This page is intended to give you practical advice following the loss of a loved one. If you feel at any time you need to speak to us for support call 01543 529813.

We are always here to help.

What happens first.

When someone passes away, their death will need to be verified by a Nurse, Doctor or Paramedic. After this has taken place, we are able to bring your loved-one into our care at either our Cannock or Burntwood Funeral Homes.

Obtaining the Medical Cause of Death certificate.

The ‘Medical Cause of Death Certificate’ is produced by the last Doctor to treat your loved one. In cases that are not referred to the coroner (see below for more information) you will be instructed either by your loved-one’s GP surgery or the hospital bereavement office when the certificate is ready for collection. The GP or hospital staff may ask if the funeral is to be a burial or cremation, this is so the relevant paperwork can be prepared for the funeral director. 

Registering a death.

The death of a loved-one should be registered with 5 days of their passing away (where possible). The death should be registered in the area it occurred however if this is not possible a death can be registered at your local registry office by declaration although this process can take several weeks and delay funeral proceedings. In order to register you will need to have been given the ‘Medical Cause of Death Certificate’ and have booked an appointment at the appropriate office. The registrar will sign the ‘Death Certificate’ and you can purchase copies for £11.00 each. The registrar will also offer you the ‘Tell Us Once’ service that notifies different departments of your loved-one’s death. You will also be given a green ‘Disposal Certificate’ that we will require to carry out the funeral.

When the Coroner is involved.

In some cases, especially when death is sudden or unexpected, a loved-one’s death will be referred to the Coroner’s office who will investigate to decide whether an inquest and/or post-mortem examination is required to determine the cause of death. This will mean you will not be able to collect a ‘Medical Cause of Death Certificate’ from the Doctor who last treated your loved one. The Coroner’s office will be passed your details and will contact you directly to keep you updated and instruct you on how and when you can register the death. 

Cremation paperwork.

If a funeral is to be a cremation (and the coroner is not investigating) two doctors are required to complete paperwork in order for the funeral to proceed. The first doctor to sign the form will be the last doctor who treated your loved one and the second doctor will be a doctor who has never treated your loved one. This process is arranged between the GP/Hospital and funeral directors directly, so families are not required to organise this. As part of the procedure, the second doctor will call a family member to ensure they are satisfied for the funeral to proceed. 

Once your loved-one is with us.

From the moment you call us our priority is ensuring your loved-one is cared for and you have all the support you need. We can begin to make arrangements for the funeral whenever you are ready, no matter what the situation is with the paperwork. We can come out to you at home or you are welcome to make an appointment to meet at our funeral home. If your loved-one has passed away at hospital we will not be able to bring them to our Funeral Home until we have met with you and the relevant paperwork has been completed by the hospital staff.

Viewing your loved-one.

You may wish to view your loved-one at our Chapel of Rest facility. We advise that viewing takes place once we have met to discuss what you would like your loved-one to be dressed in and once their coffin has been selected. Our Chapel of Rest works on an appointment basis so we advise calling at least 24-hours before you wish to view so we can book the Chapel for you. The Chapel opening times are 9:30am – 5:00pm, Monday – Friday. 

Remember.

It is our family’s duty and vocation to ensure you are helped throughout this difficult time. There is no such thing as a bad time to call or a silly question to ask, we are here for you every step of the way.