What to do when someone dies - help and advice
Here at Bowley & Sons Funeral Directors, we understand that it can be extremely difficult to know what to do when a loved one has passed away. This page offers helpful and guided advice about what to do when someone dies at home in Ashton-Under-Lyne, in a nursing home, in hospital or unexpectedly.
We are also available 24/7 if you simply need someone to talk to.
Call 07704 080036.
deaths at home, nursing homes and hospitals
Home
If your loved one has passed away at home, the first step is to contact their doctor, who will visit the house and confirm that they have unfortunately passed. This will allow them to issue a medical certificate with the cause of death. We will then be available 24/7 to bring your loved one into our care, so make sure to call us as soon as possible.
Nursing Homes
If the death has happened at a nursing home, the staff will take this task out of your hands and arrange for the doctor to visit and issue the death certificate. They will then get in touch with us so we can bring your loved one into our care.
Hospitals
If your loved one has died in hospital, the doctor who attended them will issue the medical certificate. You will then be contacted by the bereavement office allowing you to collect the certificate and any personal effects.
The doctor-issued medical certificate will be needed to register the death of your loved one. We are here to help through each step of the process, and understand how difficult this can be. We are also here to help the rest of your family as part of our caring service.
Unexpected deaths
If your loved one has died unexpectedly and has not been seen by their doctor in the previous two weeks, you may be required to involve a coroner. They will need to investigate any sudden deaths through a post mortem examination to evaluate the cause of death. We will be there to guide you through the process and offer a helping hand whenever required.
Registering a death
Here at Bowley & Sons Funeral Directors we understand that when someone dies, admin issues are not the first thing on your mind. Unfortunately, however, the death will need to be registered - and we are here to help whenever you need. This must be done within 5 working days of the passing and will involve the medical certificate that should have been issued by the deceased's doctor. This certificate will then be replaced by a Registrar's Certificate for Burial or Crematorium which will be given to us, allowing us to go ahead with the funeral service.
You'll also be provided with a copy of the Register of Deaths or Death Certificate which you may need to close any bank accounts, claim pensions and address the terms of the Will.
Tell us once service
A 'Tell Us Once' service is a new Government initiative which will conveniently allow them to contact a number of organisations on your behalf, taking some of the burden away from you and your family. You will need your loved one's medical certificate, medical card and their national insurance number, birth and marriage certificates where possible. You will be asked various pieces of information about the deceased including address, date of birth, place of death, occupation and marital status.
We understand that this is a lot to take in at such a devastating time, but we would like you to know that our team are here to help as much or as little as you need. We are available 24/7 to talk to you, so don't hesitate to call 07704 080036 at any time.
Contact us for help and advice when someone dies
Whether you need someone to take the funeral out of your hands so you can mourn your loved one or are simply looking for a helpful hand to guide you through the processes, our team at Bowley & Sons Funeral Directors will always accommodate your wishes. To talk to us at any time of the day, please call 07704 080036.
