PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED AFTER A DEATH

The Procedure to follow after a death will depend on the circumstances surrounding the death. A Medical Certificate and cause of death must be obtained from a Medical Examiner. This Certificate will enable you to register the death and obtain the Death Certificate.

 

WHEN THE DEATH OCCURS AT HOME

Inform the family Doctor as soon as possible that death has occurred. He or she will liaise with the Medical Examiner for them to complete a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death enabling the death to be registered.

 

WHEN THE DEATH OCCURS IN A HOSPICE OR NURSING HOME

The staff of the hospice or nursing home will support you and will care for your loved one until they are conveyed to our funeral home in a dignified and caring manner. They will contact the Doctor who will liaise with a Medical Examiner, who will then complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

 

WHEN THE DEATH OCCURS IN HOSPITAL

The bereavement services department of the hospital will assist you. A Medical Examiner will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death via the hospital enabling you to register the death. Your loved one will remain in the hospital mortuary until the death has been registered. Once this has taken place we will make arrangements to convey your loved one into our care.

 

WHEN THE DEATH IS REFERRED TO THE CORONER REGISTERING A DEATH

Sometimes the Coroner will need to be informed when a Medical Examiner cannot issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death in these circumstances the Coroners Office will most likely produce a certificate once the cause of death has been established. This will then enable the funeral arrangements to proceed and the death to be legally registered.