Clear Guidance and Care
We care deeply about the families we have the privilege to look after and we are here to offer support every step of the way .
We’re here for you when you need us
Speak to our team any time by calling
Waterhouse office: 01435 882219 or
Heathfield office: 01435 862648
What to do after a loss
We will walk you through the essential next steps and legal arrangements following a passing.
We’re here when you need us most
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call us any time on: 020 8592 0164
(or your local West & Coe office)
What to do when someone dies
Our step by step guide helps you navigate the immediate steps and the essential arrangements that need to be made during this difficult time.
Download our checklist
A helpful printable list of key things to remember in the days following a loss — from who to notify, to documents you may need.
What to Do When Someone Dies
Whether a passing occurs at home, in a hospital, or in a care home, any trained healthcare professional, such as a doctor, registered nurse, or paramedic, can officially confirm the death.
If someone dies at home
After a death has been confirmed, we are able to be with you whenever you prefer.
Most families would require us to be with them shortly afterwards, some however may wish to spend more time with their loved one. Whatever the wishes, our professional and caring staff will be with you anytime, day or night to move back to our Chapel of Rest. We will also be on hand to guide you through the registration process.
Is Unexpected
When a death is unexpected and the cause is unclear or of a sudden nature, an accident or industrial disease, the coroner is legally bound to become involved. In most cases their involvement is a formality and although an examination may be necessary to ascertain the cause of death, this should not delay the funeral taking place. In circumstances where the coroner can not establish the cause of death or is a result of an industrial disease or accident a formal inquest may be held. In this case you will be informed by the coroner and advised of the necessary procedures.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Nursing and Care Home
Once a death has been confirmed, our professional and caring staff are able to attend and remove your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest. On most occasions the duty manager at the home will contact us on the family’s behalf.
We prioritise discretion and sensitivity when attending a nursing or care home, priding ourselves on maintaining the highest level of respect for your loved one, the staff, and other residents .
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will take care of arrangements and have the deceased taken to the hospital mortuary. Following the completion of necessary documentation, we will be able to move your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest.
When a death occurs abroad
We are fully aware of all legal processes and requirements and are pleased to advise at any time.
Guidelines
Contact the deceased’s insurance company
- Check for travel, medical, or life insurance policies.
Many policies cover repatriation costs and may provide support for documentation and coordination and may notify the local authorities.
Contact local authorities
- Report the death to the local police or relevant authority in the country where it occurred.
- They will issue an official local death certificate, which you’ll need for all further steps.
Contact the British Embassy or Consulate
The embassy or consulate can:
- Help notify the deceased’s family (if you are not next of kin).
- Provide a list of local funeral directors in the country of death.
- Assist in arranging repatriation (returning the body or ashes home).
- Help you translate and authenticate documents (e.g., death certificate).
- Issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (in U.S. cases, for example), which can serve as an official record back home.
Obtain documentation
You will typically need:
- The local death certificate (translated and possibly apostilled or legalised).
- The deceased’s passport and identification.
- A certificate of embalming and certificate of sealing the coffin (if repatriating a body).
- A letter from the consulate authorising the transport of remains (if required by airlines or border authorities).
Register the death in the UK
Once you have the foreign death certificate, register the death in the UK. The coroner will need to be informed to verify the cause of death.
- They will advise where and how you register the death in the UK
- and will require translated, legalized copies of documents.
Whether a passing occurs at home, in a hospital, or in a care home, any trained healthcare professional, such as a doctor, registered nurse, or paramedic, can officially confirm the death.
If someone dies at home
After a death has been confirmed, we are able to be with you whenever you prefer.
Most families would require us to be with them shortly afterwards, some however may wish to spend more time with their loved one. Whatever the wishes, our professional and caring staff will be with you anytime, day or night to move back to our Chapel of Rest. We will also be on hand to guide you through the registration process.
Is Unexpected
When a death is unexpected and the cause is unclear or of a sudden nature, an accident or industrial disease, the coroner is legally bound to become involved. In most cases their involvement is a formality and although an examination may be necessary to ascertain the cause of death, this should not delay the funeral taking place. In circumstances where the coroner can not establish the cause of death or is a result of an industrial disease or accident a formal inquest may be held. In this case you will be informed by the coroner and advised of the necessary procedures.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Nursing and Care Home
Once a death has been confirmed, our professional and caring staff are able to attend and remove your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest. On most occasions the duty manager at the home will contact us on the family’s behalf.
We prioritise discretion and sensitivity when attending a nursing or care home, priding ourselves on maintaining the highest level of respect for your loved one, the staff, and other residents .
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will take care of arrangements and have the deceased taken to the hospital mortuary. Following the completion of necessary documentation, we will be able to move your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest.
When a death occurs abroad
We are fully aware of all legal processes and requirements and are pleased to advise at any time.
Guidelines
Contact the deceased’s insurance company
- Check for travel, medical, or life insurance policies.
