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In Times of Bereavement
In the unfortunate event that someone has passed away, there are several important steps to follow in the first few days:
A GP or hospital doctor will complete a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This is reviewed by the Medical Examiner (ME) service, who will ensure the cause of death is accurate.
Once the Medical Examiner has completed their review, they will send the necessary information directly to the Registry Office. The Registry Office will then contact the next of kin to arrange the formal registration of the death.
The death should be registered within 5 days of receiving confirmation that registration can go ahead (or within 8 days in Scotland).
After registration, you will receive the documents needed to proceed with funeral arrangements.
You can then make arrangements with a funeral director.
Register the death
If the death has been referred to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland), registration cannot take place until permission has been given.
A death can be registered by:
- A relative
- Someone present at the death
- A hospital representative
- The person arranging the funeral
You can find further guidance here on the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk which explains the process in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
Arrange the funeral
Funeral arrangements can usually only be finalised after the death has been registered.
Most people choose to use a funeral director, although you can arrange a funeral yourself if you prefer.
Funeral arrangements
You can choose any funeral director you feel comfortable with. It may help to select one who is a member of a recognised professional organisation, such as:
- National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
- National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
These organisations have codes of practice and aim to ensure high standards of care.
All funeral directors must provide clear information about their services and display a standard price list, so you can compare options and costs.
Some local councils offer their own funeral services, which may be a more affordable option.
If you would prefer a non-religious funeral, organisations such as Humanists UK can help arrange a suitable ceremony.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs may include:
- Funeral director fees
- Third-party costs (sometimes called disbursements), such as crematorium or burial fees, or notices in newspapers
- Local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors should clearly set out all costs in their quotes.
For free independent advice on bereavement issues, you can find more information at lastingpost.com.