What to Do Immediately
We understand that the time when someone dies can be confusing and worrying, as you will undoubtedly be filled with emotion in that moment.
The first steps on what to do immediately after someone dies depends on where the death occurred.
If the death happened at home
Contact the family doctor or out-of-hours service. From here, they will arrange for a medical professional to visit the home and confirm the death. Once this has been done, you can call us to bring your loved one into our care, and we’ll take care of the rest to put your mind at rest.
If the death happened in hospital, a hospice, or care home
The staff will let you know when the necessary paperwork is ready. Once it has been completed, we can make arrangements to bring your loved one into our care at a time that suits you.
No matter where the death happened, our team is available 24 hours a day. You can call us for immediate help or simply for reassurance about what happens next in the funeral process.
When someone passes away suddenly
If someone dies unexpectedly, call 999 straight away. Paramedics or the police will guide you on what to do next and may contact the coroner if further examination is needed. Once the necessary paperwork has been issued, the funeral can go ahead.
BCM Funerals are on hand to support you at any time, simply give us a call. We’ll bring your loved one into our care and we handle everything with dignity and respect, offering gentle, practical guidance throughout.
Registering a death
A death must usually be registered within five days at the local register office by a close relative. You’ll receive a green certificate for the funeral and copies of the death certificate for legal matters such as banking or pensions.
If you’re unsure how to book or what documents are needed, our team can explain each step and help arrange the appointment on your behalf.
Tell Us Once (TUO) service
The Tell Us Once service lets you notice government departments all at once after registering a death. It can inform HMRC, the DWP, and DVLA, and your local council, saving you from making several separate calls.
You’ll receive a reference number to use online or by phone. This simple service can ease the burden at an already difficult time.
You will need to give the registrar the following information:
When registering the death, the registrar will ask for key details including:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Occupation
- Name and details of any spouse or civil partner
Having this information ready helps the process run smoothly. If you don’t have everything to hand, don’t worry. The registrar will advise on what can be provided later.
