Houghtons Funeral Directors · 01925 729998 (24 hours)

What to do when someone dies

There is no need to rush, and you do not have to work it all out alone. Here are the first steps in plain English, and we are on the end of the phone at any hour.

The first steps

  1. If the death was expected. If someone has died at home after an illness, call their GP or the nurse involved in their care, who can confirm the death and tell you what to do next. In a hospital, hospice or care home, staff will guide you.
  2. If the death was sudden or unexpected. Call 999. The police or ambulance service will tell you what happens next, and the coroner may become involved. We are experienced in supporting families through this and will help you at every stage.
  3. Call us, whatever the hour. Ring Houghtons on 01925 729998. We will listen, explain what happens next and arrange for your loved one to come into our care. There is no obligation, and you can take the time you need to decide.
  4. A medical examiner checks the cause of death. The doctor confirms the death and contacts a medical examiner, a senior doctor who was not involved in your loved one's care. They check the cause of death is accurate, and their office will contact you to explain it and answer any questions. Speaking to them is voluntary, and this can take a few days.
  5. Register the death. Wait for the medical examiner's office to confirm that you can register the death, then register it within 5 days of that confirmation, including weekends and bank holidays. If you need longer, tell the register office straight away. The registrar will give you the certificate for burial or cremation (often called the green form), which we need before the funeral can take place. If the death has been reported to a coroner, the documents you need may be different and the coroner will let the registrar know when the death can be registered. We help with the process and the necessary forms.
  6. Decide the kind of farewell. When you are ready, we will talk through the options, from a simple direct cremation to a personal celebration of life, so you can choose what feels right for your family.
  7. Let others know. The registrar will explain Tell Us Once, a free GOV.UK service that reports the death to most government organisations in one go. They will either complete it with you or give you a reference number to use online or by phone within 28 days. GOV.UK explains who else needs to be told.

What we take care of

We will guide you through the legal aspects of cremations and burials, help with documentation and forms, arrange visits to our chapels of rest, place announcements in newspapers, and liaise with hospitals, doctors, clergy and crematoria. We also lead and co-ordinate everything on the day.

Worried about the cost?

Our prices are published openly, from £999 for a direct cremation, so you can see what each option costs before you decide. If you are struggling to pay for a funeral, please talk to us. We can help.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I call first when someone dies?

If the death was expected, call the person's GP or nurse. If it was sudden or unexpected, call 999. You can then call Houghtons on 01925 729998 at any hour and we will explain what happens next.

How soon must a death be registered?

Once the medical examiner's office has confirmed you can register the death, you must register it within 5 days, including weekends and bank holidays. If you need longer, tell the register office straight away. If the death has been reported to a coroner, the documents and timing can be different. We guide you through every step.