When Someone Has Died

When a death occurs, the sad duty of making funeral arrangements often falls to relatives or the closest friends. Few of us have never dealt with such situations before and it is only human to feel anxious. After all, you are taking responsibility for both practical and spiritual matters and doing your best to comfort others when you, yourself are most vulnerable.

Fortunately by choosing Steven Stewart Funeral Directors that one simple decision ensures that all plans you make will be carried out with care and the utmost attention to detail.

Death at Home    

When a death occurs at home and has been expected it is necessary to inform the deceased's doctor. You should also call a funeral director as early as possible, as they will be able to guide and assist you. The doctor will issue the death certificate.

Sometimes, out of hours, a locum doctor or perhaps a nurse will give you a letter attesting to the fact that death has occurred thus allowing the funeral directors to take the deceased into their care.

Death in Hospitals, Hospices & Care Establishments

When a loved one passes away in a hospital, hospice or care establishment the duty doctor will complete the death certificate. Normally the deceased will be removed to the mortuary at the hospital or care home. Sometimes the care home will not have a mortuary or chapel of rest and may ask the family to arrange for a funeral director to call and remove the deceased to their facilities. Once again early contact with a funeral director is advised.

Sudden or Unexpected Deaths

When someone dies suddenly, as the result of an accident or in a situation where the deceased's GP feels unable to issue a death certificate then the death and the circumstances surrounding it will become a matter for the procurator fiscal. Usually the procurator fiscal will make arrangements for the person who has died to be taken to the mortuary. A post mortem examination may be required. Once the Fiscal is satisfied with the circumstances surrounding the death a death certificate will be issued. If cremation is desired then the procurator fiscal will issue a special certificate (Form E1) to allow cremation. Even if there is an enquiry into the cause of death families would be well advised to contact a funeral director as soon as possible so that some provisional arrangements can be made.

Death Occurring Overseas

Normally a death occurring abroad will necessitate the involvement of the Consul in that country. It is likely that the deceased will have travel insurance, which should cover the cost of repatriation of the deceased back to a local funeral company in the UK, but not the funeral itself. Early contact with a funeral director is advisable for guidance and information.