AFTER THE DEATH OF A LOVED ONE
This page is intended to give practical advice following the loss of a loved one.
​
If you feel at any time you need to speak to us for support call us on 01765 647163. We are always here to help.
​
When someone passes away, their death needs to be verified by a Nurse, Doctor or Paramedic. After this has taken place, we are able to bring your loved one into our care at our family’s funeral home in Ripon.
IF THE DEATH OCCURS AT HOME OR IN A NURSING OR CARE HOME
When A death occurs at home or at a nursing or care home, a staff member or yourself should contact the GP, who will then visit the deceased and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The GP will then send the MCCD to the Medical Examiner to be scrutinised. At this point, please contact us and we will bring your loved one into our care at our chapel of rest in Ripon. The Medical Examiner will contact you directly when you are able to register the death.
​
If the Nursing or Care Home staff are to liaise with us directly, please advise them whether there will be a cremation or burial.
​​
IF THE DEATH OCCURS IN HOSPITAL
If a death is expected and occurs at a hospital, a staff member, quite often from the bereavement team, will contact the next-of-kin. They will arrange for you to collect any personal effects and issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, together with the hospital’s own release form, if they issue one.
​
The hospital will care for the deceased until you have made arrangements with us to bring them into our care at our chapel of rest.
​
The hospital staff will also inform you of the procedure for registering the death.
WHEN THE DEATH IS UNEXPECTED
If a death occurs suddenly or the deceased has not visited their doctor in the last fourteen days, the death will need to be reported to the Coroner, who may call for a post-mortem examination or an inquest. If the death occurs within a hospital or nursing home, they will report the death and advise you of the next steps.
​
If there is an unexpected death which does not occur within a hospital or nursing home, dial 999 and request an ambulance and police immediately, explaining the circumstances. They will arrange for the deceased to be taken to a mortuary where the Coroner is informed, and you will be contacted to advise you of the next steps to take and also when we will be able to bring the deceased into our care.
​
Usually, the Coroner’s work can take several days to complete. The Coroner will keep the next-of-kin informed at each stage of the process and will advise when you will be able to register the death and arrange the funeral.