Step by step guidance after a death occurs

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What To Do When Death Happens

It is hard to come to terms with death, but the family and friends who have been left behind must come together to help them with the next steps after their passing. To help you with what to do when death happens, we have put together a list of steps to make the process just that little bit easier for you.

Death outside of the home

If your loved one has passed away at a hospital or care home, the staff of the establishment will contact their GP on your behalf. Your loved one will be visited by their GP who will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

Death at home

Should a loved one die at home, you will need to contact their doctor to let them know of their death. Their GP will be able to issue you with their medical certificates that you will need to take with you when registering their death. You will need to take the GP’s certificates to the local registry office.

Contacting a coroner

If medical professionals are not able to issue an MCCD for any reason, the death is reported to the coroner.

Investigating all aspects of the death, the coroner will decide whether a post-mortem examination is required in order to establish the cause of death and clarify whether the coroner is able to give permission for an MCCD to be issued.

Furthermore, the coroner’s office will produce any paperwork required by the funeral director and may also, in some circumstances, register the death as well. For more information, download and read this very helpful guide by The Ministry of Justice.

Once you have obtained the MCCD

After you have obtained your loved one’s MCCD, you will need to contact your local funeral directors – Stinsons Independent Family Funeral Directors. We service Leicestershire including Coalville, Loughborough, Ashby-De-La-Zouch, Melton Mowbray and the surrounding areas. We can offer you round-the-clock assistance every day of the year and are able to arrange careful conveyance of your loved one so that they can rest in our care whilst we plan their send-off together.

The death of a loved one should be registered within 5 days – to do this you will need to call and make an appointment with your local registrar. You may register the death if you are:

  • A close relative of the deceased
  • A relative in attendance during the last illness
  • A relative in the district where the death occurred
  • A person present at the death
  • The person arranging the funeral

On the day of your appointment, you will need to take the information below with you:

  • Current address
  • If married/in a civil partnership, the date of birth of surviving significant other
  • Medical certificate stating the cause of death
  • Medical card
  • The date and place of birth
  • Their full name (including their maiden name if they were married)
  • Their occupation (including the full name and occupation of their spouse/civil partner)
  • Time, date and place of death

To verify the deceased you will need:

  • Birth certificate
  • If applicable, a marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • Passport
  • Proof of address (council tax or utility bill)
  • Your identification

The registrar will provide you with two certificates, one green and one white. The green certificate must be handed to the funeral director in order for a funeral to take place, and the white certificate is for social security purposes.

Additionally, the registrar will provide copies of the death certificate, which may be required for:

  • The will
  • Pensions
  • Bank accounts
  • Life insurance policies
  • Savings bank certificates
  • Premium bonds

The registrar is able to report a death to most government organisations through the “Tell It Once” service, accessible only by a registrar at the point of registration.
After you have supplied the registrar with all the required information, your green certificate will enable you to have your loved one buried or cremated – depending on their final wishes.

Your next step is then to speak with your chosen funeral directors, Stinsons Independent Family Funeral Directors so that you can work together to plan your loved one’s funeral, memorial or burial service. We are contactable 24/7 365 days a year either via telephone, our online contact form or in person at our Coalville based funeral home.

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Call us on 01530 833 355 or request a callback using the form below

Come & see us, we are here to help

Address: 61 Meadow Lane, Coalville, Leicester, LE67 4DN
Opening Times: Mon-Fri: 09:00 - 16:00 (appointment is advisable)
Sat: Appointment only
Sunday: Closed
Contactable 24/7: 01530 833 355

FAQs & Advice

Not sure about something? Take a look at our FAQ section to see if we have the answer to your question, if we don't, please contact us today.

In the event of a death, numerous people and organisations need to be informed, including:
  • Hospital and/or family doctor
  • Social services and district nurses
  • Car insurance
  • Employer or professional association
  • HM Revenue and Customs
  • Social security
  • Local council
  • Utilities (gas, electric, water, telephone, internet)
  • Credit card companies
  • Banks and building societies (accounts must be closed, and any joint accounts must be amended appropriately)
  • Investments and insurance policies (premium bonds are not transferable, which is why the Post Office issues a form that must be sent to the bonds and stocks office – for further advice, consult a financial adviser or accountant)
Embalming is a common funeral practice used around the world to preserve the body of a loved one. Although embalming is not legally required in most cases, it is often a common choice for open casket funerals or if family wish to spend time with their loved one. We will always encourage embalming in these instances. In most cases there isnt a legal requirement to embalm a loved one’s body. The main exception would be if you want your loved one taken abroad (repatriation), or if they passed away due to an infectious disease.
The average cost of a funeral according to the SunLife 2022 report is £4056.00 But we believe a funeral can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish it to be for your loved one, and our prices will reflect this. Many people are unaware that independent funeral directors also offer direct cremations, where prices start from only £1295
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