Things to Consider
Death is a difficult thing to come to terms with, and there are certain things to consider and steps to take for those who are left behind. To help make this process easier to deal with, Alderson’s Family Funerals have compiled a list of things that will help.
Death Outside of the Home
If death occurs in a hospital, hospice or care home, it’s up to the staff of the particular place to contact the GP of your loved one. From there, the GP will come and visit them and issue a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death.
Death at Home
If a family member passes whilst they are at home, you will want to contact their doctor and inform them immediately, this will allow them time to give you the necessary medical certificates which you will need when you register their death. You can register a death at a local registry office.
The next thing to do is contact your local funeral directors, Alderson’s Family Funerals, who will be able to guide you through the entire process of arranging a funeral. We will visit and collect your loved one, allowing them to rest with us until all of the necessary arrangements have been made for the funeral.
You should register a death within five days and you will need to arrange this with a local registrar. Ensure that you have all of the necessary information to hand on the day, this includes:
- Medical Certificate stating the Cause of Death
- Time, date and place of death
- Full name of the deceased (you will also need their maiden name if the deceased was married)
- The date and place of birth
- Their occupation (including the full name and occupation of their spouse/civil partner)
- If married/in a civil partnership, the date of birth of the surviving significant other
- Their medical card
- Their current address
Documents you will need to verify the deceased:
- Their passport
- Proof of address (council tax or utilities bills will suffice)
- If applicable, marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Birth certificate
- Some form of identification for yourself
When the death has been registered, a green certificate will be given to you, enabling you to bury or cremate them. This will need to be handed over to your chosen funeral directors, allowing them to proceed officially with your loved one’s memorial service.
Local Registry offices
Deaths should be registered within the jurisdiction in which the person has died. Deaths which occur in Durham should be registered at one of the Durham branches. Telephone the main registry office and they will be happy to make an appointment for you at any of the below offices: 03000 266 000
Durham, Stanley, Chester le Street, Crook, Bishop Auckland and Consett.
Tel: 03000 266 000
Other District Registry Offices:
Newcastle Registry Office
2nd Floor Civic Centre, Newcastle, NE1 8QH
Tel: 0191 2787878
Sunderland Registry Office
Civic Centre, Sunderland, SR2 7DN
Tel: 0191 520 5553
Darlington Registry Office
The Register Office, Town Hall, Feethams, Darlington DL1 5QT
Tel: 01325 406400
Coroner Involved
If the coroner is involved due to various circumstances such as sudden death, tragic death, industrial illness or doctor unsure of the cause of death, the procedure is different and we at Alderson’s Family Funerals will keep you informed of the procedures and documentation required.
