In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;
- Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
- Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Arrange the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- funeral director fees
- things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.
Support
Greater Manchester Bereavement Service
Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief.
Call on 0161 983 0902 for help in finding the right support for you. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays)
Email: [email protected]
www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk
NHS Bereavement Helpline
If you need to speak with someone at a weekend about a bereavement, you can call NHS Bereavement Helpline on 0800 2600 400, available 8am to 8pm every day.
Samaritans
Or you can call Samaritans 116 123 at no cost, any time of the day or night. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.
We offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.
We won’t judge you or tell you what to do, we’ll listen to you.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Our Helpline is run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief.
We’ll give you space to talk about your feelings and how you’ve been coping. Our volunteers are completely non-judgemental and won’t share what you’ve told them with anyone else, unless you are in danger.
You can call for free on 0808 808 1677.
Opening Hours:
Monday: 9.30am-5pm
Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm
Wednesday: 9.30am-8pm
Thursday: 9.30am-8pm
Friday: 9.30am-5pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 2pm
