What to Do When Someone Dies
Respectful advice from people who care
Dealing with the death of a loved one is very difficult. Our emotional reactions can make handling the practicalities of death more stressful. At NC Funeral Directors, we are on hand to help you. We know that you may have questions and concerns about the process and the next steps. We are here for you. It may be the first time that you have dealt with death or arranged a funeral and we can help. We will clearly and simply explain the steps to you, so that you understand the process and what will happen to your loved one. For support and advice throughout you can rely on NC Funeral Directors.
Taking your loved one into our care
Whether your loved one has died at home or in a hospital or hospice we can collect them and take them into our care. We will need your authority to allow us to take the deceased into our care. We will look after the deceased while we are arranging the funeral so that you know that they are looked after during this transitional period with dignity and respect. If your loved one has died overseas the process is more complex, and unfortunately can take some time to resolve. However, we have many years of experience with repatriation so can assist you with this even if your loved one has died overseas. Please speak to us for more detailed information about repatriation.
Arranging a Funeral
Arranging a funeral can be an overwhelming experience at a particularly difficult time, that’s why we’re here to support you, both emotionally and practically.
We will take as much responsibility as we can in order to help you through the process. This includes liaising with organisations on your behalf, from doctors, crematoriums and cemeteries to florists and caterers.
When will the Funeral Take Place?
One of the first things we will establish is the date the funeral will take place. This gives you and your family a date to focus on and work towards. This gives you the time to think about the finer details, such as notifying all family and friends, the order of service, the music, flowers and wake, all of which we can help you with.
Your First Call to NC Funeral directors
We understand that the first time you contact us can be difficult and upsetting, which is why we’ll arrange to book an appointment with you face-to-face. This appointment can either take place at your home or in one of our, funeral homes.
We would encourage you to give us a call before coming in to ensure one of our dedicated funeral directors is available. To contact us, please ring 01253 420 450/01772 876878 or fill in our contact form here.
How To Arrange a Funeral
You will sit down with our funeral director who will discuss the plans with you, the whole process usually lasts an hour, but you’re free to take as much time as you need. Every funeral is different and we want to ensure that you have everything you need to give your loved one the perfect send-off.
We’ll also advise you on practical matters such as registering a death, death certificates and other aspects to arranging a funeral such as wakes, catering and florists.
Registering the death
A death needs to be registered within five days, so while you’re waiting for your appointment with the funeral director, this might be a task you wish to complete in the meantime.
Usually, you can make an appointment with the Registrar to inform them of a death through your local council. Many have online booking facilities where you can make an appointment.
For you to register the death, you will usually need the following:
- Identification of the deceased. This can be in the form of a birth certificate, passport or driving license.
- The Medical Certificate Cause of Death, issued by a doctor caring for the person who has died.
- Identification for yourself such as a birth certificate, passport or driving license.
- The deceased’s medical card. Although, many councils understand that sometimes this can be difficult to find. Check with them before you go.
For those who’ve changed their name (e.g. through marriage)
- Marriage certificates or change of name documents (Again, many councils understand that these can be hard to find, so check before your appointment).
The registrar will also need to know the deceased’s full name (including the previous surname), date and place of birth, date and place of death, their most recent occupation and last address. If the deceased was married or in a civil partnership, they will also need to know the name and occupation of their partner.
Once the death has been registered the Registrar will hand you a green certificate, which you will need to give to us.
They will also give you a white form for social security purposes.
The information required does vary from council to council. For further information on registering deaths in Blackpool and Lancashire, just visit the following pages:
Blackpool Council: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Life-events/Registering-a-death.aspx
Lancashire Council: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/deaths.aspx
We are here to help
We offer assistance to all areas offuneral arrangements and can advise on as much or as little as you need help with beit florists, catering or the wake set-up. If you need guidance on specific aspects such as registering a death or the death certificate then it would be our pleasure to assist with these as well.
Saying your final goodbyes
Planning the funeral service
Funerals allow us to celebrate the life of the deceased with the people that loved them. They can be a reflection of that individual and their personality can shine through. From the choice of the coffin to the music and flowers, how we say goodbye is unique. At NC Funeral Directors we spend time understanding how you would like the funeral service to feel. Some people wish for a joyous, upbeat celebration of a life well-lived, where others prefer a more sombre, reflective service. Our range of services are designed to give you the funeral that you wish for. Whether you want a direct cremation service, or a large burial service, with a full horse-drawn hearse, complete with traditional plumage and livery, we can help you to create the ideal service for you. We can advise on different options and provide solutions to issues that you may encounter. Funerals can be demanding for families, all of whom often deal with grief in their own ways. With NC Funeral Directors let us guide you through the process with kindness and clarity.
At NC Funeral Directors not only can we advise you on the actual funeral, but with the associated legislation surrounding death. After death, the medical authorities will send an electronic death certificate to the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. Once you have this registration you will be able to begin to deal with the paperwork that comes with the ending of a life. We have several guides across our website which will help you with the different aspects of end-of-life, as this process can be complicated and confusing. We are always on hand should you need friendly advice, and can also point you in the direction of organisations who can help with legal advice, as well as financial support in some instances.