Funeral and burial

poppystar

Sorry to hear of your loss.

I’m not sure what size hospital your father was in but the one my father died in had a bereavement department. They had information on what to do next etc. they also had local knowledge of the Registrar. I seem to remember there is paperwork to be sent from the hospital to the Registrar before the death registration can take place. In my mother’s case this took days and much chasing to get and it had to be collected. When it came to my father they sent the information to the Registrar and then I was able to complete the registration. I think they would be a good starting point as obviously they have vast experience and local knowledge of how it all works. It may be that they will contact you but it’s unlikely they work weekends so wouldn’t have contacted you today. They may also be easier to contact and a more personal service. (Quite frankly I had to shake them off after a few weeks of follow up calls, sentimental poetry etc!) 

kipsterno1

Sorry for your loss. My father was on end of life care and even though it was expexted it still wasn't easy when he passed.

Good advice to liaise with the hospital bereavement team if you can. They will be able to guide you towards the next steps. Before the registrar can register a death they need the 'cause of death' form that will have been completed by the doctor certifying death. During covid these were being sent electronically which makes things easier but the hospital should be able to guide you.

As said there are some very well informed and helpful users on here who's posts both new and old help guide me through the whole probate process. Just ask there are no daft questions.

Newly_retired

Sorry for your loss.
When my mum died in hospital 70 miles away on a Saturday morning, ( many years ago now ) I was advised to contact the hospital's bereavement department on the Monday. I rang and then went down in person. As well as returning a few bits of property, they provided the paperwork needed for me to take to the Registrar - and gave me directions, so I did it that same day to save another journey. I purchased about 5 copies as it is cheaper and easier to do so at the time than to get more later. Both places were incredibly helpful, as was the undertaker. I hope you find your contacts equally helpful.

Cressida100

Bolt1234 said:

Dad passed this morning which is not unexpected I guess.  I tried to call Co Op funeral team and they were not great. Central call centre didn’t really know anything much bar filling in their form and passing it to the relevant CO Op branch which I truly hope will be better.  They kept saying whilst you were waiting (either no answer or 30 minute wait) that their staff were ill due to Covid hence the wait.  

I also understand from a friend that I might not even need to travel all the way to hospital and they can do death certificate via email.  Does anyone know whether that is true? I am trying to avoid 6 hour round trips just to tick some government box.

So sorry for your loss. I just wanted to reassure you that we used co-op funeral services when my mother died and they could not have been more helpful. I really hope your local branch is better. 

Bolt1234

Dad died Sunday morning and the medical certificate still has not been done let alone registering the death! I spoke to the Bereavement Office and they are going to look into it.

The system is broken. FD is organising what he can but it’s up to me to chase god knows who. My Father  was a good age but what if it had been a younger person.  It’s disgraceful.

Bolt1234

I have also been told that for speed I need to go to where he passed to register the death which is a 5 hour round trip.  All because people aren’t moving at a reasonable pace.

poppystar

It is a stressful time. It took them a week to produce the medical cert for my mother. Are you sure it’s worth such a round trip? If you are thinking of a February funeral then you have time. It’s so easy to get taken up by everything there is to do and the frustrations of dealing with organisations that don’t move as quickly as our brains are moving when faced with all the post death tasks to be done. It sounds like you have a helpful FD which is very good. 

Bolt1234

FD says no way can we wait until Feb btw.  We really have to do first two weeks in Jan

JGB1955

I'm sorry for your loss. However...I think your expectations may be too high. It's only been 3 working days since your father died.   Why the need for 'speed'? My father died during the first lockdown in June 2020. He died on a Saturday morning and I was contacted (by phone) by the local Registrar of Deaths the following Wednesday and the death was registered and certificates received in the post 10 days after death.  Please take time to step back and grieve...unless there is a religious need for a speedy burial, step back and breathe...
.

Bolt1234

What about religions who demand burial with 24 hours.  How on earth does that work?