When someone dies
What needs to happen following a death depends on the circumstances. If you are unsure contact your doctor, the funeral director or a local minister for advice.
The law requires that a doctor must provide a certificate or a coroner make an order as to the cause of death. Additional paperwork is required if the body is to be cremated. This process is usually simple but may be more complicated if the death was unexpected.
The Funeral Director will come to collect the body at a time agreed with you. We will make an appointment to talk with you about the arrangements. You do not have to do everything immediately and we will work with you to sort out the timing and the details.
Death from natural causes
First the doctor must complete a certificate as to the cause of death. Where the death has occurred at home or your family doctor is involved then his or her knowledge of the case history is helpful. Where the death has occurred in a rest home or hospital or hospice the staff there will usually arrange for the doctor to be called.
You may wish to also call the Funeral Director at this time. Once the certificate has been signed the Funeral Director may collect the body for preparation.
Sudden or accidental death
The police must be involved if the cause of death is unknown or if the death has occurred in violent or suspicious circumstances. The police will require formal identification of the body and will then arrange for the body to be taken to a mortuary (usually at the local hospital) until the coroner authorises release. A Funeral Director will usually make this transfer but you do not have to use this firm to deal with your funeral arrangements – they will be working under a contract with the Police.
The Funeral Director of your choice will collect the body from the hospital mortuary upon release by the coroner. The body will then be prepared.
| 
