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For information about how to arrange a funeral, please click on the links below or scroll down the page.
When to contact the Funeral Director Registration of Death The Coroner Fees and Disbursements Help with Funeral Costs
It is advisable to inform us of a bereavement as soon as possible.
There is always a member of staff available 24 hours a day, every day, and our service to you starts from the moment you contact us - whether by telephone or by calling personally. It is advisable to initially contact us by telephone out of hours and at weekends.
We are always happy to discuss the funeral arrangements in the privacy of your own home or our office - whichever is the most convenient to you.
Registration of any death must take place as soon as possible in the district where the death occurs. It is usually necessary to make an appointment with the Registrar and you will need to take the following documents with you:-
- Certificate of Cause of Death - obtained from the doctor or hospital (if the Coroner is involved, see notes below).
- The deceased's Birth Certificate (if available).
- The deceased's Medical Card (if available)
When a sudden death occurs the Coroner will be informed and a post-mortem examination carried out. We are in regular contact with the Coroner's office and therefore able to keep you informed of any development. Involvement of the Coroner will not normally prevent the funeral arrangements from being made.
If the death has been reported to the Coroner, the Registrar cannot complete the registration until the Coroner's office has issued the necessary certificates directly to the Registrar concerned.
If a Coroner's Inquest is deemed necessary, it is NOT necessary to Register the death - this will be done directly by the Coroner following the final inquest.
Disbursements are the essential fees which we pay out on behalf of the family. These include:-
- Church, Cemetery or Cremation Fees
- Doctors' Fees
- Obituary Notices etc.
These fees will be itemised on our funeral account.
For the purposes of providing written estimates, we approximate the cost of any disbursements. However, since we have no control over these specific charges, they may be subject to slight variations.
In certain cases, the person responsible for making the deceased's funeral arrangements may be eligible for help from the DSS Social Fund. This generally applies if the responsible person is receiving one or more of the following benefits:-
- Income Support
- Family Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Disability Working Allowance
Further details can be obtained from our office or the local Department of Social Security.
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