Advice
With many years experience, we are able to act with efficiency and discretion, offering you and your family the highest standard of care. Our emergency service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, where you will speak to one of our team personally (not a call centre). All non emergency matters can be dealt with Monday to Friday 9.00 - 5.00 at our office or if necessary at your home, by appointment.
What to do when somebody dies
The information below will help you understand the first steps that need to be taken when somebody dies. If you would like to contact us for more advice then one of our experienced members of staff will be happy to help you.
What to do when somebody dies at home:
When somebody dies at home, their doctor should be the first person you contact. The doctor will advise you to call us and we will arrange with you to move your loved one to our Chapel of Rest at a time which is convenient to you and your family. The doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Death if satisfied with the cause of death. You may be asked to collect the certificate from the surgery. Out of normal surgery hours the attending Doctor may not be your GP. When you are ready, contact us about making funeral arrangements and we will advice and guide you through this process.
What to do when somebody dies in a nursing home:
When somebody dies in a nursing home, the nursing home staff should liaise with the doctor and us on your behalf. Again we will arrange to move your loved one to our Chapel of Rest at a time which is convenient with the nursing home.
What to do when somebody dies in hospital:
When somebody dies in hospital, the staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Death, which you will need to collect along with any belongings. We will liaise on your behalf with the hospital to bring the person that has died into our care once the hospital gives us permission to attend.
What to do when somebody dies suddenly:
When somebody dies suddenly, it is normal for the Coroner to be involved. The Coroner is automatically involved in most sudden or unexpected deaths, especially if the person that has died has not been under a doctor’s care on a regular basis.
Some Local Authorities use contractors to come and move the deceased to the local hospital. Under these circumstances please remember that:
- You don't have to pay the contractors anything
- You are not obliged to use the Council's contractor for the funeral arrangement as you are free to instruct a Funeral Director of your choice.
Contact us as soon as possible and we will be able to advise you on the procedures involved and liaise with the Coroner’s office.
What to do when somebody dies away from home:
When somebody dies away from home, either within the UK or anywhere abroad, contact us and we can make all the necessary arrangements.
Registering the Death
A death must be registered by law in the district in which it has occurred and under normal circumstances the doctor's certificate giving the cause of death should be taken to the Registrar's Office with, if possible, the deceased's medical card and birth certificate.
The procedure for registering a death is a simple question and answer interview between the Registrar and the informant and the following questions will be asked:-
- Date and place of birth and death
- Full name of deceased
- Marriage status of deceased
You will need to make an appointment with the Registrar. The Registrar for this local area is at 39 Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells. Telephone 01892 527 332
In the event of a death being referred to a Coroner the procedure will be different in terms of the certification issued. We will be pleased to advise you in these circumstances.
Informing Others
Who do I need to inform? - Dependent upon the deceased, but will generally include insurance companies, the Department of Social Security, the employer and Banks and Building Societies.
Returning Equipment - Please make sure that you return any equipment loaned from the NHS or Social Services promptly
Legal Advice
Consult a Solicitor to help you deal with the deceased's estate; you may need a grant of probate if the deceased left a Will or letters of administration if they did not.
Abbey Funeral Services Ltd is a member of SAIF and through that membership we are able to put you in touch with a 'freephone' help service where you will be able to obtain simple legal advice
Help with Funeral Costs
You may be able to apply for a contribution from the social fund, to help towards the cost of the funeral service. Each application is based on its own merit and funds will be allocated accordingly. The contribution from the social fund will normally only cover the charges of the burial authority or crematorium and a proportion of the funeral directors charges.
It is highly unlikely that the contribution from the social fund will cover the cost of the funeral as a whole. You should tell us immediately if you plan to make a claim.
You can make a claim if you are responsible for making the funeral arrangements and you or your partner are receiving any of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award
- Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
When the death is registered the Registrar will provide you with a Registration of Death certificate (Form BD8) which is required to make a claim from the social fund. This should be taken to your local Job centre Plus office with the following documents (if they are available).
- Deceased’s Birth Certificate
- A Marriage Certificate (where applicable)
- National Insurance Contribution Card
- DWP Pension or Allowance books
- Social Fund Claim Form (SF200)
- The final account from the Funeral Director
The claim can be made up to three months after the death but it is advisable to do this as soon as possible. The payment from the fund is usually in the form of a Giro Cheque and normally payable to the Funeral Director.
Any payment which is made from the fund can be recovered by the DWP should funds become available from the deceased estate.
For more information and to download an application (SF200) form go to the Job centre Plus website at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk or www.direct.gov.uk