What to do when a death has occurred

When a death occurs, many people are unsure who to contact, and when.
Most deaths occur at home or in hospital and the procedures involved differ slightly.

At Home:

When someone dies at home, the first contact should be with the GP surgery - they will normally call at the house and, if satisfied with the cause of death, will issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate. They will then share the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and proposed cause of death with a medical examiner, who will scrutinise these before submission to the Registrar. Once the Doctor or Medical Practitioner has attended and verified the death, and you are ready, you will need to contact us on (023) 9238 4455 (Cosham) or (023) 9248 4844 (Havant) to call at the address. You can call these telephone numbers any time of the day or night. We will bring your loved one into our care at our dedicated Chapel of Rests at 95 High Street, Cosham or 12 The Pallant, Havant, where they will remain up until the day of the funeral.

In Hospital/Nursing Home:

The staff available will have made the necessary arrangements for the doctor to issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate. They will then share the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and proposed cause of death with a medical examiner, who will scrutinise these before submission to the Registrar. If the death occurred in hospital, the hospital will notify the Registrar's Office.

An appointment will be required for you to attend the Registrar's Office to register the death. Once registered they will either produce a hard copy (green form) for you to give to our office or they will email a copy of the Registrar's Certificate of Burial or Cremation (green form) to us, or the Coroner will issue us with the necessary documentation before we will be able to convey your loved one into our care.

If they have died in a Nursing Home/ Hospice we will be advised by the staff on duty when we are required to attend to convey your loved one into our care.

When the Coroner is Involved:

In some cases a death may be reported to the Coroner. There are several reasons why the Coroner may be involved; it may simply be that a doctor has not seen the deceased for a set period of time before death (usually over fourteen days). The Coroner and their Officers are working in your interests. No doctor will issue a Medical Cause of Death Certificate in these circumstances, as the required information will be sent directly by the Coroner to the Registrar's office in the district where the death occurred.

We are always available for help and advice on anything you are unsure about. You can contact us here.

Please note: Funeral arrangements can be made before registering the death, we will however not be able to book the funeral service until after registration.

Registrar's Addresses and Opening Times

Probate

For information regarding probate, please click here to be redirected to the Probate Bureau for free advice, help and support.

How to obtain probate

When someone dies somebody has to deal with their estate (the money, property and any possessions left) by collecting all the assets, paying any debts and distributing the estate to those entitled. The Probate Registry issues the documents needed. This is called Grant of Representation.

There are three types of Grant

• Probate issued to one or more of the executors named in the will.
• Letters of Administration (with a will) issued when there is a will but no executor named, or the executor is unable to deal with the estate.
• Letters of Administration issued when the deceased has not made a will, or if the will is not valid.