Following a Bereavement

After someone has died you may feel in a state of shock and disbelief. It is not unusual when one is feeling like this to find that it is hard to remember everything that needs to be done. We hope that this information will help you through the practicalities over the next few days.

What you need to know in times of bereavement

Our services to you start when you contact us, whether by telephone or calling in personally, and will often extend far beyond the day of the funeral.

On initial contact we will ask for preliminary details and will arrange the conveyance of the deceased to our private chapel.

We will then arrange for the funeral director to call at a time and place to suit the family, to make arrangements with you that meet the needs and requirements of those concerned.

There are some practical things that need to be attended to immediately. It may be helpful for you to invite a relative or a friend to accompany you as you carry out the following important tasks.

Registering a death

In normal cases the death has to be registered within 5 days at the register office for the district in which the death occurred.

If death occurs at home
As soon as possible inform the Doctor that the death has occurred. He/she may write out the medical certificate of Death (which is required to register the death) when he/she visits the house, or may request you attend the surgery for this purpose.

When death occurs in hospital
When death happens in hospital the procedure is very similar. Apply to the hospital for the medical certificate of death and not your family Doctor.  

When the coroner is involved
In cases where the death has been reported to the Coroner the procedure is somewhat different. The Coroner and his officers are working in your interest. No Doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Death. This will be sent by the Coroner to the Registrar’s Office in the district where the death occurred, after contact has been made with the Coroner’s office.
It is important to note that when a death has been referred to the Coroner the funeral arrangements may take longer than normal due to various circumstances. The Coroner’s Officer and our Funeral Director will keep you update during this process.  

How to register a death

Who can register

• A close relative of the deceased
• A relative in attendance during the last illness
• A relative living in the district where death occurred
• A person present at death
• The person causing the disposal/arranging the funeral

Documents required

• Medical certificate of death
• Medical Card if available, or
• Birth Certificate & information regarding the date of birth

Information required to Register

• Date and place of death
• Full name of deceased (maiden name if applicable)
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation and home address
• If married, full name and occupation of surviving spouse

Certificates you will receive

• Disposal Certificate/green certificate to be given to our Funeral Director
• Social Security Certificate to be handed in at the D.W.P. Offices with any pension books
• Copies of Entry of Death for banks, insurance policies and solicitors (we advise that you obtain several copies)

The Will & obtaining Probate

If the person made a will someone will be named as the person to manage the estate (the executor). The Will may contain the person’s preference for their funeral & information about any pre-paid funeral plan.
If there is no Will, but there is a bank account or property then it is necessary to apply for letters of administration.
If there are no financial assets or property there is nothing to be done.

How to obtain Probate

What is probate?
When someone dies somebody has to deal with their estate (the money, property and possessions left) by collecting all the money, paying any debts and distributing the estate to those entitled.
The probate Registry issues the document which is called a 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 Will) issued when there is a Will, but no executor named or unable to deal with the estate
• Letters of Administration issued when the deceased has not made a Will or it is not valid

Why is Grant necessary?
Organisations holding money in the deceased’s name need to know to whom the money is to be paid. The distribution of the estate is the responsibility of the person named on the deed.
A grant is sometime not needed if the deceased’s money will be released without the holder seeing a grant, & when the amount held is small and there are no complications.

Consult a Solicitor
In most circumstances, it is advisable for you to consult a Solicitor, to relieve you of worry and to take control of wills, problems of intestacy, outstanding debts, grants and letters of administration. A solicitor could save you a great deal of unnecessary trouble and eventually save you money. If the Solicitor has been consulted in the recent past it is important that you contact them without delay.
We can provide more information with upon request.