What to do if someone dies

The First Stages

When someone dies at home or in a nursing home

If your loved one died at home, the first contact should be made to their Doctor or the Doctor on call. In most cases he will issue a Medical Certificate of Death.

In the case of a nursing home, the staff will call the doctor on your behalf.

In some cases, if for example the death was sudden and unexpected, the Doctor  will refer the deceased to the Coroner. 

The only other call to make is to Smith Yeatman. We would be honoured to arrange the dignified funeral of your loved one.

When someone dies in hospital

As your appointed Funeral Director will liase with all officials on your behalf and attend to all legal formalities with the exception of registration which we are not allowed, by law, to do. (See ‘How to Register a Death’).

The nursing staff will advise you on the collection of certificates and personal effects.

Make the phone call to your Funeral Director

Whenever you need the services of a professional Funeral Director, Smith Yeatman are proud to offer you their help and support. Peace of mind is only one phone call away with our 24 hour services.

What happens next?

We’ll arrange for collection of your loved one into our care whether it be from hospital, nursing home, duty funeral directors or a home address.

One of our dedicated Personal Funeral Advisers will contact you to arrange a time that is convenient to make the arrangements for the funeral.  We are available to visit your home or we can offer a dedicated arrangement room at our premises if you wish to visit us.

When someone dies suddenly

It is in the general interest of the community that any sudden or unexplained death should be investigated. The cost of this service is met by the Local Authority.

The most common reason for referral to the Coroner is that the patients’ doctor had not seen the deceased recently.
The Coroner may be able to ascertain that the death was from natural causes and that there is a doctor who will certify the cause of death.

If this is not the case, the Coroner will arrange for an examination which, in most cases, shows that the death was from natural causes.

He will issue the Coroner’s equivalent of the Doctor’s Certificate and forward it to the Registrar. The death will still need to be registered, although in the case of a cremation the registrar will not issue you with the green form.