Bereavement

We believe that all bereaved people are entitled to a service that responds to, and respects, their basic needs at such a difficult time.

Your GP undertakes to:

Ensure prompt completion of all death administration paperwork
Fully explain the details written on the Death Certificate to the next of kin

If Death Occurs At Home

Telephone the doctor who will visit to confirm that death has taken place.
Contact a funeral director or your local community/religious funeral service
Arrange to collect the doctor’s Medical Certificate of Death (usually from the surgery).
Take this to the Registrars Office, (together with the deceased’s Medical Card and Birth Certificate, if available) for the area in which the death took place. Alternatively you can register by declaration at any convenient Registrars Office but certificates will not be available as these will have to be posted to you a few days later.
The Registrar will normally issue a Green coloured certificate for you to give to your funeral director who will look after necessary arrangements for the funeral. The Registrar will also issue a white notification certificate for social services. They will also enquire as to the number of Certified Copies you require for dealing with the deceased finances (a fee is payable for each copy).

If The Death Occurs In Hospital

Contact a funeral director or your local community/religious funeral service to inform them that their services are required.
Collect the certificate from the hospital then follow 4 – 5 as above

Note For Cremation

Your funeral director or your local community/religious funeral service will usually liaise directly with the surgery regarding the additional certification required.