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What to do at the time of bereavement:

If death occurs at home or in a nursing home:

If death occurs at home you must telephone the Doctor, who will visit and carry out a medical examination to confirm this. Once satisfied with the results of their examination the Doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Death (you may be asked to collect it from the surgery). You then need to contact your Funeral Director, as soon as possible, who will arrange to visit you, at a suitable time, day or night. (If death occurs in a nursing home, the staff will arrange for the Doctor to visit).

If death occurs in hospital:

One of the nursing staff will see you and arrange for the doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Death. At this time it is helpful if you can tell them whether the funeral is to be a cremation or not; this allows them sufficient time to complete the extra documentation that is required. You then need to contact your Funeral Director who will arrange to visit you at a suitable time, day or night.

Sudden death:

When death occurs unexpectedly it is usual procedure for the police to be involved. In these circumstances, it is also possible for the death to be reported to the Coroner and when this happens the procedures are somewhat different. You will still need to contact your Funeral Director who will arrange to visit you, day or night, and guide you through the process.

Registration:

This is the only part of the funeral arrangements that the Funeral Director cannot carry out on your behalf. You will need to do this personally. You will need to take with you to the Registrars: the Medical Certificate of Death, the Medical Card and also the Birth Certificate of the deceased. In turn, you will be given the necessary documentation to proceed. (Some Registrars work on an 'appointment only' basis.)

There are many questions you will be asked by the funeral director.

Has the deceased left any definite instructions for their funeral?

These instructions may be in the form of a will, or just noted and left with a solicitor, relative or friend or even with their insurance documents, medical cards etc.

If no instructions have been left it is usual for the next of kin or executor to make the necessary decisions.

Although there is no legal obligation to carry out wishes previously expressed by the deceased, it is usual to do so.

The owner of Cathedral Funeral Services Patrick Walseby is happy to conduct a funeral for people of no religion or do not require a minister of religion to be present.