If you would like to plan for a future funeral - your own, or a relative’s, then you will find all you need to know on the Golden Charter link.

However in each of the following circumstances the following will be required:

For deaths in hospital

The staff at the hospital are there to help - they will be able to answer any questions you may have.

You will need to see the staff, usually at a Bereavement Office, to arrange to collect the relevant paperwork. Tell them whether you would like a cremation or burial so that they can prepare the correct paperwork.

They will give you a medical certificate giving the cause of death. You must give this to the registrar.

For deaths at home

In the first instance you will need to contact your medical practitioner. A doctor, nurse or paramedic will need to certify the death. If this is not possible they may refer the case to the coroner.

If the death can be certified he will issue a medical certificate giving the cause of death. You will need to give this to the registrar.

The funeral director will come to collect the body.

If the doctor is not able to certify death, or there are other circumstances which require it by law, the death will be referred to Her Majesty's Coroner. A funeral director will be instructed by the coroner to collect the body as necessary. You do not have to use this funeral director for the funeral.

Her Majesty's Coroner is involved

The coroner may instruct a post mortem to be carried out. If the results of the postmortem are that the death was due to natural causes the coroner informs the registrar and the funeral can continue. You will have to see the registrar to obtain copies of the death certificate.

The coroner may decide that an inquest is necessary. In this case the inquest may be adjourned and it is usual for the funeral to continue, the inquest not starting for some time, possibly around 3 months. The coroner will issue you with interim death certificates until the final certificates are produced at the end of the inquest.