The death of someone you love – whether expected or not – can be incredibly hard to process. Grief affects people differently, and the pressure of making funeral arrangements can feel daunting. Here we look at the first steps of arranging a funeral once a loved one has passed away.
Registering the Death
When someone dies, their death must be officially registered and a death certificate obtained. A family member of the deceased usually does this. Once you have registered the death, you will be given all the necessary paperwork required to continue to arrange the funeral. You will need a death certificate for dealing with things such as the estate, banks and other accounts.
Deaths must be registered within five days unless you are in Scotland, where you have eight days. Failure to register a death within this timeframe could result in a fine unless the delay is due to a coroner or doctor.
When registering a death, you will need a medical certificate stating the cause of death from their GP or hospital. Information about the deceased will be required, including their date of birth and full address.
Documents that may help, but are not all essential, include:
- Birth certificate
- Driving license
- Passport
- NHS card
- Proof of address
- Council tax bill
It can be overwhelming organising everything after someone dies, so it is best to take each step at a time and ensure you have all the information you may need.
Meeting the Funeral Director
You can use the National Association of Funeral Directors’ site to find a local funeral director. The next step would be to meet with the funeral director and discuss the kind of funeral you wish to have. You will first need to decide whether the deceased wanted a burial or a cremation. The funeral director will talk you through all aspects of the funeral and ask for relevant details to ensure the process is tailored to your loved one’s wishes and beliefs. It is a good idea to discuss with other relatives and loved ones what you believe the deceased would have wanted.
The important thing to understand is that you are not alone – help is available when making these important decisions. Funeral Map is here to guide you through the steps of arranging a funeral and help you at a difficult time. You will find helpful resources on the website and information on arranging and attending a funeral.
