A practical guide
When someone dies.
The first hours and days after a death can be disorienting. This page is a quiet, practical guide - read at your own pace.
The first 24 hours
What happens first depends on where your loved one has died. In every case, there is no need to act immediately. Take a moment with them, if you wish.
If the death was expected, at home
Contact the GP or the community nurse. They will need to confirm the death. There is no rush to call us until the doctor has been. When you are ready, call us and we will come.
If the death was unexpected, at home
Call 999. Police and paramedics will attend. The coroner may need to be involved before the body can be moved.
If the death was at a hospital or hospice
The staff will guide you through the next steps. You can call us at any point - we will take over the arrangements when you are ready.
If the death was at a care home
The home will call the GP or out-of-hours doctor. Once a doctor has attended, you can call us to bring your loved one into our care.
Registering a death
By law, a death in England and Wales must be registered within five days. The funeral cannot proceed until this is done.
- Register the death within five days (or eight in Scotland)
- You can register at any register office, but the closest one to where the person died is fastest
- Bring the medical certificate of cause of death (issued by the doctor)
- Bring proof of address and ID if possible
- You will be issued a green form for the funeral director, and a death certificate (you can buy extra copies - five is usually a good number)
- For deaths in Croydon, the register office is at Croydon Town Hall - book online via the council website
If you are not sure where to begin - call us. We will talk you through it, and we can often book an appointment with the register office on your behalf.
Bereavement support
Grief takes many forms and there is no timeline. The organisations below offer free, confidential support - some immediately, some over weeks or months. There is no shame in reaching out.
Cruse Bereavement Care
National bereavement charity offering one-to-one support and group sessions across the UK.
The Compassionate Friends
Supporting bereaved parents and their families after the death of a child of any age.
Samaritans
Free, 24-hour confidential support for anyone in emotional distress.
NHS Bereavement Support
Practical and emotional bereavement information and signposting from the NHS.
Sue Ryder Online Community
Free online bereavement counselling and a supportive community forum.
AtaLoss
A signposting service to help bereaved people find the right support near them.
We are here for the practical, too.
If you would prefer to talk through any of this in person, just call. There is no obligation.
Available 24 hours - we will answer.