When a loved one dies

Family members face many important tasks and, sadly, these need to be done at a time of personal distress. The team at Secure Haven Funeral Directors understand this and we have put together a detailed checklist to help families register the death and plan for the funeral.

At home

Contact your doctor at your local surgery, in the first instance.

The doctor will visit to confirm death.

Contact Secure Haven Funeral Directors to carry out the removal and bring your loved one into our care at our Chelmsford premises.

At a hospital or hospice

Once the doctor has confirmed the death, you will be able to advise the bereavement office if the funeral service will be a burial or cremation, and whom is your preferred Funeral Director. If cremation, medical forms will be ordered and completed by two doctors before the deceased is clear for removal from the hospital mortuary.

Registration

Registration of a death in the district in which it has occurred is required within five days and is by appointment only. The doctor who has certified the death will issue you with a Certificate Cause of Death. You must take this certificate with you to the Registrar. Also take the medical card and birth certificate, if possible.

Contact the Registrar’s central booking system for Essex, on 0345 6037632, to make an appointment at any of their offices. Alternatively, you can book online at Register a Death.

The Registrar will require the following information from you:

• Full name.
• Date and place of birth.
• Date and place of death.
• Marital status.
• Home address.
• Last occupation (even if retired).
• If married at date of death, the date of birth of the surviving partner.
• If female and married/widowed, maiden name and spouse’s full name and occupation.

The Registrar will issue you with a Death Certificate. More copies are available at this point, if required, and are charged at £11 per copy.

The Registrar will also issue the Green Certificate, which is required by a Funeral Director before a loved one can be brought into their care.