Guiding You Through the Early Days
When you lose someone close, knowing how to navigate the immediate arrangements can feel daunting. Our family team is here to stand by your side, bringing you clarity, comfort, and steady support when you need it most.
We Are Here When You Need Us Most
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cranbrook (J. Perigoe & Son): 01580 713636
Northiam (J. Perigoe & Son): 01797 260316
Grafty Green (A.W. Court): 01622 850840
Understanding the First Steps After a Loss
Our clear, gentle overview walks you through the initial responsibilities and legal requirements following a bereavement, helping you manage each detail with confidence.
Download our checklist
A helpful printable list of key things to remember in the days following a loss — from who to notify, to documents you may need.
We’re here when you need us most
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call us any time on: 020 8592 0164
(or your local West & Coe office)
What to do when someone dies
Our step by step guide helps you navigate the immediate steps and the essential arrangements that need to be made during this difficult time.
Download our checklist
A helpful printable list of key things to remember in the days following a loss — from who to notify, to documents you may need.
What to Do When Someone Dies
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
If someone dies at home
After a death has been confirmed, we are able to be with you whenever you prefer.
Most families would require us to be with them shortly afterwards, some however may wish to spend more time with their loved one. Whatever the wishes, our professional and caring staff will be with you anytime, day or night to move back to our Chapel of Rest. We will also be on hand to guide you through the registration process.
Is Unexpected
When a death is unexpected and the cause is unclear or of a sudden nature, an accident or industrial disease, the coroner is legally bound to become involved. In most cases their involvement is a formality and although an examination may be necessary to ascertain the cause of death, this should not delay the funeral taking place. In circumstances where the coroner can not establish the cause of death or is a result of an industrial disease or accident a formal inquest may be held. In this case you will be informed by the coroner and advised of the necessary procedures.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Nursing and Care Home
Once a death has been confirmed, our professional and caring staff are able to attend and remove your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest. On most occasions the duty manager at the home will contact us on the family’s behalf.
We prioritise discretion and sensitivity when attending a nursing or care home, priding ourselves on maintaining the highest level of respect for your loved one, the staff, and other residents .
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will take care of arrangements and have the deceased taken to the hospital mortuary. Following the completion of necessary documentation, we will be able to move your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest.
When a death occurs abroad
We are fully aware of all legal processes and requirements and are pleased to advise at any time.
Guidelines
Contact the deceased’s insurance company
- Check for travel, medical, or life insurance policies.
Many policies cover repatriation costs and may provide support for documentation and coordination and may notify the local authorities.
Contact local authorities
- Report the death to the local police or relevant authority in the country where it occurred.
- They will issue an official local death certificate, which you’ll need for all further steps.
Contact the British Embassy or Consulate
The embassy or consulate can:
- Help notify the deceased’s family (if you are not next of kin).
- Provide a list of local funeral directors in the country of death.
- Assist in arranging repatriation (returning the body or ashes home).
- Help you translate and authenticate documents (e.g., death certificate).
- Issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (in U.S. cases, for example), which can serve as an official record back home.
Obtain documentation
You will typically need:
- The local death certificate (translated and possibly apostilled or legalised).
- The deceased’s passport and identification.
- A certificate of embalming and certificate of sealing the coffin (if repatriating a body).
- A letter from the consulate authorising the transport of remains (if required by airlines or border authorities).
Register the death in the UK
Once you have the foreign death certificate, register the death in the UK. The coroner will need to be informed to verify the cause of death.
- They will advise where and how you register the death in the UK
- and will require translated, legalized copies of documents.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
If someone dies at home
After a death has been confirmed, we are able to be with you whenever you prefer.
Most families would require us to be with them shortly afterwards, some however may wish to spend more time with their loved one. Whatever the wishes, our professional and caring staff will be with you anytime, day or night to move back to our Chapel of Rest. We will also be on hand to guide you through the registration process.
