WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES
When the death occurs, in the first instance we suggest that you telephone Holmes and Family. We are here to help and guide you, please call and our friendly, welcoming team will be able to assist you. Please see our branch offices here.
The early stages of arranging a funeral can be confusing and overwhelming. We will be able to advise you on;
Creating a personalised funeral that reflects the beliefs, values and life of the person who has died
Registration and completion of statutory paperwork
Bringing the person who has died into our care
Arranging the funeral, (time and date, place of service, music and coffin choices)
Coming to our Chapel of Rest
If the death occurs at home before calling us, you will need to call the Doctor or medical professional who will need to attend to certify the death. Once this has taken place, we suggest calling Holmes and Family where our trained staff are always available to help and advise you on the next stages of arranging a funeral. There are no time constraints or legal requirements for a funeral director to bring someone into our chapel of rest, so please take your time if you wish and call us only when you’re ready.
If someone passes away at a residential home, the staff will advise us once the medical professional has attended.
If the death occurs at hospital or at the hospice, we won’t always need to attend immediately; however, you can call us to let us know what has happened, and if you wish, make an appointment, either in our office or at your home. At this point we can also answer any questions you may have, one of the Holmes family is available, 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
REGISTERING A DEATH
Before a funeral can take place the death must be registered in the sub – district where the death occurred. You must have received a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from a doctor before you can book an appointment. A G.P or Medical Professional who has attended and cared for the person who has died and us aware of their medical history usually completes this. The Medical Certificate is checked by a Medical Examiner who in turn will send the Certificate digitally to the registrar. You will be notified when you can make an appointment to register.
The Medical Examiner role was introduced in September 2024 to scrutinise the cause of death provided by the medical practitioner completing the MCCD. All deaths not investigated by the coroner must receive appropriate scrutiny by a medical examiner.
THE REGISTRAR WILL GIVE YOU:
A GREEN Form called the Registrars Certificate for Burial or Cremation (unless the Coroner is investigating the cause of death)
Register you onto the Tell Us Once Scheme, helping you to inform multiple government departments in one go. https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
Give you a Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8), this only applies for social security reasons in relation to pensions.
3 x Copies of the Death Certificate (Certified Copy of the Entry of Death) Additional copies can be procured at the time of registration (£11) and at a later date.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU:
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
The deceased’s passport or birth certificate
A Medical Card
A document with a usual address
Hampshire Registrar 0300 555 1392 Surrey Registrar Bracknell Forest Berkshire
THE REGISTRAR NEEDS TO KNOW:
Where the death occurred
The full name of the person who has died
Date of Birth and Death
Occupation
Whether they were in receipt of a state pension
The Registrar will then issue the GREEN form. The funeral director will need this to pass onto the relevant authority to where the cremation or burial is being held. The funeral director does not need a copy of the death certificate.
