Parent passed away in Nursing Home - What to do?

RolandFlagg

My Mam passed away at night a couple of days ago in a nursing home.

They got an out of hours doctor to complete the medical certificate and I've been told it will be left at my Mam's GPs to be picked up from tomorrow.

What do I need to do then?

Do I register her death online, or go to the local register office?

If's the latter, do I just go in and drop the certificate off and they will get back to me with an appointment to get the death certificate and copies needed, or do I make an appointment and give them the certificate at that point and they will complete the death certificate then?

First time I've had to do this, so not 100% sure what the procedure is.

Thanks.

Torry_Quine

So sorry to hear this.
I would suggest looking up your local council website which will tell you how to do this 

Misslayed

@RolandFlagg Sorry for your loss, it's hard having to find your way round the legalities and admin. 

Very helpful information here, and the registrar will patiently guide you through it. 

https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death 

jsatellite

When my mum died earlier this year in hospital, they gave me a booklet that outlined how to register her death. It involved calling the hospital the next day to begin the process, but everything was done over email and phone. I don't think you need to visit register offices any more, but it may depend on your council. Your mum's GP surgery should be able to tell you what to do next.

BooJewels

Sorry for your loss. 

I think things are maybe done differently in different registration districts, as @Torry_Quine suggested.  But in my 2 recent cases, both in Lancashire, the GP sent the paperwork direct to the local Registrar, a clerk rang me the day after to make an appointment with the Registrar and I did the actual registration on the phone a couple of days after that.  Although the first one, in the first big lockdown, was all very new and the timescales were a lot longer as they were setting up new systems.

I never saw anyone in person or left the house, it was all done digitally or over the phone - I just made a payment by card over the phone for my additional death certificates (recommend a few, as you might need to send them to different places simultaneously) and they came in the post a couple of days later.  It was all sorted and done inside a week.

So perhaps ask your Mum's GP if they can send it on to the registrar for you - my GP has several staff who do these tasks particularly.  They rang me in advance to tell me what would happen and then rang again later to confirm what they'd done and what to expect next.  They handled it very sensitively.

ETA:  Apologies, I thought I'd hit the post button when the phone just went.  I hadn't and it looks like I'm just repeating what others have already said.  

RAS

Sorry for your loss

You'll need to make an appointment, preferably near the nursing home. Check here Find a register office - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

You may need her birth certificate, marriage certificate and NHS card, if you have them. They'll advise you when you ring. You'll be given details of the tell us once scheme, which makes dealing with the Government a lot easier.

You may be wise to get a spare copy of the death certificate anyway.

Have you spoke to the nursing home about clearing her room out? We had one small box of personal belongings as we gave her clothes away. They're useful if someone else arrives with very little.

The funeral director will need to see the death certificate before they organise the funeral. The hardest part is telling other people, so try and co-opt another family member or friend who can help you.

thegreenone

I am so sorry for your loss.  I have just passed the 1st anniversary of my Mum's death, also in a care home.

Things may have changed as we were still in big Covid days but if my memory serves me:

Mum died early hours on a Sunday.  The care home phoned to tell me and ask which Funeral Director I wanted to use.
They phoned the FD and Mum was collected.
FD phoned me on Monday morning to say that "Mum was in their care" and made an appointment for me to go in and discuss funeral arrangements.
They obtained the Medical Certificate from the GP and informed the Registrar.
I went online to book a telephone appointment and Reg. sent a list of the questions they will ask for the DC so I had time to prepare.
Phone call with Reg.  Paid over the phone for 5 DCs (£11.00 each).
Death registered, received the DCs and funeral arranged.

I'm not sure if things have opened up a bit more now.

Keep_pedalling

In a previous thread you said your mother had no savings, did she have a funeral plan in place or insurance to cover it?

tealady

Hi
I would ask the registrar about the "tell us once" service.
This is where they notify other organizations on your behalf.
Dont worry, take things 1 step at a time, it's not a 5 minute job dealing with a deceased persons affairs.

Pennylane

Very  sorry for your loss.  This may help

https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death

My Mum died last Christmastime and I did everything over the phone and via email. as others say, the funeral director will advise you.  The  “Tell Us Once” service is brilliant and save a lot of time.  It will all fall into place once you get the ball rolling.