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What To Do When A Person Dies:
Funeral Home Assistance And More
What Happens Now?
At the time of death, it is often a traumatic experience. Here are some simple guidelines about what to do, from the actual time of death through to the aftercare advice, provided by our Funeral Home. Supporting you and your family through each stage.
If you prefer, call our Funeral Home now or get in touch. We can explain it step by step.
Our family standing by you every step of the way
Death At Home
Here’s what to do if expecting a death or if a death has happened at home:
- Call the person's doctor or the NHS helpline 111 to arrange for a medical professional to certify the death. Out of hours, an on-call doctor or senior nurse is qualified to do this.
- Please get in touch with us as soon as the death is certified. We will then arrange the conveyance to our Chapel of Rest.
- The doctor will forward the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the Medical Examiner. You are no longer required to collect this certificate from the doctor's surgery.
- Once the Medical Examiner has reviewed the death, they will contact you directly to let you know you can make an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.
- Once you have registered, we can book a date and time for the funeral.
The regulations for processing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and registering the death changed on Monday, September 9th, 2024. A Medical Examiner must review all deaths within 3 days. You will have 5 days to register the death once the Medical Examiner has contacted you to go ahead with the registration.
If someone dies unexpectedly, call the emergency services on 999 immediately. Usually, in these circumstances, the death is reported to the coroner. Once the coroner has reviewed the death, they will contact you directly to let you know you can make an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.
The cremation fee of £82 for the doctor's fee for the Cremation Form 4 is no longer required.
Death In Hospital
Here is what to do if expecting a death or have had a death in a hospital:
- The hospital doctor will certify the death.
- The hospital will care for your loved one until we are able to convey them to our Chapel of Rest once you have registered the death.
- The doctor will forward the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the Medical Examiner.
- Once the Medical Examiner has reviewed the death, they will contact you directly to let you know you can make an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.
- Once you have registered, we can book a date and time for the funeral.
Death In A Care Home
Here is what to do if expecting a death or have had a death in a care home:
- The home will immediately contact the doctor to certify the death.
- Please get in touch with us as soon as the death is certified. We will then arrange the conveyance to our Chapel of Rest.
- The doctor will forward the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the Medical Examiner. You are no longer required to collect this certificate from the doctor's surgery.
- Once the Medical Examiner has reviewed the death, they will contact you directly to let you know you can make an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.
- Once you have registered, we can book a date and time for the funeral.
When you meet the staff at
Thomas Furber, we will listen to you talk about your loved one and get a picture of the type of funeral which will be befitting and memorable of them.
We will carefully talk you through the options and anything you need to do, which can happen in our office, on the phone, or video conferencing. **
** We are making funeral arrangements by appointment only.
Please call us on 0121 427 2233.
Unexpected Deaths -
H. M. Coroner
- For unexpected deaths, emergency services must be involved. They inform the coroner who will investigate the cause of death.
- The coroner arranges for a local funeral director to collect the person; the deceased is then taken to the hospital mortuary.
- You are not obliged to use the same funeral director, even if the person has been transferred to another funeral home. You are free to choose your own funeral director.
- The coroner issues a medical certificate stating the cause of death after the investigation. You are free to arrange the funeral while this is happening.
- Contact Thomas Furber to start the funeral arrangements or discuss a Funeral Plan; however, the date of the funeral cannot be set until the coroner has completed their investigations. We will help you step by step through this process.
How To Register A Death
The regulations for processing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and registering the death changed on Monday, September 9th, 2024. A Medical Examiner must review all deaths within three (3) days. You will have five (5) days to register the death once the Medical Examiner has contacted you to go ahead with the registration.
If someone dies unexpectedly, call the emergency services on 999 immediately. Usually, in these circumstances, the death is reported to the coroner. Once the coroner has reviewed the death, they will contact you directly to let you know you can make an appointment with the Registrar to register the death.
- Contact the local Registrar's Office as soon as possible to make an appointment. This will limit your waiting time.
- Check the availability of the registrar and whether you need someone to accompany you. In some cases, someone other than you may need to give the required information to register the death.
- If the death has been referred to the coroner, it cannot be registered until the registrar has received authority from the coroner. You will be notified by H. M. Coroner when to attend the Register Office.
The information for registration may be given to any registrar in England and Wales. You will need to attend your chosen registrar’s office to make a declaration of the particulars of the deceased. *
This declaration is then forwarded to the registrar for the sub-district where the death took place. It is then registered there. N.B. This may delay the issue of the certificates and setting the funeral date. *
See below for the Birmingham Registrar & other local district Registrar contact details.
* Please note: Registering the death in a sub-district other than the deceased's district may delay the date and time for the funeral.
Who Can Register A Death?
- A relative of the deceased.
- Someone present at the death.
- An administrator from the hospital.
- The person making arrangements with the Funeral Directors.
Documents Required:
- The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is vital. It must be signed by a doctor.
And, If Possible, Please Take The Deceased’s:
- NHS Medical Card.
- Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate.
- Birth Certificate.
- Council Tax Bill.
- Driving Licence.
- Passport.
- Proof of Address (e.g. utility bill).
Information Required:
- Date & place of death.
