What to do when someone dies
The death of a family member whether sudden or expected can be difficult to deal with and upsetting for obvious reasons.
Please find guidance below on what to do depending on the circumstances. If you have questions or find this overwhelming, please call us for advice.
When someone dies at home
If the death was expected then call the doctor (the GP) of the person who has died. They will send a doctor to confirm the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Death. If the surgery is closed they will still visit but you will normally get the certificate the next day.
You do not have to wait for the certificate to be issued before you call your funeral director, as long as the death has been verified by a professional, we are available 24/7.
If the death was unexpected or the person has not seen their GP for 28 days
Call an ambulance on 999
The ambulance operator will advise you on what to do. If the cause of death is uncertain then the body will be taken to the coroners so that a post-mortem can be completed. This is an investigation into the death. Once complete the Coroner will issue the medical certificate of death.
What to do if someone dies in hospital
The hospital will provide the medical certificate and look after the body until you instruct a funeral director to collect them
In all cases register the death
By law you must register the death within 5 days. See list of register offices or consult the government website.
Scattering ashes
Dealing with ashes following a funeral
For many families in the UK funeral arrangements have been severely limited in numbers or restricted on attendance altogether and more and more families are choosing a direct cremation service instead of an attended cremation.
It is entirely legal to hold a memorial service or event (both religious or non-religious) many months later including holding a “Celebration of Life” or event to scatter the ashes of the deceased, or both. We can organise this for you and provide an officiant to lead the event.
Ashes Scattering Options
On land
To scatter ashes on land in the UK you need the landowner’s permission. If it is your own land or garden, you can do so at any time. For other locations you will need permission. We are happy to advise on this and seek permission for you (and provide a minister or celebrant to perform a short service).
On water
Unless privately owned it is fully permissible to scatter ashes on the beach or sea. However, there are a few guidelines to follow – see the document from the Environment Agency.
Generally speaking, it is advisable to be courteous to other members of the public using the area and ensure you are over 1km from anywhere that water is collected or pumped. Marinas and harbours are usually private areas, and scattering is not allowed without permission.
In coastal areas such as beaches locally be aware of strong winds and consider using one or more water urns that can be floated on the surface, these are biodegradable and usually designed to float for a period of reflection before sinking and dispersing naturally.
We supply a range of water urns available from our friends at Scattering Ashes
https://scattering-ashes.co.uk/cremation-urns/urns-for-water/
Scattering by boat
Weather permitting it is perfectly fine to scatter ashes from a boat on a river or sea subject to any permissions needed. This can include a short service, or few words spoken by family members, or an officiant organised by ourselves.
This can include refreshments before, during or after the event. Our staff can look after the entire event from beginning to end leaving the family free to concentrate on remembering the person who has passed.
For more information on any of the above please email us at hello@shffunerals.com
Bereavement Support
Most people expect to be very upset or distressed when someone close to them has died. What takes many people by surprise is how strong the emotions can be, how they can change very quickly, and how long they last. People around you may seem to think you should be ‘back to normal’ after a few weeks or months. You might appear to be your usual self to other people, but you know that on the inside, you’re not even sure what normal is anymore.
Everyone grieves in a way that is unique to them and their relationship with the person who has died. Well-intentioned people may say to you, ‘Time is a great healer.’ Sometimes, however, it can seem that life is more difficult as the weeks and months go by.
We know that no-one can understand exactly what your loss feels like to you. But we do understand that it’s sometimes easier to talk to someone outside of your friends and family about grief and the impact of bereavement of your life and this is why we offer the GriefChat service.
GriefChat was created by bereavement experts and by clicking on the GriefChat box below, you can chat directly to a specially trained bereavement counsellor. GriefChat counsellors are experienced in supporting bereaved people and will listen to your story, explore how your grief is affecting you and help you to find any additional support you might need. GriefChat is a completely free service and is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm (except Bank Holidays).
GriefChat provides emotional support for bereaved people, access to trained bereavement counsellors and referral into other specialist bereavement services.
