When Someone Dies
Considerations When Someone Dies
Tomalin & Son provide advice and guidance across many aspects when death occurs.
When a loved one dies, there are practical things that need to be done in order to move forward with the funeral arrangements. This guide provides a brief overview of what steps need to be taken and in what order.
The cause of death needs to be verified by your loved one’s doctor. If the doctor is satisfied that the cause of death is clear, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be issued.
In the event that the cause of death is unknown or deemed suspicious by the doctor, the coroner’s office will be contacted to conduct an investigation into the cause of death. If the coroner is involved, you cannot register the death until the coroner has issued supporting documentation. However, they will issue an interim death certificate so that funeral arrangements can go ahead.
To register the death, you will have to submit the medical certificate of cause of death to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages at a registry office. They will ask for your loved one’s personal details, such as date of birth, address and whether they were receiving a pension or benefits. It may be helpful to also bring any marriage certificates and your loved one’s NHS medical card, if possible.
After registering the death, you will be issued a Death Certificate and the Certificate for Burial or Cremation. Once issued you can then continue with the funeral arrangements.
Although your loved one cannot have a funeral until the Death Certificate and the Certificate for Burial or Cremation are issued, you can start to make the funeral arrangements at any point after the death of your loved one. At Tomalin’s we shall arrange all aspects of the funeral arrangements with our staff and they shall point out the procedures and legal requirements.
Whilst arranging the funeral, we will advise on costs and charges to be incurred, culminating in a full written estimate which will be given to the person responsible for the arrangements before the day of the funeral.
Our account itself is divided into three separate parts, our charges, the disbursements and the coffin or casket.
Our charges include professional fees, which include the provision of a 24 hour a day call rota, our professional services in making the funeral arrangements and arranging documentation and necessary personal attendance’s, the conveyance of the deceased to our Private Chapel of Rest.
