We are there to provide you with advice and guidance throughout this difficult time. If you are unsure about anything, please call us on the telephone, come and see us in the office or send us an email. See our Contact Us section for details of our opening times and telephone numbers.

Below is some basic advice for what to do when someone dies, but remember, we are here to help you.

When somebody dies, we are often left shocked and numb, regardless of whether we were expecting that person to die or if the death has come suddenly.

When someone dies at home

If somebody dies at home after a period of illness, it is firstly important that the family Doctor is called.

Following your call to the GP the doctor will attend as soon as they are able to certify that the person has died and they will then issue a Medical Certificate for the Cause of Death (MCCD).

Regardless of this certificate being issued to the family at this time, following on from the GPs visit, you are then able to call us on 01257 462222 / 01704 549222 / 01704 321234, day or night- we are here to take your call.

We agree on a time for us to attend the family home, we are always willing and available to attend at the earliest opportunity from the first call you make to us.

When we attend, we will invite the family to take us to where the person who has died is resting. Although we never discourage a family from remaining present when we carry out our duties, for the dignity of the person who has died and for the kindness to lasting memories, we suggest that we are left to carry out our duties whilst the family wait in another room or perhaps use the opportunity to prepare themselves for the farewell from the home.

On completing our duties at the house, we will lovingly and carefully convey the person who has died to our Chapel of Rest in the centre of Parbold, West Lancashire or to our Southport Branch.

The following days are when a family are able to begin the process of making Funeral Arrangements and Registering the Death.

Registration of the Death should be carried out within 5 working days of the expected death and on receiving the Certificate for Cause of Death from the GP. We can help you with this process.

Registration

Registration is currently being completed over the telephone and, dependent on where your loved one passed away, that areas registrar will contact you to make an appointment for a telephone call.

The registrar will ask you;

1. Date and Place of Death

2. Full name and maiden name (if deceased was a married woman)

3. Date and town of birth

4. Occupation.

5. Home address (or rest home/nursing home)

6. Whether the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds

7. Full name of informant, name and date of birth of surviving widow or widower if married.

When someone dies in a Hospital or Care Home

If a Death occurs in Hospital or within a Care Home, it is not the initial responsibility of the family to make calls to the Doctor, this is taken care of by the Bereavement Officer at the Hospital or the Senior Nurse in a Care Home.

A family will be directed of the First Steps needed by the bereavement Officer at the Hospital or the Senior Nurse in a Care Home.

We will attend the hospital or nursing home at the earliest opportunity and bring the deceased into our care.

When the death is reported to the Coroner

If the Death is referred to the Coroner, the Family will be guided by the Coroners Officer and the family should be aware that the initial Conveyance may be carried out of someone other than their chosen Funeral Director, though it is your choice which funeral director does this. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help with this difficult task. A family has the right to choose who they wish to make arrangements with.

Please note that if a death is reported to the coroner and an inquest is held, the coroner registers on your behalf after the full inquest has been held (except in certain circumstances). Prior to this, the Coroner will issue us with a certificate allowing us to go forwards with the funeral arrangements so there is not always a cause for delay. If no inquest is to be held but there has been a post mortem examination, the Coroner will issue the necessary certificate to enable registration in place of the doctor.

Please be assured, whatever the circumstances, we will follow everything through and keep you informed.