When a death occurs
Everything You need to know
From the moment you instruct our family to look after yours, you have our full attention. We aim to take as much of the stress and pressure away from you as possible.
We will guide and advise you, every step of the way, ensuring that we facilitate the perfect farewell and celebration of your loved ones life.
We will invite you to our warm, welcoming funeral home to discuss the funeral arrangements over a cup of tea or coffee. Alternatively, we will visit you at your home if you would prefer.
Whatever we can do to help make this already difficult and distressing time as seamless as possible, we will.
Once we have discussed your loved ones wishes, we will begin to put those wishes into place and keep in touch with you every step of the way.
Passing away at Home
Contact the GP or healthcare professional responsible for your loved one’s care so they can arrange for the death to be verified.
Once the death has been verified, please contact Hartys of Chester. We will arrange to discreetly bring your loved one into our care with dignity and respect.
Once the death has been verified, please contact Hartys of Chester. We will arrange to discreetly bring your loved one into our care with dignity and respect.
Passing away at a Care Home or Hospice
Inform the care home or hospice that Hartys of Chester will be looking after the funeral arrangements. The care team will arrange for your loved one’s death to be verified and then call us.
Once this has taken place, we will arrange to bring your loved one in to our care.
Once this has taken place, we will arrange to bring your loved one in to our care.
Passing away at hospital
The hospital bereavement team will guide you through the initial steps and ensure the necessary paperwork is completed.
Your loved one will remain in the care of the hospital until arrangements are made for us to bring them into our care, please inform the bereavement team that Hartys of Chester are taking care of the funeral arrangements.
The doctor responsible for your loved one’s care in hospital will complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it to the Medical Examiner for review.
Once the medical examiner confirms the cause of death, we will then attend the hospital and bring your loved one into our care.
We will call you to inform you when they are resting safely with us.
Your loved one will remain in the care of the hospital until arrangements are made for us to bring them into our care, please inform the bereavement team that Hartys of Chester are taking care of the funeral arrangements.
The doctor responsible for your loved one’s care in hospital will complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it to the Medical Examiner for review.
Once the medical examiner confirms the cause of death, we will then attend the hospital and bring your loved one into our care.
We will call you to inform you when they are resting safely with us.
His Majesty’s Coroner
If the cause of death is unknown, unexpected, or the death occurred in certain circumstances, it may need to be referred to the Coroner.
The Coroner is an independent judicial office holder who investigates certain deaths to establish who has died, and how, when and where they died.
If a death is referred to the Coroner:
– The Coroner may decide that the GP or hospital doctor can still issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), allowing the normal registration process to continue.
– The Coroner may request additional information or arrange a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
– In some cases, the Coroner may open an inquest. This does not necessarily mean there are suspicious circumstances; an inquest is simply a formal fact-finding investigation.
If the Coroner is involved, there may be a short delay before the funeral can be arranged.
We will keep you informed throughout the process and offer guidance every step of the way, so please do call us at anytime.
The Coroner is an independent judicial office holder who investigates certain deaths to establish who has died, and how, when and where they died.
If a death is referred to the Coroner:
– The Coroner may decide that the GP or hospital doctor can still issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), allowing the normal registration process to continue.
– The Coroner may request additional information or arrange a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
– In some cases, the Coroner may open an inquest. This does not necessarily mean there are suspicious circumstances; an inquest is simply a formal fact-finding investigation.
If the Coroner is involved, there may be a short delay before the funeral can be arranged.
We will keep you informed throughout the process and offer guidance every step of the way, so please do call us at anytime.
What happens after instructing us?
We completely understand and appreciate that making that first phone call to us, to inform us of the passing of your loved one is an extremely difficult thing to do.
We are here to offer support to you with patience, respect, and consideration.
Below are some examples of what happens in the first instance when you instruct our family to look after your loved one. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call us, anytime.
We are here to offer support to you with patience, respect, and consideration.
Below are some examples of what happens in the first instance when you instruct our family to look after your loved one. If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to call us, anytime.
Instructing Hartys of Chester
From the moment you instruct our family to look after yours, you have our full attention. We aim to take as much of the stress and pressure away from you as possible. We will guide and advise you, every step of the way, ensuring that we facilitate the perfect farewell and celebration of your loved ones life.
We will invite you to our warm, welcoming funeral home to discuss the funeral arrangements over a cup of tea or coffee. Alternatively, we will visit you at your home if you would prefer.
Whatever we can do to help make this already difficult and distressing time as seamless as possible, we will.
Once we have discussed your loved ones wishes, we will begin to put those wishes into place and keep in touch with you every step of the way.
We will invite you to our warm, welcoming funeral home to discuss the funeral arrangements over a cup of tea or coffee. Alternatively, we will visit you at your home if you would prefer.
Whatever we can do to help make this already difficult and distressing time as seamless as possible, we will.
Once we have discussed your loved ones wishes, we will begin to put those wishes into place and keep in touch with you every step of the way.
Registering the passing of a loved one
When you have received notification that the medical certificate has been prepared and sent to the Registrar’s office, you can then make an appointment to register their passing. You can do this over the telephone by calling 0300 123 7037 or online by clicking here
Where can I register?
If your loved one passed away within Cheshire West and Cheshire then you can register at the below registry office:
Merchants Suite, Crook St, Chester CH1 2BE
Parking:
Hamilton Place – Designated disabled parking bays – Hamilton Place, Chester, CH1 2BH
Trinity Street – Trinity Street, Chester, CH1 2BD
Merchants Suite, Crook St, Chester CH1 2BE
Parking:
Hamilton Place – Designated disabled parking bays – Hamilton Place, Chester, CH1 2BH
Trinity Street – Trinity Street, Chester, CH1 2BD
When should I register?
Only when you have received notification that the medical examiner has completed their review.
Who can Register?
Usually, the deceased’s next of kin is the one who register’s their death however if this is not possible then alternatively the death can be registered by:
A person present when the deceased passed away
A person making arrangements with Hartys of Chester family funeral directors
A person present when the deceased passed away
A person making arrangements with Hartys of Chester family funeral directors
What will the Registrar issue?
Once the registration has been completed, you will be issued with:
– A green form, known as ‘The Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation’ – Please bring this form to us at Hartys of Chester.
– A ‘Tell us Once’ reference number – This enables you to inform all relevant agencies relating to the Government that your loved one has passed away, such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (D.V.L.A) and the Department for Work and Pensions (D.W.P) https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
You may also purchase an official copy of the death certificate. The cost is £12.50 per copy. Hartys of Chester do not require a copy of the death certificate.
– A green form, known as ‘The Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation’ – Please bring this form to us at Hartys of Chester.
– A ‘Tell us Once’ reference number – This enables you to inform all relevant agencies relating to the Government that your loved one has passed away, such as the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (D.V.L.A) and the Department for Work and Pensions (D.W.P) https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once
You may also purchase an official copy of the death certificate. The cost is £12.50 per copy. Hartys of Chester do not require a copy of the death certificate.
His Majesty’s Coroner has opened or adjourned an inquest
In some cases, where His Majesty’s Coroner has opened or adjourned an inquest into the passing of your loved one, you are not required to attend the Registrar’s office prior to the funeral taking place.
We can guide you when it comes to relevant documentation and what is required from you.
We can guide you when it comes to relevant documentation and what is required from you.
Our Family provide only the best for your family
We are available to support you and your family 24/7 365 days a year. Contact us today or for immediate assistance please telephone 01244 421 214