In Times of Bereavement

 

BACK TO MAIN INDEX

 

In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;

  • Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
  • Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
  • Make the necessary funeral arrangements.

image depicting in times of bereavement

 

Register the death

If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.

You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.

You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

West Sussex Registrars

Tel: 01243 642122

There are Registration Offices in:

  • Worthing (Library)
  • Littlehampton
  • Shoreham
  • Horsham

You can make appointments by calling 01243 642122 or online Registration office - West Sussex County Council

Death Certificates

On average 6 copies are required – these are currently charged for at £11 each. (Banks are legally authorised to make a photocopy and the DWP do not need a copy, just the death reference number).

 

Arrange the funeral

The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.

 

image depicting bereavement

Funeral directors

Choose a funeral director who is a member of one of the following:

  • National Association of Funeral Directors
  • National Federation of Funeral Directors
  • Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors

These organisations have codes of practice - they must give you a price list when asked.

Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.

Finding a Funeral Director (undertaker)

NAFD - Funeral Directory

 

Arranging the funeral yourself

Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.

 

Funeral costs

Funeral costs can include:

  • funeral director fees
  • things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
  • local authority burial or cremation fees

Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.

Help with funeral costs

Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment)

 

Counselling

Get help with grief after bereavement or loss

Visit the NHS website

 

For free independent advice on bereavement issues, you can find more information at lastingpost.com.