What To Do When Someone Dies                                      BACK

When someone dies at home
Make contact with your doctor who, if satisfied as to the cause of death, will issue the Medical Certificate of Death.  If the doctor is uncertain as to the cause of death he will refer the death to a coroner.

When someone dies in hospital or in a nursing home
The nursing staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Death and a Release Form, which needs to be signed by the next of kin, releasing the deceased into the care of the Funeral Director. If the funeral is to be a cremation please inform the hospital staff. When all necessary paperwork has been completed the funeral director will collect the deceased and take into their care.

If death occurs in a nursing home the nursing staff will make the arrangements with a doctor. 

When someone dies unexpectedly
If a death is unexpected it is normal for a coroner to be involved. The main duty of the Coroner is to investigate all sudden and unexpected deaths. He may require a post mortem examination to establish the cause of death and there may be a delay in making the funeral arrangements.

The funeral director will liaise with the Coroner and advise you of procedures.

When someone dies away from home or abroad
Formalities will be completed by a doctor or hospital in that area. A funeral director can make arrangements to bring the deceased home.

Registering the death
After the doctor or hospital has issued the Medical Certificate, the informant must register the death at the Registry Office. This should be done in the district where the deceased died, but if this is not possible you may go to your local Registrar.

What you need to take with you:
• The Medical Certificate
• Deceased’s Medical Card (if available)
• Birth and Marriage Certificate (if available)

Information the Registrar needs to know about the deceased:
• The date and place of death
• Their full name; maiden name if applicable
• Their home address
• The date and place of birth
• Their occupation
• Details of any pension or allowance from public funds
• If married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse

A death certificate or copies can be obtained for a small fee – these may be needed for legal or financial purposes.

The Registrar will also issue you with a green Registrar’s Certificate for burial or cremation. This will be needed by the Funeral Director. You will also be given a white Certificate of Registration of Death which is used to cancel payments of pensions and allowances from public funds.

Transplants
If the deceased has expressed wishes to a relative, or has completed donor cards, to donate eyes or organs you must contact the nearest hospital immediately to fulfill these instructions.