Here Day and Night
Telephone guidance is available 24 hours a day when someone has died.
Clear guidance, whenever you need it
What to Do When Someone Dies
When someone you love dies, it can be difficult to know what must happen first. We will guide you calmly through the immediate steps, the paperwork and the funeral arrangements.
You can call us before the death has been registered.
Clear First Steps
What you do first depends on where and how the death occurred.
Paperwork Explained
We explain the Medical Examiner, coroner and registration process.
Personal Support
A dedicated advisor will help you arrange a fitting and personal farewell.
The immediate steps
What to Do First
Choose the situation that applies. There is no need to manage everything at once. The first task is simply to make the correct initial call.
An Expected Death at Home, in a Care Home or Hospice
Contact the GP, community nursing team, hospice nurse or care home staff so that a qualified healthcare professional can verify the death.
Outside normal GP hours, NHS 111 or the relevant out-of-hours clinical service can advise who will attend.
Once the death has been verified, call us and we can arrange to bring your loved one into our care.
A Sudden or Unexpected Death
Call 999. The ambulance service and police may attend and the death will usually be referred to HM Coroner.
Do not move the person or disturb the immediate surroundings unless emergency services tell you to do so.
The coroner's officers will explain what happens next. You can still call us for support and begin discussing the funeral.
A Death in Hospital
Hospital staff will verify the death and transfer your loved one to the hospital mortuary. The hospital bereavement or Medical Examiner team will then guide you through the paperwork.
You can tell the hospital that Jennifer Ashe & Son is your chosen funeral director and contact us whenever you feel ready.
We will liaise with the hospital and arrange collection once the required legal authority has been received.
You do not need to wait
You Can Call Us as Soon as You Feel Ready
Registration and medical paperwork may still be in progress, but we can begin supporting your family immediately. We will explain which arrangements can be confirmed and which details may need to remain provisional.
Immediate practical guidanceWe explain who to call and what information you may be asked for.
Bringing your loved one into our careWhere permitted, our team will arrange the transfer with dignity and respect.
Funeral arrangements at your paceAppointments can be made at one of our branches, at your home or by telephone.
The process explained
What Usually Happens Next
Every death is independently reviewed in England and Wales, either by a Medical Examiner or by HM Coroner. We will help you understand where the case is in the process.
01
Verification
A qualified healthcare professional confirms that the person has died.
02
Independent Review
A Medical Examiner reviews a non-coronial death, or the case is considered by HM Coroner.
03
Registration
The registrar receives the medical paperwork and tells the family how to register the death.
04
Funeral Authority
The legal authority for burial or cremation is issued so the funeral can proceed.
Independent scrutiny
Medical Examiner or Coroner?
The two processes serve different purposes. Neither necessarily means that anything is wrong.
Most non-coronial deaths
The Medical Examiner
A Medical Examiner is a senior doctor who independently reviews the proposed cause of death and the medical records. The office may contact the family to explain the cause of death and provide an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns.
Once the review is complete, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent to the registrar.
Certain deaths require investigation
HM Coroner
A death may be referred to the coroner because it was sudden, unexpected, unnatural, the cause is unknown or another legal reporting reason applies.
The coroner may decide that no further investigation is required, arrange a post-mortem examination or open an inquest. The coroner's office will keep the family informed.
Making the death official
Registering the Death
The registrar will tell you when the medical paperwork has arrived and how to book the registration. In England and Wales, a death is generally registered within five days, unless HM Coroner is involved.
- You will be able to purchase certified copies of the death certificate.
- The legal authority for burial or cremation is normally sent electronically to the funeral director.
- The registrar can give you access to the free Tell Us Once service.
- We can continue discussing the funeral before registration is complete, although the date may initially be provisional.
The days that follow
Practical Matters to Consider
These tasks do not all need to be completed immediately. Choose what is urgent, keep notes and ask family members or trusted friends to help.
Secure the Property
Lock doors and windows, arrange care for pets, collect post and make suitable arrangements for heating, plants, bins and the garden.
Find Important Papers
Look for a will, funeral wishes, a pre-paid funeral plan, insurance policies and the contact details of the solicitor or executor.
Use Tell Us Once
This free government service can notify many public bodies, including HMRC, DWP, the local council, DVLA and the Passport Office.
Banks and Insurance
Contact banks, building societies, pension providers, insurers, credit card providers and investment companies when you have the required documents.
Services and Appointments
Cancel medical appointments, care services, subscriptions, deliveries, utilities and memberships where appropriate.
Keep a Simple Record
Use a notebook or folder to record calls, names, reference numbers, documents sent and any costs paid on behalf of the estate.
Official guidance
Useful Government Information
These official services provide further guidance about registration, notifying government departments and dealing with an estate.
Families we have supported
Care When It Matters Most
Kind words from families who trusted our team to guide them through a difficult time.
Common questions
Questions Families Often Ask
Do we need to register the death before calling a funeral director?
No. You can call us as soon as you feel ready. We can provide guidance, arrange an appointment and begin discussing the funeral while the medical and registration process continues.
Can you bring someone into your care during the night?
Yes, where the death has been verified and the necessary authority is in place. Our telephone lines are answered 24 hours a day and our team will explain what can happen immediately.
Does a coroner referral mean the funeral will be delayed?
Not always. Some referrals are resolved quickly, while a post-mortem examination or more detailed investigation can take longer. We can begin planning the funeral, but the date may remain provisional until the coroner authorises release.
Can funeral arrangements begin before the Green Form is received?
Yes. We can discuss the service, coffin, vehicles, flowers, stationery and other wishes. The legal authority for burial or cremation must be received before the funeral itself can proceed.
What happens if there is a pre-paid funeral plan?
Tell us about the plan when you call. We will check the plan details, explain what is included and help the family arrange any personal additions or third-party services.
Can you help if the death happened outside Staffordshire or the West Midlands?
Yes. We cover the whole of Staffordshire and the West Midlands and regularly travel into other counties when requested. We can also advise about bringing someone back into the area.
Speak to our team
We Are Here Whenever You Need Us
Call the branch most convenient for you. Outside office hours, our telephone lines remain available for immediate guidance.
This page provides general guidance for deaths in England and Wales. The exact process can vary depending on the circumstances, the local Medical Examiner service and whether HM Coroner is involved. Our team will help you understand the steps that apply to your family.