Is Unexpected
When a death is unexpected and the cause is unclear or of a sudden nature, an accident or industrial disease, the coroner is legally bound to become involved. In most cases their involvement is a formality and although an examination may be necessary to ascertain the cause of death, this should not delay the funeral taking place. In circumstances where the coroner can not establish the cause of death or is a result of an industrial disease or accident a formal inquest may be held. In this case you will be informed by the coroner and advised of the necessary procedures.
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Nursing and Care Home
Once a death has been confirmed, our professional and caring staff are able to attend and remove your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest. On most occasions the duty manager at the home will contact us on the family’s behalf.
We prioritise discretion and sensitivity when attending a nursing or care home, priding ourselves on maintaining the highest level of respect for your loved one, the staff, and other residents .
Following a death whether at home, hospital or care home, any trained healthcare professional (i.e. Doctor, Registered Nurse or Paramedic) can confirm a person has died.
In a Hospital
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will take care of arrangements and have the deceased taken to the hospital mortuary. Following the completion of necessary documentation, we will be able to move your loved one back to our Chapel of Rest.
When a death occurs abroad
We are fully aware of all legal processes and requirements and are pleased to advise at any time.
Guidelines
Contact the deceased’s insurance company
- Check for travel, medical, or life insurance policies.
Many policies cover repatriation costs and may provide support for documentation and coordination and may notify the local authorities.
Contact local authorities
- Report the death to the local police or relevant authority in the country where it occurred.
- They will issue an official local death certificate, which you’ll need for all further steps.
Contact the British Embassy or Consulate
The embassy or consulate can:
- Help notify the deceased’s family (if you are not next of kin).
- Provide a list of local funeral directors in the country of death.
- Assist in arranging repatriation (returning the body or ashes home).
- Help you translate and authenticate documents (e.g., death certificate).
- Issue a Consular Report of Death Abroad (in U.S. cases, for example), which can serve as an official record back home.
Obtain documentation
You will typically need:
- The local death certificate (translated and possibly apostilled or legalised).
- The deceased’s passport and identification.
- A certificate of embalming and certificate of sealing the coffin (if repatriating a body).
- A letter from the consulate authorising the transport of remains (if required by airlines or border authorities).
Register the death in the UK
Once you have the foreign death certificate, register the death in the UK. The coroner will need to be informed to verify the cause of death.
- They will advise where and how you register the death in the UK
- and will require translated, legalized copies of documents.
Support Across Kent and East Sussex
When you lose someone close, our family team is here to bring you clarity and comfort from the very first moment. Operating from our three local offices, we provide the gentle direction you need, handling every formal arrangement while keeping your loved one close to home.
The Death Certification Process
As of 2024, all deaths in England and Wales are now subject to an independent review by a Medical Examiner to ensure accuracy and transparency for families. Following a death any trained healthcare professional (i.e. doctor, registered nurse or paramedic) can confirm a person has died. However, before a death can be registered, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must be issued. This will follow the following steps:
The Doctor’s Role:
A doctor who looked after your loved one will draft the certificate stating the cause of death. Under current regulations, a GP can complete this form based on their knowledge of the person’s medical history, regardless of when they last saw them. There is no longer a legal requirement for the GP to physically attend or view the deceased after death before the certificate can be issued.
Medical Examiner Review:
Every MCCD is now independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner. They are senior doctors who were not involved in the patient’s care. The GP will send the MCCD to the Medical Examiners office with the deceased medical history. The Medical Examiner will then review.
Next of Kin Notification:
A Medical Examiner or their office will then contact the next of kin. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the cause of death or raise any concerns.
Proceeding to Registration:
Once this review is confirmed the certificate (MCCD) is sent electronically (by the Medical Examiner’s office) to the Registrar. Once you have been notified by the Medical Examiner that the paperwork has been transferred, you can then contact the Register Office to book an appointment and register the death in the usual way.
If the Coroner is Involved
In certain circumstances, such as an unexpected death or where the cause is unclear the death may be referred to a Coroner.