Many policies cover repatriation costs and may provide support for documentation and coordination and may notify the local authorities.
Contact local authorities
- Report the death to the local police or relevant authority in the country where it occurred.
- They will issue an official local death certificate, which you’ll need for all further steps.
Contact the British Embassy or Consulate
The embassy or consulate can:
- Help notify the deceased’s family (if you are not next of kin).
- Provide a list of local funeral directors in the country of death.
- Assist in arranging repatriation (returning the body or ashes home).
- Help you translate and authenticate documents (e.g., death certificate).
- Issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (in U.S. cases, for example), which can serve as an official record back home.
Obtain documentation
You will typically need:
- The local death certificate (translated and possibly apostilled or legalised).
- The deceased’s passport and identification.
- A certificate of embalming and certificate of sealing the coffin (if repatriating a body).
- A letter from the consulate authorising the transport of remains (if required by airlines or border authorities).
Register the death in the UK
Once you have the foreign death certificate, register the death in the UK. The coroner will need to be informed to verify the cause of death.
- They will advise where and how you register the death in the UK
- and will require translated, legalized copies of documents.
Unsure of the next steps?
Our team is here to guide you gently through each stage. Call our personal 24/7 phone service anytime for information and support. We can then discuss full arrangements at a time that suits you, either at our offices or your home .
Call our team at our Waterhouse Office: 01435 882219 or Heathfield office: 01435 862648
First Steps, Following a Death
All deaths in England and Wales are independently investigated by a Medical Examiner, or in some cases a Coroner*. The Medical Examiner is a senior medical professional overseeing the death certification process and is directly involved in establishing the actual cause of death.
This will follow the following steps:
1 Confirmation of Death
A qualified healthcare professional (doctor, registered nurse, or paramedic) must first attend the deceased to confirm the death, at the place where it occurred before the deceased is moved.
2 Medical Cause of Death Certificate
A registered doctor involved in the pre-death care of the deceased will issue a proposed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). It is not necessary for the issuing doctor to have seen the deceased recently, or for them to see the deceased after death to issue this certificate.
3 Review by Medical Examiner
The issuing doctor’s surgery or hospital/hospice bereavement team will electronically send the proposed MCCD, along with the deceased’s medical history, on to the Medical Examiner, who will review the details and will consult with the family to discuss the findings.
4 Certification
Once the Medical Examiner is satisfied with the cause of death, they will sign off the MCCD, which they electronically forward to the Registrar. The Medical Examiner will advise the next of kin, or the person responsible for making the arrangements for the funeral, that they should now make an appointment with the Registrar to formally register the death.
5 Registration of Death
The next of kin, or person responsible for making the arrangements for the funeral, contacts the Registrar to make an appointment to formally register the death. This appointment should take place within 5 working days of notification from the Medical Examiner that they can register.
Coroner’s Involvement*
If the cause of death is unclear or if the death is sudden, violent, unnatural or unexpected, it will be referred to the Coroner, whose role is to investigate the circumstances of such a death to establish the facts and to determine the cause. This may, or may not, involve an Inquest.
- The coroners involvement is normally a formality and should not cause delay. Following an examination, they will issue a cause of death certificate for you to register the death of the deceased.
- Occasionally an inquest is deemed necessary. If this happens the deceased is normally released to your chosen funeral director, however the registration will only take place after the inquest has been completed, although an interim Death Certificate will be issued.
- The Coroner’s Office will guide you through each stage of the process and advise you on all necessary procedures.
Registering the Death
Once the registrar has received the electronic MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s office, you must make an appointment to register the death.
Who Can Register a Death?
- Relatives: Any family member of the deceased.
- Witness: A person who was present at the time of death.
- Carer: The owner or person in charge of the home or nursing home, where the death occurred.
- Funeral Arranger: The individual responsible for arranging the funeral (not the Funeral Director) i.e. Executor; family friend; carer.
- You must have an appointment to register.
Where?
The death should be registered in the county where it occurred. If needed, it can be transferred to a more local Registrar to the person registering, but this ‘by declaration’ process may take longer.
EAST SUSSEX
Tel: 0345 60 80 198 | www.eastsussex.gov.uk/registration
Hastings: Hastings Town Hall, Queens Road, Hastings, TN34 1QR
Crowborough: Hookstead, Goldsmiths Avenue, Crowborough, TN6 1RH
Eastbourne: Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UG
Lewes: Southover Grange, Southover Road, Lewes, BN7 1TP
KENT
Tel: 03000 41 51 51 | www.kent.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths
Tunbridge Wells: The Mansion House, Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1EP
Tonbridge: Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, TN9 1TG
Tenterden: 2 Tenterden Gateway, Manor Row, Tenterden, TN30 6HP
Appointment with the Registrar
The Registrar will require the following information:
- Full name/s of the deceased (including maiden name, if applicable)
- Date and place of birth
- Date and place of death
- Home address of the deceased
- Marital status of the deceased
- Last occupation of the deceased (even if retired)
- Spouse’s full name, date of birth (if married)
- National Insurance Number of the deceased
While not always mandatory, bringing a birth certificate or marriage certificate can help ensure all details are recorded accurately.
