Initial contact with your local funeral director
Once a doctor has confirmed the death of a person they will issue a “Medical Certificate of Death” – this is required to formally register the death.
Other than a death in hospital, it is normal to await the attendance of a doctor before contacting the funeral director to arrange collection of the deceased. Do not feel that this has to take place immediately; some families wish to wait until other family members have arrived to say their goodbyes before arrangements are made for the deceased to be placed in the care of a local funeral home.
Your local funeral director can advise and support you on how to register a death. Preliminary funeral arrangements can be made in advance of the registration of the death.
Upon initial contact with your local funeral director, they will need to know some personal details about the deceased and proposed funeral arrangements and arrange a suitable time to arrange the funeral.
Your local funeral director is available to guide and support and there are a number of options which the funeral director could suggest such as:
- Is the funeral to be followed by cremation or burial?
- Is there a family grave to be used?
- Are there days or dates to avoid when arranging the funeral?
- Where would the service take place? This is possibly dependant on the deceased's religious beliefs
Once you have made the decision on where the deceased shall rest then you will need to arrange a time for the funeral director to collect the deceased. Upon initial contact, the funeral director will probably also arrange a suitable time to meet to discuss funeral arrangements.
Funeral directors are normally very flexible and can come at any time of the day or night to collect the deceased and begin the process of planning the funeral.
Bringing the deceased into care
Your local funeral director should be trained to remove the deceased sensitively and efficiently with the utmost respect. Your local funeral director will record and follow your instructions regarding jewellery and other personal items belonging to the deceased. The deceased will usually be placed on a special stretcher-trolley and taken to the funeral home in a private ambulance.
Visiting the deceased
The decision to visit the deceased once they have been prepared is a very personal choice. Some people choose not to as it is too emotional and don’t want to see a loved one once they have passed away. Many find great solace in seeing the deceased at peace; those that do view the deceased often remark that they look like they are sleeping.
If the deceased is resting at the funeral home then there are normally private remembrance rooms that the deceased will be in, allowing family and friends to visit at the time of their choosing. These rooms can have chosen music playing and items relating to the person’s life such as photographs, sporting jerseys, and so on – you should speak to your funeral director about items you would like to display.