- The coroners involvement is normally a formality and should not cause delay. Following an examination, they will issue a cause of death certificate for you to register the death of the deceased.
- Occasionally an inquest is deemed necessary. If this happens the deceased is normally released to your chosen funeral director, however the registration will only take place after the inquest has been completed.
- The Coroner’s Office will guide you through each stage of the process and advise you on all necessary procedures
Registering the Death
Once the Registrar has received the electronic MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s office, you must make an appointment to register the death.
When to Register:
By law, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales. This period begins once the Medical Examiner or Coroner has completed their review and released the necessary paperwork.
Where to Register:
You should normally register at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. Information can also be found by using the GOV.UK Register Office Finder. Most offices require a pre-booked appointment, which can often be scheduled online or by phone.
Who Can Register:
- Any relative of the deceased.
- A Partner: A long-term partner who was living with the deceased in an enduring relationship.
- Someone Present at the Death: This can include a friend, neighbour, or carer who witnessed the death or was present during the final illness.
- The owner or person in charge of the building: If the death occurred in a house, hospital, or care home, the person in charge of that building (e.g., a care home manager or hospital administrator) can register.
- The Person Arranging the Funeral: If no relatives or witnesses are available, the person taking legal responsibility for the funeral arrangements (often the executor of the will) can register.
Information You Will Need:
The procedure for registering a death is a simple interview with a registrar who will require the following details about your loved one:
Full name (including any maiden names)
Date and place of birth and death
Last known home address
Occupation
Martial status
If married, the spouse’s details (name, date of birth, and occupation)
National Insurance Number
While not always mandatory, bringing a birth certificate or marriage certificate can help ensure all details are recorded accurately.
Documents You Will Receive:
- The Green Form: This certificate allows the burial or cremation to proceed. It is usually sent directly to the Funeral Director by the Registrar.
- Death Certificates: You may wish to purchase several certified copies (currently £12.50 each) for banks, insurance, and other legal matters. Normally 3-4 copies are adequate as most organisations will need to see the original and then return. You are also able to obtain further copies at a later date.
- Tell Us Once Service: To save you from contacting multiple departments individually, the Registrar will offer you the Tell Us Once service. You will receive a unique code for the government’s Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple departments (such as the DWP or DVLA) simultaneously.
Understanding the Death Certification Process
In England and Wales, every passing is independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner or referred to a Coroner. The Medical Examiner is an experienced, independent doctor who evaluates the clinical circumstances surrounding the loss to verify and confirm the official cause of death before formal registration takes place.
This process involves five key stages:
1. Verification of the Passing
Before your loved one can be moved, a certified clinician—such as a general practitioner, paramedic, or registered nurse—must attend the location to formally verify that the death has occurred.
2. Drafting the Medical Certificate
3. The Independent Review
The medical team or hospital bereavement service will securely transmit the draft certificate and clinical notes to the Medical Examiner. This independent specialist carefully assesses the paperwork and contacts the family directly to explain the findings and answer any questions.
4. Authorisation and Transfer
Once satisfied with the clinical details, the Medical Examiner authorises the paperwork and securely forwards the completed MCCD to the local Registrar. The examiner’s office will then contact the next of kin to confirm that the documentation is ready for formal registration.
5. Formal Registration
The executor or next of kin must contact the local Register Office to book an appointment. Legally, this appointment should be completed within five working days of receiving confirmation that the Medical Examiner has released the paperwork.
When the Coroner is Involved
If a passing occurs suddenly, unexpectedly, or if the clinical cause is not immediately clear, the matter is automatically directed to the Coroner. Their legal duty is to look into the circumstances surrounding the loss to establish the facts and determine the official cause. This process may or may not require a formal Inquest.
For most families, the Coroner’s review is simply a routine formality that proceeds smoothly without causing significant delays . Following a standard medical examination, their office will issue the necessary certification directly, allowing the formal registration to go ahead.