Documents You Will Receive:
- Death Certificates
At the appointment you will purchase original death certificates from the Registrar (currently £12.50 approx.) needed to close the deceased’s estate and affairs. Typically, 3 or 4 certificates may be sufficient, as most organisations will require originals and return them later; however, more complex estates may require more death certificates. - Green Form
The Registrar will electronically issue the ‘Green Form’ direct to your appointed Funeral Director. It is used to formally verify the deceased’s identity; confirm registration of death has taken place, and this document has to be submitted to the cremation/burial authorities before the funeral can go ahead.
The Death Certification Process
As of 2024, all deaths in England and Wales are now subject to an independent review by a Medical Examiner to ensure accuracy and transparency for families. Following a death any trained healthcare professional (i.e. doctor, registered nurse or paramedic) can confirm a person has died. However, before a death can be registered, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must be issued. This will follow the following steps:
The Doctor’s Role:
A doctor who looked after your loved one will draft the certificate stating the cause of death. Under current regulations, a GP can complete this form based on their knowledge of the person’s medical history, regardless of when they last saw them. There is no longer a legal requirement for the GP to physically attend or view the deceased after death before the certificate can be issued.
Medical Examiner Review:
Every MCCD is now independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner. They are senior doctors who were not involved in the patient’s care. The GP will send the MCCD to the Medical Examiners office with the deceased medical history. The Medical Examiner will then review.
Next of Kin Notification:
A Medical Examiner or their office will then contact the next of kin. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the cause of death or raise any concerns.
Proceeding to Registration:
Once this review is confirmed the certificate (MCCD) is sent electronically (by the Medical Examiner’s office) to the Registrar. Once you have been notified by the Medical Examiner that the paperwork has been transferred, you can then contact the Register Office to book an appointment and register the death in the usual way.
If the Coroner is Involved
In certain circumstances, such as an unexpected death or where the cause is unclear the death may be referred to a Coroner.
- The coroners involvement is normally a formality and should not cause delay. Following an examination, they will issue a cause of death certificate for you to register the death of the deceased.
- Occasionally an inquest is deemed necessary. If this happens the deceased is normally released to your chosen funeral director, however the registration will only take place after the inquest has been completed.
- The Coroner’s Office will guide you through each stage of the process and advise you on all necessary procedures
Registering the Death
Once the Registrar has received the electronic MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s office, you must make an appointment to register the death.
When to Register:
By law, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales. This period begins once the Medical Examiner or Coroner has completed their review and released the necessary paperwork.
Where to Register:
You should normally register at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. Information can also be found by using the GOV.UK Register Office Finder. Most offices require a pre-booked appointment, which can often be scheduled online or by phone.
Who Can Register:
- Any relative of the deceased.
- A Partner: A long-term partner who was living with the deceased in an enduring relationship.
- Someone Present at the Death: This can include a friend, neighbour, or carer who witnessed the death or was present during the final illness.
- The owner or person in charge of the building: If the death occurred in a house, hospital, or care home, the person in charge of that building (e.g., a care home manager or hospital administrator) can register.
- The Person Arranging the Funeral: If no relatives or witnesses are available, the person taking legal responsibility for the funeral arrangements (often the executor of the will) can register.
Information You Will Need:
The procedure for registering a death is a simple interview with a registrar who will require the following details about your loved one:
Full name (including any maiden names)
Date and place of birth and death
Last known home address
Occupation
Martial status
If married, the spouse’s details (name, date of birth, and occupation)
National Insurance Number
While not always mandatory, bringing a birth certificate or marriage certificate can help ensure all details are recorded accurately.
Documents You Will Receive:
- The Green Form: This certificate allows the burial or cremation to proceed. It is usually sent directly to the Funeral Director by the Registrar.
- Death Certificates: You may wish to purchase several certified copies (currently £12.50 each) for banks, insurance, and other legal matters. Normally 3-4 copies are adequate as most organisations will need to see the original and then return. You are also able to obtain further copies at a later date.
- Tell Us Once Service: To save you from contacting multiple departments individually, the Registrar will offer you the Tell Us Once service. You will receive a unique code for the government’s Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple departments (such as the DWP or DVLA) simultaneously.
Things to Remember
We’ve created a downloadable checklist to help you feel more in control during these early days.
Visiting Us
Our Burwash and Heathfield offices are open Monday–Friday 8:30am–5:30pm. When you are ready to meet with a Funeral Arranger to start the process of organising your loved one’s funeral, we will guide you through the arrangement process, the necessary paperwork and will be able to answer any questions you may have. Outside of office hours, our on-call Team are available 24/7.
Testimonials From
Families We Have Helped
