Following a Bereavement
We fully appreciate that this can be a devastating and confusing time; we would like to reassure you that we are here to assist you with and are available 24 hours a day to answer any questions you may have.
It is not necessary to have the death certificate in your possession before contacting us, we are here to assist you at all times. The following information may help you understand what to do when bereavement occurs.
When a death occurs at home:
The first contact should be with the family doctor; he will normally call at the house and confirm a death has occurred. When you are ready to allow us to take care of your loved one, simply phone and we will attend the house at a convenient time to you. The Doctor, if satisfied as to the cause of death will issue a medical certificate showing the cause of death. This may take a couple of days and you will usually have to collect this from the surgery. This will then enable you to register the death and collect the death certificate from the registrar.
When a death occurs at a nursing or residential home:
When a person dies in a hospital, or a nursing home, the manager, sister or staff nurse will be there to assist you. You will need to advise them when you are ready for us to take your loved one into our care. The staff will advise you on contacting the doctor to arrange for the medical certificate showing the cause of death to be collected. It is likely that a duty doctor will have attended. This will then enable you to register the death and collect the death certificate from the registrar.
When a death occurs at a general hospital:
When a person dies in a General Hospital, you will need to make an appointment at the Patients affairs office to collect the medical certificate showing the cause of death and any personal effects of the deceased. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, upon your instruction, we will be able to take your loved one into our care. This will then enable you to register the death and collect the death certificate from the registrar.
When someone dies suddenly:
All sudden deaths must be reported to the Coroner. The police usually attend to ensure that there are no suspicious circumstances. The Coroner will then decide whether a post-mortem and an inquest will need to be conducted. When this occurs, the Police will ask their own staff to transport the deceased to the local hospital or public mortuary. The choice of the funeral director for the forthcoming service is solely the decision of the family