What to do when someone dies

It is normal for people to be unsure of what to do after a bereavement. We recommend that you contact us as soon as possible following the death to seek advice and we can take you through the initial steps.

If you know that a death is imminent, you can contact us to ask questions, or to start making some tentative arrangements.

Bereavement at QA – 02392 286175


Registry Offices (Gosport / Hampshire) and their website (that they would need to use to make an appointment to register): Tel: 0300 555 1392

Website: www.Hants.gov.uk/birthsdeathsandceremonies/death

Registry Office (Portsmouth): 02392 829041

Information regarding registering a death: https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death

Contact us if the coroner is involved

Important First Steps

  • Decide if you would like a burial or cremation
  • You must wait for the medical examiner’s office to confirm you can register the death
  • Notify the deceased’s GP of their death
  • Use the ‘Tell Us Once Service‘
  • Find out if they had a will and check if you are the appropriate person to arrange the funeral
  • Choose a funeral director. If you do not have anyone in mind, ask for recommendations or compare services locally.

 

The following flowchart is based on local information and may differ in other areas of the country. Please contact us if you are unsure of your next steps. Additional information can be found here.

If Death occurs at home, or a Nursing Home or Hospice. 

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The Death will need to be verified by a qualified medical practitioner such as a Doctor, Nurse, or a member of staff from the Care Home. Let them know at the earliest opportunity if you require a burial or cremation (if you know at this stage?) They will then give you permission to contact a Funeral Directors or do so on your behalf.

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Contact your chosen Funeral Director and they will be able to bring your loved one into their care. (if you call our office outside opening hours, press option 1 to speak to a funeral director, this number can be used 24 hours a day) We aim to be with you within an hour.

Call: 023 9250 1128

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Call the deceased’s Doctors Surgery the next working day so they can refer the death to the Medical Examiner, who will arrange for a referral to be made to the registrar.

The Medical Examiner may refer the death to the Coroners Office.  If so you will be contacted by them directly.  Please contact us so we can offer advice.

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You will be invited to make an appointment to register the death once the Medical Examiner has confirmed the cause of death.  The registrar will then forward the green form to your chosen funeral director.

If Death occurs at QA Hospital.

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Tell the hospital staff (as soon as possible) if you would like a burial or cremation (if you know at this stage).

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Call Bereavement Services on 02392 286 175 and leave a message. Wait until they call you back with an appointment (this may not be straight away as there are legal processes they have to adhere to.)

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The hospital will ask for the details of your chosen funeral director so they can email them the release paperwork, which will enable your loved one to be transferred into their care.
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Once the hospital have sent the Cause of Death certificate to the registrars they will advise you to make an appointment to register the death. Since 9th September 2024 all deaths in any health care setting that are not dealt with by the coroner will be investigated by the NHS Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner will advise when you are able to make an appointment to register the death. 
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The registrar will then forward the green form to your chosen funeral director.  This form is required for a burial or cremation.
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In the event that you are advised the coroner is going to be involved, please see the ‘If the death was unexpected’ (Coroner) section. Do not panic, as this is more common than people realise.  

If the Death was unexpected (Coroner).

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Families often worry when a death is referred to the Coroner, but this happens more frequently than people realise, and can be due to a number of different reasons. If someone dies unexpectedly the Coroner will be involved.

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If the person dies suddenly the police or coroner will call their contracted Funeral Directors, who will take your loved one to the hospital (unless the death occurred in hospital ) However, it is important to note that you do not have to use this Funeral Director to make the funeral arrangements, you can choose whichever Funeral Director you wish to instruct. 

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Call your chosen Funeral Director as soon as possible so they can offer advice and liaise with the Coroner’s Office, and other relevant people.

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Depending on the outcome of the Coroner’s investigation, you may not need to register the death, however, they will guide you through your next steps. It is requested that families only make tentative funeral arrangements until further notice.

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If a post mortem is required the Coroner will keep you fully informed and will ask you which Funeral Director you would like them to release the appropriate paperwork to. This paperwork will enable the Funeral Director to transfer your loved one into their care. If the Coroner decides to open an inquest  into the death this usually means they will provide you with interim paperwork to allow you to carry out a funeral and let organisations know of the death.