First Steps

When a family member or friend dies it can be a devastating time for those who knew and loved them. Many people find one way that helps them navigate their grief is to follow the list of tasks that need to be completed.

You will need to obtain a medical certificate from their GP or hospital doctor, which will be required to register the death.

If the cause of death is unclear, or certain circumstances have occured, the doctor may feel it is necessary to report the death to a coroner. The coroner then decides whether to instruct a post-mortem to investigate the cause of death further, or that the cause of death is clear, in which case the medical certificate can be issued.

If the post-mortem examination does not determine a cause of death, the coroner may instruct an inquest, however as this can take months to complete they will usually issue an interim certificate of death to allow you to hold the funeral.

Give some thought to the type of funeral you would like for your loved one, or begin making arrangements based on their wishes. A funeral director will be well placed to guide you through this process and help you make the necessary decisions and arrangements. If you would like to find out how RE Tonkin & Son can support you through this difficult time, please give us a call, we’re available 24 hours a day.

It will also be important to locate or check any formal paperwork, such as their will, funeral plans and relevant insurance documents.

Informing the wider family, friends and work colleagues of the deceased is an important but often difficult task. Many of the families we work with chose to share this out so the burden of delivering the news doesn’t just fall to one individual. You may also wish to consider a public announcement in the local newspaper.

The gov.uk website provides lots of information about what to do when someone dies, which you may find useful.