First Steps
First Steps
When a death occurs the emotions can feel overwhelming, we are here to offer help and guidance throughout. Nottinghamshire Funeral Service are able to do most things on your behalf, however, the one thing we cannot do is register the death. The following information will guide you step by step on what to do when a death occurs.
Death at Home
When a person passes away at home, the first steps would be to contact the GP that the deceased it registered to. The GP or the out-of-hours doctor will come to the house to confirm that the death has occurred, in some instances a registered district nurse can confirm this and so it may not be necessary for the doctor to be in attendance.
If the death was expected then the doctor or nurse will give permission for your loved one to be bought into our care. You can call us any time day or night to arrange for us to do this.
If the death is expected then following this you would contact the GP surgery to organise the collection of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death which is what you would then take to the Registrars.
If the death is sudden or unexpected then the attending body may decide that the death has to be referred to the coroners and in some instances would require being taken into the care of the Coroners. Should this be the circumstances then the attending doctor/nurse/paramedic would be able to advise you on this.
Our phone lines are answered 24 hours a day should you need any further advice.
Death at Hospital
When a person passes away at a hospital the staff at the hospital will be able to provide you with the details of the hospital bereavement centre. The bereavement centre will then advise you further on when you can collect the medical certificate and will be able to assist you in booking an appointment at the registrars.
The hospital will ask whether you would like a burial or cremation service for your loved one as this will determine the type of paperwork that is issued from the hospital. Until such paperwork has been completed the deceased will stay in the care of the hospital, once the paperwork has been issued we will then be able to make arrangements to bring the deceased into our care.
The time in which it takes for the paperwork to be issued varies, should the death need to be reported to the coroner’s service then the paperwork will take longer. You do not have to wait until you have spoken with the bereavement centre to contact us, please ring us as soon as you feel ready, then we can advise and guide you on the steps you will need to take.
Our phone lines are answered 24 hours a day should you need any futher advice.
