A bereavement is a traumatic time for those responsible for making funeral arrangements, so we have provided a short guide to the procedure following a death.

An Expected Death At Home.

The doctor of the deceased should normally be contacted, but out of office hours the call may be redirected to an on call doctor. The doctor will advise if the deceased can be removed to the funeral directors premises.

An Expected Death In A Nursing Home.

The nursing staff would usually make arrangements for the removal of the deceased to the funeral directors Chapel of Rest and obtain the necessary permission from the deceased’s doctor (primary care if out of hours) plus next of kin or executor.

A Hospital Expected Death.

When a death occurs in hospital the staff arrange transfer of the deceased to the hospital mortuary .The hospital arrange completion of the doctors paperwork or refer to the coroner as necessary. The bereavement office at the hospital is usually the point of contact for family members(open in office hours). Bedwardine may be contacted if the family wish to use our services or the bereavement office should be notified of a preferred funeral director.

A Sudden Or Unexpected Death At Home/Nursing Home or Hospital.

The doctor of the deceased or Police may be contacted depending on the circumstances. The doctor will involve the police and coroner and the deceased will be removed into the Coroners care at the hospital by the coroners contracted funeral director. The coroners office will keep the family informed of certification and procedures.