Procedures After A Death

There are different types of procedures that take place when a death has occurred, and those procedures are determined by the type of death and the place of death, which both will then determine the urgency of calling upon a funeral director. The most common procedures that take place when a death has occurred are mentioned below.

Expected Death In a Hospital: The procedure following an expected death that takes place in a hospital, is for the senior next of kin or otherwise person with the legal right to arrange the funeral to appoint a funeral director of their choice, or to inform the pre-selected funeral director. The chosen or pre-selected funeral director will liaison with the hospital to arrange the transfer of the deceased, and if for any reason the transfer of the deceased is to take place immediately and there is no pre-selected funeral director, then the senior next of kin or otherwise person with the legal right to arrange the funeral is able to appoint a funeral director of their choice.

Expected Death In a Family Home or Nursing Home: The procedure following an expected death that takes place in a family home or a nursing home, is for the senior next of kin or otherwise person with the legal right to arrange the funeral to appoint a funeral director of their choice, or to inform the pre-selected funeral director. The chosen or pre-selected funeral director will ensure that the deceased’s Medical Practitioner or a Locum Doctor has confirmed the death and is satisfied that the death is not a Coroners Case before the transfer takes place.

Unexpected Death Anywhere: The procedure following an unexpected death in most cases that takes place anywhere, is for the Police to be contacted who will then contact and inform the Coroners office. The Coroners office will then arrange the transfer of the deceased into their care and the senior next of kin or otherwise person with the legal right to arrange the funeral will then appoint a funeral director of their choice, or inform the pre-selected funeral director. The chosen or pre-selected funeral director will then liaison with the Coroners office to arrange the transfer of the deceased once the autopsy and or other tests have been completed.

Please Note: We have described the most common procedures that take place when someone passes away and there could be situations that involve different procedures.