will then be arranged to attend and formally verify and confirm the death.
  • Once this has been completed, you can contact your chosen funeral director, who will arrange to bring your loved one into their care with the utmost dignity, compassion and respect.
  • The deceased’s own doctor will then issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the family, allowing you to begin the registration process and take the next steps in arranging the funeral.

FAQs

What if the doctor cannot issue The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death?

If for any reason the doctor feels that they are not able to issue the Cause of Death certificate, they will refer the case to the Coroner. The Coroner will decide whether a certificate can be issued or whether further investigation is necessary.

If further investigation is required, a Post Mortem Examination may be ordered, usually to determine the exact cause of death. In most cases this will not necessarily cause delay in making funeral arrangements. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, the funeral director can now collect the deceased. The Coroner will then supply the Registrar with the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend and register the death.

What if the death was unexpected?

If the death is unexpected, it will be reported to the Coroner, in which case the police will attend on the Coroner’s behalf. The *Coroner’s nominated funeral director will be called to remove the body to a hospital to await further investigation.

After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will supply the Register Office with the appropriate paperwork for the family. The family may then phone the Register Office and register the death.

*Please note – you are under no obligation to use the Coroner’s funeral director for your funeral arrangements.

You are welcome to contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements.

Please call one of our funeral directors in Preston on 01772 428580, or Blackburn 01254 503240. Otherwise, please email us on admin@altysfunerals.co.uk