1. An expected death at home.

When a death occurs at home and is expected (such as following a long illness), the first step is to contact the GP or an attending doctor. The medical professional will visit to confirm and pronounce life extinct.

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Once the death has been confirmed:

• Contact your funeral director immediately. The funeral director will arrange to collect and care for your loved one, ensuring they are treated with dignity and respect.

• The funeral director will be in contact with you to discuss the next steps and help guide you through the funeral arrangements at a suitable time.

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Meanwhile, the attending doctor will refer the death to the Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner will:

• Review the cause of death provided by the doctor.

• Speak with the next of kin to ensure there are no concerns.

• Once approved, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be sent directly to the Registrar, allowing you to proceed with registering the death.

The funeral director will remain in close communication with you during this process, ensuring that everything is handled with care and professionalism while the necessary documents are processed.

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2. Unexpected Death
 

In the case of an unexpected death at home or elsewhere, follow these steps:

• Call 999 immediately and request emergency services. Paramedics will attend, assess the situation, and confirm the death. If necessary, the police may also attend.

• In cases of sudden, unexplained, or suspicious deaths, the police will inform the coroner, who will investigate the cause of death. This may involve a post-mortem examination or other inquiries to determine the cause of death.

• Once the coroner’s investigation is complete, they will issue the necessary paperwork, allowing funeral arrangements to proceed. This could include a Form 100 for cremation or a Coroner's Certificate for burial or cremation.

• You can contact your funeral director at any point after the death. The funeral director will liaise directly with the coroner’s office to obtain the required paperwork for the collection of your loved one and ensure that the funeral arrangements can go ahead smoothly.

• The funeral director will arrange to meet with you to discuss the funeral wishes and guide you through each step of the process. They will remain in close contact with you throughout, ensuring everything is in place once the coroner has given approval.

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3. Death in a Hospital

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When a death occurs in a hospital, the process is slightly different, involving both the attending doctor and the hospital's Medical Examiner.

• The attending doctor will confirm the death and complete the necessary paperwork, which will then be reviewed by the hospital’s Medical Examiner.

• The Medical Examiner will review the cause of death, speak with the family to address any concerns, and, once satisfied, approve the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

• Once approved, the MCCD will be sent directly to the Registrar, and the family will be informed when the death is ready to be registered.
  
  After the Medical Examiner has completed the review:

• The family can proceed to register the death at the appropriate Register Office. At this stage, the Death Certificate and any necessary documentation (such as the Green Form for burial or cremation) will be issued.

• These documents will be required for the funeral to go ahead.

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You can contact your funeral director at any point, even before the formal paperwork is complete. The funeral director will arrange to meet with you to discuss your loved one’s funeral wishes and help guide you through the process. They will liaise with the hospital and Registrar to ensure all necessary documentation is in place, so that the funeral can proceed smoothly.

 

Registering the Death Under the New Medical Examiner Process
 

With the introduction of the Medical Examiner system in England, the process of registering a death has been updated:

1. The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must first be reviewed and approved by a Medical Examiner, who will ensure the accuracy of the cause of death.

2. Once approved, the MCCD will be sent directly to the Registrar, who will notify the family when the document has been received.

3. After being informed by the Registrar, you can schedule an appointment at the Register Office to officially register the death. You will need to provide information about the deceased, such as:

   • Full name.

   • Date and place of birth.

   • Occupation.

   • Last address.

   • Details of any spouse or civil partner (if applicable).

4. Once the death is registered, you will receive the Death Certificate. In some cases, you will also receive a Green Form (for burial or cremation) and possibly a Form 9, which your funeral director will require to proceed with the funeral arrangements