On occasions where a more detailed Inquest is required, your loved one is still normally released into our care at the funeral home so that preparations can begin. While the final death registration cannot take place until the Inquest concludes, the Coroner will issue an Interim Death Certificate. This official document allows you to look after urgent estate and financial affairs in the meantime. Throughout this time, the Coroner’s dedicated officers will look after you, explaining each stage and offering clear guidance on what to do next.
- The coroners involvement is normally a formality and should not cause delay. Following an examination, they will issue a cause of death certificate for you to register the death of the deceased.
- Occasionally an inquest is deemed necessary. If this happens the deceased is normally released to your chosen funeral director, however the registration will only take place after the inquest has been completed, although an interim Death Certificate will be issued.
- The Coroner’s Office will guide you through each stage of the process and advise you on all necessary procedures.
Registering the Death
Once the registrar has received the electronic MCCD from the Medical Examiner’s office, you must make an appointment to register the death.
When to Register:
By law, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales. This period begins once the medical examiner or coroner has completed their review and released the necessary paperwork.
Who Can Register:
Legally, only specific individuals can register a passing. This responsibility falls to one of the following, listed in order of priority:
- Family Members: Any relative by blood or marriage.
- An Eyewitness: Anyone who was present at the location when the passing occurred.
- The Care Provider: The owner, duty manager, or person in charge of the nursing home or residential facility where the death took place.
- The Person Arranging the Funeral: The individual taking legal responsibility for instructing the funeral directors (such as an Executor, trusted family friend, or legal guardian).
Please note: You must book a pre-arranged appointment with the registration service before attending.
Where to Register:
You should normally register at the Register Office in the area where the death occurred. Most offices require a pre-booked appointment, which can often be scheduled online or by phone.
Local Registrar Offices –
EAST SUSSEX
Tel: 0345 60 80 198 | www.eastsussex.gov.uk/registration
Hastings: Hastings Town Hall, Queens Road, Hastings, TN34 1QR
Crowborough: Hookstead, Goldsmiths Avenue, Crowborough, TN6 1RH
Eastbourne: Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, BN21 4UG
Lewes: Southover Grange, Southover Road, Lewes, BN7 1TP
KENT
Tel: 03000 41 51 51 | www.kent.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths
Tunbridge Wells: The Mansion House, Grove Hill Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1EP
Tonbridge: Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, TN9 1TG
Tenterden: 2 Tenterden Gateway, Manor Row, Tenterden, TN30 6HP
Information to Bring to Your Appointment
The Registrar will sit down with you to record the official legal details of your loved one. To complete the paperwork, you will need to provide:
- The person’s full legal name (along with any previous married or maiden names)
- Their exact date and location of birth
- The date and specific place where they passed away
- Their last known residential address
- Their marital status at the time of passing
- Their final profession or occupation (even if they were retired)
- If they were married or in a civil partnership, the full legal name and date of birth of their surviving partner
- Their National Insurance Number
Guidance note: While presenting physical identification is not always strictly required, taking your loved one’s birth certificate, medical card, or marriage certificate with you to the appointment helps protect against spelling mistakes or data entry errors.
Documents You Will Receive:
- The Green Form: This certificate allows the burial or cremation to proceed. It is usually sent directly to the funeral director by the registrar.
- Death Certificates: You may wish to purchase several certified copies (currently £12.50 each) for banks, insurance, and other legal matters. Normally 3-4 copies are adequate as most organisations will need to see the original and then return. You are also able to obtain further copies at a later date.
- Tell Us Once Service: To save you from contacting multiple departments individually, the registrar will offer you the Tell Us Once service. You will receive a unique code for the government’s Tell Us Once service, which notifies multiple departments (such as the DWP or DVLA) simultaneously.
Things to Remember
To help you feel more in control during the early days, we have compiled a clear overview of the immediate details that require your attention following a bereavement.
We are Always Here for a Chat
Whether you would like to pop into one of our offices for a quiet talk or simply speak over the phone, our family team is only a call away whenever you need us.
Words from the
Families We’ve Helped