- Full name of deceased at death.
- Any other previously used names, e.g. maiden name.
- Date & place of birth.
- Occupation & last home address.
- If married: full name, date of birth, & occupation of surviving spouse or civil partner.
- Whether the deceased received a State Pension or allowance from public funds (Benefits).
- Certificates provided:
- Certificate for Burial or Cremation for the Funeral Director (Green). **
- Form BD8 to complete if the person was getting a State Pension or Benefits.
- One ‘Copy of An Entry of Death’ for Bank, Building Society, insurance, solicitor, etc. A fee is charged for each additional copy, if you need to go back at a later date for more copies, the fee will be increased, so ensure you have enough for your requirements at the time of registration. **
* Due to COVID-19, you will need to make an appointment for the Registrar to contact you to register the death.
** Due to COVID-19, the Medical Certificate will be emailed directly to the Registrar, and the Registration is now face-to-face. Some Registrars' only accept Debit/Credit cards for payment, cash may not be accepted.
Local Registrar Offices
This is a list of local Registrar Offices in and around Birmingham. N.B. Many Registrars have an appointment only system.
Birmingham Register Office – appointment only.
Register Office,
Holliday Wharf,
Holliday Street,
Birmingham
B1 1TJ
0121 675 2902 / 0121 675 2904 / 0121 675 1004
To register a death;
Pre-booking form for Birmingham Registrar.
Note: Sutton Coldfield Office is closed permanently.
Sandwell Register Office – appointment only.
Sandwell Register Office,
Highfields House,
High Street,
West Bromwich
B70 8RJ
Email for appointment to register a death;
Registrars_Westbromwich@sandwell.gov.uk
Bromsgrove Register Office – appointment only.
Bromsgrove Registration Office,
School Drive,
Bromsgrove,
Worcestershire
B60 1AY
Book an appointment online for Bromsgrove Registrar.
Please only book the appointment once the surgery or coroners’ office have informed you that paperwork has been emailed to Worcestershire Register Office.
Stourbridge and Halesowen Register Office – appointment only.
Stourbridge Registrar,
Stourbridge Town Hall and Library,
Crown Centre,
Stourbridge
DY8 1YE
Book an appointment online for Dudley Regsitrar.
Dudley Register Office – appointment only.
Priory Hall,
Priory Park,
Priory Road,
Dudley,
West Midlands
DY1 4EU
Note: There is also a Registrar at Dudley Council Plus, 259 Castle Street, Dudley, West Midlands DY1 1LQ.
Solihull Register Office – appointment only.
You are able to register at the following offices:
Solihull Connect at Theatre Square,
Ground Floor,
Theatre Square
Solihull
B91 3RG
A maximum of two people only.
Solihull Connect at The Bluebell Centre.
Ground Floor West Mall,
Chelmsley Wood,
Solihull
B37 5TN
A maximum of two people only.
Redditch Register Office – appointment only.
Redditch Registration Office,
29 Easemore Road,
Redditch
Worcestershire
B98 8ER
Book an appointment online for Redditch Registrar.
Please only book the appointment once the surgery or coroners’ office have informed you that paperwork has been emailed to Worcestershire Register Office.
Organisations And Services You May Notify After A Death
Below is a list of organisations and services you may need to contact following a death:
The Bereavement Register is a free service to help stop any unwanted direct advertising/marketing mail following a bereavement. The deceased name is removed from mailing lists. This reduces or even stops painful daily reminders.
Help and Advice: Dealing with Bereavement
We have a free bereavement leaflet to support you in your time of need:
We also compiled a list of local people and Bereavement Advice centres who can support you in your grief. These organisations may be able to help you with bereavement counselling.
Birmingham St. Mary’s Hospice
It’s open to family and friends of both people who were previously cared for by The Hospice Charity Partnership and those who weren’t. Support can be accessed by anybody who has been bereaved no matter how the person died or how long ago this loss was.
Carrs Lane Counselling Centre
A counselling centre in Birmingham providing low cost, first-class, counselling service for adults.
Carrs Lane Church Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham.
Counselling Directory
An online directory for you to find a professional counsellor near to you.
Cruse – Bereavement Care
To help support you after the death of someone close to you.
Edward’s Trust
Supporting children and families during serious illness and bereavement.
43a Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Grief Encounters
Support for bereaved children and their families providing one-to-one counselling, e-counselling, group support meetings and residential camps.
Samaritans
For those who have been bereaved by suicide, they will be able to access small group support sessions.
SANDS- Stillborn And Neonatal Death Charity
UK charity providing support for bereaved parents and their families.
Solihull Bereavement Counselling Service
Providing a quality bereavement counselling service for people living or working in Solihull.
Ullswater House, Lode Lane, Solihull.
Support After Murder And Manslaughter
SAMM is a national UK Charity (No 1000598) supporting families bereaved by Murder and Manslaughter.
The Centre For The Grief Journey
A wealth of resources on coping with the loss of a loved one. Dr. Bill Webster is a person who has personal experience of grief as well as being a subject specialist.
Our family standing by you every step of the way
INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS
Est. 1868
Company Number 00863787, Limited Company, registered in England & Wales, registered office as above.