Clear guidance, whenever you need it
The first steps depend on where and how the person died. You do not need to work everything out at once. Call us at any stage and we will calmly guide you through what happens next.
Begin with the situation that applies
Choose the closest situation below. If you are uncertain whether the death was expected, call 999 and follow the operator’s advice.
Call the person’s GP surgery. If the surgery is closed, call NHS 111. A qualified healthcare professional will attend to verify the death.
Once the death has been verified and you have been told that a funeral director may attend, call us on 01302 560641. We will arrange to bring the person into our care.
Call 999 immediately. The emergency services will explain what you need to do. Avoid moving the person or disturbing the area, except when following emergency instructions.
The police and coroner may become involved. Their appointed team may take the person into their care initially. You can still contact us straight away for guidance.
The hospital’s bereavement team will guide you. The Medical Examiner will review the cause of death and usually speak to the next of kin.
Tell the hospital that you have chosen K. Dixon Funerals. When the hospital releases the person, we will arrange to bring them into our care.
The care-home team will arrange for the death to be verified and will contact the relevant medical professionals. They may ask which funeral director the family has chosen.
Ask them to contact K. Dixon Funerals, or call us yourself. We will liaise with the care home and arrange the transfer when authorised.
Medical Examiner, coroner and registrar
There are two main routes. We will explain which one applies and keep you informed.
A doctor proposes the cause of death and sends the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner independently reviews it, speaks to the next of kin where appropriate, and sends the approved paperwork to the register office.
The register office will then advise when the death can be registered. The registrar will provide the documents needed after registration.
A referral does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. The coroner investigates deaths that are sudden, unexplained, unnatural or meet other referral criteria. They may decide that no further investigation is needed, arrange a post-mortem, or open an inquest.
The coroner sends the necessary paperwork directly to the registrar and funeral director when the person can be released. We will work with the coroner’s office and keep the family updated.
Registering the death
For a death that is not being investigated by the coroner, the Medical Examiner’s office will normally explain when the registration appointment can be arranged. A death is normally registered in the district where it happened.
The registrar can also explain death certificates and the free Tell Us Once service.
After registration
If the family registers the death, the registrar will explain which paperwork is for the funeral director. Please bring or send that paperwork to K. Dixon Funerals.
If the coroner is involved, the required authority normally comes directly to us. You do not need to chase it.
We complete the crematorium or burial paperwork, explain what each form means and show you where signatures are needed.
Call K. Dixon Funerals 01302 560641Arranging the funeral
You do not need to wait for every document before making the first call or beginning to discuss the funeral. Dates can only be confirmed once the necessary authorities are in place, but we can listen to your wishes and start helping immediately.
Do not worry if you do not have all of this. We can begin with what you know.
Useful official guidance
Processes can differ when a death happens outside England and Wales. These official services provide current guidance.
Whenever you need us
We will listen, explain the immediate next step and stay beside you throughout the arrangements.