At A Loss – signposting bereavement care
Marie Curie bereavement support
Good Goodbyes Podcast
Good Goodbyes podcast is hosted by Otter Valley Funerals director Simon Savage, based in Budleigh Salterton, Devon. This resource may be useful to answer questions surround the ‘cans and can nots of funerals’
https://www.ottervalleyfunerals.co.uk/good-goodbyes-the-funeral-facts-podcast/
Financial Support for Funeral Services
A Funeral Expenses Payment from the Government can help pay for some of the costs of the following:
- Burial fees for a particular plot
- Cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
- Travel to arrange or go to the funeral
- The cost of moving your loved one within the UK, if they are being moved more than 50 miles
- Death certificates or other documents
You can also get up to £1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as the Funeral Director’s fees, flowers or the coffin.
The payment will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral.
How much you get depends on your circumstances. This includes any other money that’s available to cover the costs, for example from an insurance policy or the deceased person’s estate.
A Funeral Expenses Payment is paid into your bank, building society or credit union account if you’ve already paid for the funeral.
The money will be paid directly to the organiser of the funeral (for example, the Funeral Director) if you have not paid yet.
Check the claim form notes for more information.
You can get a Funeral Expenses Payment if all of the following apply:
- You get certain benefits or tax credits
- You meet the rules on your relationship with your loved one
- You’re arranging a funeral in the UK
- You (or your partner) must get one or more of the following:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- The disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
You must be one of the following:
- The partner of the deceased when they died
- A close relative or close friend of the deceased
- The parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
- The parent or person responsible for a deceased child who was under 16 (or under 20 and in approved education or training)
You can make a claim by phone by calling the Bereavement Service helpline from Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm:
Telephone: 0800 151 2012
Welsh language: 0800 731 0453
Textphone: 0800 731 0464
Welsh language textphone: 0800 731 0456
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 151 2012
You can also claim by post. Download and fill in the claim form (SF200), then send it to the address on the form.
If you need any help or support with understanding whether you meet the eligibility criteria, or with making an application for the payment, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on 07726 367 598 , or by emailing hello@shffunerals.com
Links for Financial Assistance
Government Money Advice Service
List of register offices
Please see below a list of useful organisations and contacts. If the help you need is not listed please call us for advice and we will do our best to assist you. You can also find your local registration office here: https://www.gov.uk/register-offices#results
South Hams Registration Office
| Address: | South Hams Registration Office, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, TQ9 5NE |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
Newton Abbot Registration Office
| Address: | Devon Register Office, Old Forde House, Brunel Road, Newton Abbot, TQ12 4XX |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
Exmouth Registration Office
| Address: | Exmouth Register Office, Exmouth Town Hall, St Andrews Road, Exmouth, EX8 1AW |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
Tavistock Registration Office
| Address: | Tavistock Registration Office, Council Offices, Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, PL19 0BZ |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
East Devon Registration Office
| Address: | East Devon Registration Office, Town Hall, St Andrews Road, Exmouth, EX8 1AW |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
| Appointments: | All appointments by prior arrangement – please telephone. |
| Opening hours: | 9:00am – 4:00pm |
Exeter (Devon) Registration Office
| Address: | Devon Registration Services, Larkbeare House, Topsham Road, Exeter, EX2 4NG |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | register@devon.gov.uk |
West Devon Registration Office
| Address: | West Devon Registration Office, Town Hall Offices, Fore Street, Okehampton, EX20 1AA |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | register@devon.gov.uk |
Tiverton (East Devon) Registration Office
| Address: | Mid Devon Registration Office, Old Heathcoat School Community Centre, King Street, Tiverton, EX16 5JJ |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
Honiton Registration Office
| Address: | East Devon Registration Office, East Devon Business Centre, Heathpark Way, Heathpark, Honiton, EX14 1SF |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |
Torridge Registration Office
| Address: | Torridge Registration Office, Caddsdown Business Support Centre, Farm Road, Bideford, EX39 3DX |
| Telephone: | 0345 155 1002 |
| Email: | srteign@devon.gov.uk |