After A Death Has Occurred

​When someone has died this can be a very sad and distressing time and there are several matters you will have to attend to. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the death, this will determine the steps to follow. We can advise and guide you through the process, any time of day or night. If this is the first time you have had to deal with a bereavement, it will be a shock. As experienced funeral directors, we have dealt with a number different situations, so please do contact us for help and guidance.

- If a loved one dies at home, their local doctor has to be called who can certify that they have passed away​

- If they have been in receipt of palliative care from a nurse/medical professional at home, they can certify that they have passed away​

- If your loved one dies in hospital or a care home, nursing staff will be able to help you through the process​

- Once one of the above has taken place, the funeral director can then be called to remove your loved one to the chapel of rest

  • In cases of sudden or accidental death, this maybe reported to the coroner. They have a contract with a funeral director to remove the body to the medico legal centre. You are under no obligation to use the funeral director who undertakes the removal. It is your choice which Funeral Director you use.

  • The death has to be registered within 5 days. Should this not possible, you will need to contact the register office and inform them of the delay, The person who registers the death must be a close relative, a person who was present at time of death, a relative who was there during their last illness, a relative who lives in the same district.

  • - Medical certificate of cause of death

    ​- The deceased person's birth certificate

    ​- The deceased person's marriage certificate (if they had one)

    ​- The medical card of the deceased

    ​- When you have seen the registrar, you will be given the death certificate

    ​- A certificate of burial or cremation (the green form for the Funeral Director)

    ​- A white form (BD8) for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

    ​The registrar will then be able to explain to you the 'Tell Us Once' service

  • 'Tell Us Once' is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. When you register the death the registrar will:

    - Let you know if the service is available in your area. (Sheffield does use this system)

    - Give you the phone number

    - Give you a unique reference number to use the Tell Us Once service online or by telephone'

  • ​Sheffield Registrar Office

    0114 2039427​

    Sheffield Coroner

    0114 2738721​

    Sheffield Medico Legal Centre

    0114 2738721​

    Barnsley Registrar Office

    01226 773090 (appointments)​

    Barnsley Coroner

    01226 736031

    Rotherham Registrar Office

    01709 823542​

    Rotherham Coroner

    01302737135