When Someone Dies

When the death of a loved one occurs, it will no doubt be a confusing, emotional time and can be hard to know exactly what to do next or who to contact. At Beltinge & District Funeral Service Ltd. we are here to guide you through this devastating process, making a difficult time easier for you.

Ministry of Justice Changes

From 9th September 2024, new rules set by the Ministry of Justice were introduced, redefining the roles of the Coroner, the Medical Examiner and GPs, all deaths in any setting that are not investigated by a coroner will be reviewed by NHS Medical Examiners. The changes form part of the Department of Health and Social Care's Death Certification Reforms.

Unexpected Deaths

A death that is unexpected, sudden or unexplained will be referred to the Coroner.

A coroner's officer will contact the next of kin or representative to explain the way forward. You will be given a case number. Nothing will happen until the Coroner has made a decision, you will be kept informed throughout this process and nothing will move forward without you being informed.

If a post mortem is necessary, you will be informed of the date, and the coroner's officer will normally contact you the following day to discuss the findings. If an inquest is necessary, the coroner's officer will advise you.

As with hearing from the Medical Examiner, no funeral date can be put in place until the Coroner's investigation is completed.

Expected Deaths

This process will differ depending on whether the death has occurred at home,in a hospital or under official care provision. If the death has occurred at home, contact the GP of the deceased by telephone. If the death has occurred in a hospital, care home or hospice, the staff will follow their protocols and contact the relevant people on your behalf. In any case, the doctor will liaise with the Medical Examiner, who will then, once in agreement about the cause of death, contact the family and discuss with them any issues that they may have, and then inform them that they can make an appointment to Register The Death and to make the funeral arrangements.

Registering The Death

Once the Medical Examiner or the Coroner's Officer has contacted you, you should register the death. This may not always be possible within the stated 5 days, however you should do so as soon as is practical. Once registered, you will receive a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the Green Form), which you will need to give to the funeral director(or it will be emailed to them by the registrar). If the Coroner is involved, you will not be given a form, as the relevant paperwork is sent directly to the crematorium or burial authority by the Coroner.

Contact A Funeral Director

You are able to contact us at any time for guidance and advice, however, making the funeral arrangements or registering the death can only happen once you have clearance to do so from the Medical Examiner or the Coroner.

We will help you through the process, providing you with the guidance and assistance you need.

You do not need to have registered the death before contacting us.