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Clear guidance, whenever you need it

What to do when
someone dies.

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

The first thing to do

Choose the closest situation below. If you are uncertain whether the death was expected, call 999 and follow the operator’s advice.

An expected death at home

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.

An unexpected or sudden death

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.

A death in hospital

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.

A death in a care home

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

What happens
to the paperwork?

There are two main routes. We will explain which one applies and keep you informed.

Usual route

When the coroner is not involved

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.

Coroner’s route

When the death is referred to the coroner

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

Wait until you are told the paperwork is ready.

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.

Information the registrar may ask for

The person’s full name, including any previous names
Date and place of birth
Usual address and occupation
Marital or civil-partnership status
The full name and occupation of their spouse or civil partner
Your name, address and relationship to the person

The registrar can also explain death certificates and the free Tell Us Once service.

After registration

Bring the papers to us.

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 560641

Arranging the funeral

You can talk to us before registration.

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.

White roses and flowers beside a softly lit candle — Calm, personal guidance from the first conversation.

It helps to have:

The full name of the person who has died
Their date of birth and date of death
Where they died and where they are currently resting
The name and contact details of the next of kin
Whether burial or cremation is preferred, if known
Details of any funeral plan or wishes left by the person

Do not worry if you do not have all of this. We can begin with what you know.

Useful official guidance

Further information

Processes can differ when a death happens outside England and Wales. These official services provide current guidance.

GOV.UK: What to do when someone dies ↗GOV.UK: When a coroner is involved ↗GOV.UK: Tell Us Once ↗

Whenever you need us

One call is
all it takes.

We will listen, explain the immediate next step and stay beside you throughout the arrangements.

Call us, 24 hours a day01302 560641 info@kdixonfunerals.co.uk

210 Warmsworth Road, Balby
Doncaster, DN4 0TR