Scotmid Funeral Services

When someone dies

When someone passes on most people are unsure of who should be contacted and when. There are certain procedures that should be followed depending on where the person died.

When someone dies at home

When someone dies at home, the first person to contact should be the family GP who will normally call at the home and once satisfied with the cause of death, will issue a Death Certificate. In some cases, you may be asked to call at the surgery to collect the certificate.

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When someone dies suddenly

In some cases, a report may have to go to the Procurator Fiscal. There are many reasons for this. It may be, for example that the family GP has not seen the deceased within a reasonable time prior to death. In some cases the Police may be involved but we stress there is no need to worry as this is a normal procedure, usually associated with sudden deaths.

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When someone dies in hospital or a nursing home

When someone dies in hospital or a nursing home, you will usually be dealing with the sister or sister in charge. They will have made the necessary arrangements for the doctor to issue the Death Certificate and will let you know when it will be available. If you have decided that the funeral is to be by cremation, you should let the hospital or home know this, as additional papers have to be prepared by the doctors and letting them know will save possible delays later.

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Contact your Funeral Director

You should then contact your Funeral Director who will ask for information regarding yourself, the deceased and the place of death. It is not essential that you have the Death Certificate before making contact.

Whatever the circumstances we will care for your loved one with respect and dignity in our Funeral Home until the time of the funeral. You may wish to pay your last respects to your loved one, privately and peacefully while they are with us.

In truth, one of the first people you should contact is a Funeral Director as they exist purely to make life easier for you. Contact a Funeral Director.

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Contact the Registrar

Once you have received the Death Certificate, (it's worth bearing in mind that you may need several copies of this) the death has to be registered. It is the duty of a relative of the deceased to inform the Registrar of a death, just as it is with a birth. Registration should take place prior to the funeral and cremation cannot proceed until the death is registered. Find out what kind of information the registrar requires.

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Organisations to contact

The reason you will need several copies of the Death Certificate is that there are other companies and organisations to be informed of your loved one's passing. One of the first organisations to contact should be the deceased's firm of solicitors to establish if a last will and testament exists and is in their care. Other organisations who should be contacted are listed below:

Banks and/or Building Societies | Home insurance | Electricity | Hire Purchase | TV License | Pensions | Pre-Booked Holidays | Library books to be returned | Life Assurance and/or Insurance | Car Insurance | Gas | Rental Companies | Road Tax | Inland Revenue | Voluntary Services | Medical Equipment on loan | Credit Card or Shop Card | Driving License | Telephone | Club Membership | Passport | Post Office | Council Tax | Dentist | Premium Bonds | Council Housing Department

These are the main organisations you should advise, but this list is by no means comprehensive and you will not require a copy of the Death Certificate for each one. What normally happens is that you will find yourself posting one copy to one organisation and one to another and operating a rota system with the copies you eventually have. The Registrar will advise how many you are likely to need.

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Notify Friends & Colleagues

It is also likely that you will wish to notify friends and colleagues of the deceased through the columns of newspapers. Your Funeral Director can see to this on your behalf with notices in local, national or international publications if required.

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