Advice

Help towards funeral costs
You may be eligible for help towards your funeral costs if you (or your partner) are receiving certain benefits, tax credits or are on a low income.
To find out if you are eligible or to make a claim please contact:
BEREAVEMENT SERVICE HELPLINE
0800 731 0469
Or visit www.gov.uk/funeral-payments for further information.

Registering a Death
When someone passes away, the doctor who had been looking after the deceased will issue The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
A Death must be registered within Five days in England and Wales. The Death must be registered in your local registrar's office. The Registrar will issue you with a copy of the certified entry the “Death Certificate” it is advisable to buy more than the one you are given. You may need these to close bank accounts etc.
The Certificate of burial or cremation, which is green in colour, is the document we as Funeral directors will need.

What you will need to take when registering a death
~ The medical certificate of cause of death
~ The medical card of the deceased (if available)
~ The birth certificate of the deceased (if available)
~ Marriage certificate and maiden name if the deceased was a married woman

Who can register a Death
~ The occupier or manager of a home in which the deceased resided
~ A relative living in the district where the death occurred
~ A relative or person who was in attendance at the Death
~ The person arranging the funeral
~ A close relative of the deceased

If you would like more information or have any questions about registering a death please do not hesitate to contact us.

What to do when a Death Occurs
When a Death occurs at home
Contact the Deceased's GP Surgery. A Doctor will attend and confirm that death has taken place and inform you where you can collect The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
With the permission of the attending Doctor and when you are ready please contact us at anytime of the day or night on 01209 214883 and we will take the deceased into our care.
Once you are in the possession of the Death Certificate, an appointment must be made to register the Death with the local registrar.
For the Cornwall Registration Service please call 0300 1234 181.

When Death occurs in a Residential or Nursing home
The Residential or Nursing home staff will contact the appropriate GP Surgery and with your permission will contact us at anytime of the day or night and we will take the deceased into our care.
They will also inform you as to where you can collect The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
Once you are in the possession of the Death Certificate, an appointment must be made to register the Death with the local registrar.
For the Cornwall Registration Service please call 0300 1234 181.

When Death occurs in a Hospital
When someone passes away in the hospital the Bereavement office will be in contact to arrange for you to collect The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from their office at the hospital.
With your permission the hospital will contact us and we will take the deceased into our care.
Once you are in the possession of the Death Certificate, an appointment must be made to register the Death with the local registrar.
For the Cornwall Registration Service please call 0300 1234 181.

When a Coroner is involved
Sometimes a Death will be reported to the Coroner. This can be for a number of reasons, for example:
~ Death was sudden
~ The Death involved violence or caused by an accident
~ The Death resulted from an industrial injury or industrial disease
~ The Death occurred whilst the deceased was undergoing an operation

When the Coroner is involved you will be kept fully informed of the progress every step of the way by the Coroner.
Once the Coroner is satisfied of the cause of death the Bereavement office will be in contact to arrange for you to collect The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from their office at the hospital.
With your permission the hospital will contact us and we will take the deceased into our care.
Once you are in the possession of the Death Certificate, an appointment must be made to register the Death with the local registrar.
For the Cornwall Registration Service please call 0300 1234 181.