What to expect
The passing of a loved one is one of the most emotional times of our lives and it can be difficult to navigate the unfamiliar waters of arranging a send-off. Here's some practical advice to help you through this time. Please feel free to ring us to ask for any guidance you may need during this time.
What to do when someone dies at home
The first contact should be the family doctor who will normally call at the house. If they are satisfied with the cause of death, they will issue the death certificate. If you haven’t already, you should then contact J W Peters Funeral Directors as soon as possible. We will take care of all the arrangements and guide you through this difficult time. It is not necessary to have the death certificate before contacting us.
What to do when someone dies in hospital
When a person dies in a hospital, a hospice or a nursing home, the sister or staff nurse on call will be there to help you. They will make the necessary arrangements for the doctor to issue the death certificate. You should then contact J W Peters Funeral Directors as soon as possible so that we can take care all the necessary arrangements. It is not necessary to have the death certificate before contacting us.
What to do at the coroners
In some cases, a death may be referred to the coroner. There are many reasons why this can happen. For example, it may be that a doctor has been unable to certify a cause of death or perhaps the death is because of an accident. The death will then be reported by a doctor. We will fully explain the procedures to you and take care of all arrangements and documentation.
How to register a death
All deaths must be registered at your local Registrar’s Office. We can give you the name, address and office times of your local office. When registering a death, you will need to take the Medical Certificate of Death with you and the Registrar will also ask you for some personal details of the deceased. The Registrar will then issue a green certificate, which we will need as soon as possible to avoid any delays.
What will happen when a death occurs in a hospice or nursing home
When a loved one passes away in a hospice or nursing home, the staff will inform you as soon as possible and will help you obtain the medical certificate of the cause of death. They will be available to help you with advice until you contact us to make the funeral arrangements.
Who can register a death?
If the person died in a house or hospital, then the death can be registered by a relative, someone present at the death, an official from the hospital or the person arranging the funeral. If the death occurred anywhere else, it can be registered by a relative, someone present at the death, the person who found or is in charge of the body, or the person arranging the funeral.
Documents and information you will need
Documents:
When registering a death you will need the following:
-Medical certificate of the cause of death
-One of the following: A council tax bill, driving licence, passport, proof of address, birth certificate, NHS medical card, marriage or civil partnership certificate.
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Information you will need to tell the registrar:
-The persons full name at the time of death, any names previously used, the persons place of birth, their last address, and their occupation.
-The full name, date of birth and occupation of a surviving spouse, late spouse, or civil partner, and whether they were receiving a state pension or any other benefit.
Documents you will receive
If a post-mortem is not being held, the registrar will issue you with:
-Certificate for burial or cremation (green form), given to the funeral director as soon as possible
-Certificate of Registration of Death (white form), known as BD8, this form is for DWP purposes
-Death certificate, a certified copy of the entry into the register
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If a post-mortem is being held to determine the cause of death and the deceased is to be cremated the coroner will issue:
-Form Cremation 6 Certificate of Coroner
Some questions you may have
When a loved one passes, it can be an extremely overwhelming and emotional time, especially if it was sudden. At J W Peters Funeral Directors, we have been guiding families through this process for over 100 years. Here are some answers to questions you may have.
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How much does a funeral cost?The average price in the UK is around £4000 whereas our average price for a traditional funeral is £3,250.
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How do I find a good funeral director?You want to look for a well-established funeral director who is a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors. Here at J W Peters Funeral Directors we are proud members of this association and we have been operating since 1920 so you know you're in good hands.