Someone has died
The following is simply intended as an initial step towards helping to inform your thinking and offer some reassurance. Understandably you’ll want more information, so just contact us in any way that suits you.
Where do I start?
We’re here to listen and support you, whether that’s through a relaxed chat over a cuppa or directly answering your questions and addressing your concerns by phone, email or social media. And the best part? We offer these services freely and without any obligation on your behalf to be involved with us further.
As an alternative starting point look through the following question and answer section, along with our Questions to ask a funeral director brochure. Then, if you have any queries just contact us and we’ll help in any way we can.
Telephone: 01670 708 188
E mail: info@fmnf.co.uk
Address: 365 Cowpen Road, Blyth NE24 5JW
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/forgetmenotfuneralservice/
Yes.
When a person dies at home, in a hospital, care home, nursing home, or hospice a doctor (Attending Practitioner) completes a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death form (MCCD).
The MCCD form is set to a Medical Examiner, who is a senior doctor and not involved in the care of the person who died. They:
- Check the proposed cause of death on the MCCD is correct; supported by the persons medical history and that it is clear.
- Contact you to discuss the cause of death and answer any questions or concerns you may have about the medical care or circumstances surrounding the persons death. You do not have to speak to them if you do not want to.
- Send the MCCD to the Registrars.
- At the same time the Medical Examiner’s office will contact you to say you can now register the persons death.
It is a legal document that states the date and place of death, age, occupation, final address and cause of death. It also has the name and relationship of the person (the informant) who tells the authorities the person has died.
A Death Certificate is required by many organisations including: banks, building societies, solicitors, pension and insurance companies.
By registering the person death at your local registrar’s office.
The Medical Examiner’s office will contact you to say you can now register the persons death. You must then make an appointment to go to a Register Office and register the death within five days (this includes weekends and bank holidays). In Northumberland you can call 0345 600 6400 or book online.
The government offers a good, clear step by step guide What to do when someone dies Please note, the funeral can only take place after you have registered the persons death.
You need a certified copy (not a photocopy) for each insurance, bank or pension company you’re dealing with.
A death certificate costs £12.50. Get a couple more copies than you think you will need when you first register the death as they cost more afterwards.
Tell us once service is a free government service that helps you let most government departments and local councils know when a person has died in one go, e.g., HMRC re tax and benefits, Passport Office, DVLA re driving licence, local authorities re council tax, blue badge etc.
The service does not cover, bank or building societies, private pension and insurance providers, or utility companies. You will have to contact them individually.
A post-mortem (sometimes referred to as an autopsy) is an examination of the physical body by a pathologist to establish the cause of death. The pathologist is likely to examine the major organs of the body and may take blood and/or tissue sample for analysis. Any samples removed from the body are governed by the Human Tissue Act and the next of kin will be consulted on when and whether these should be reunited with the body or appropriately and clinically disposed of.
No. The coroner has absolute authority over whether to hold a postmortem/ autopsy or not and has a responsibility to the public to establish cause of death.
Aside from religious beliefs, a burial or cremation usually occurs within two weeks of the person dying. It shouldn’t be delayed for more than six weeks unless there are exceptional circumstances.
We’re here to listen and support you, whether that’s through a relaxed chat over a cuppa or directly answering your questions and addressing your concerns by phone, email or social media. And the best part? We offer these services freely and without any obligation on your behalf to be involved with us further.
As an alternative starting point look through the following question and answer section, along with our Questions to ask a funeral director brochure. Then, if you have any queries just contact us and we’ll help in any way we can.
Telephone: 01670 708 188
E mail: info@fmnf.co.uk
Address: 365 Cowpen Road, Blyth NE24 5JW
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/forgetmenotfuneralservice/
Yes.
When someone dies, a doctor involved in their care (GP or Consultant) must fill in a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) explaining how and where the person died. They will tell you when they have completed it and either email it to the register office or give it to you to take when you register the persons death. Without this form the persons death cannot be registered.
It is a legal document that states the date and place of death, age, occupation, final address and cause of death. It also has the name and relationship of the person (the informant) who tells the authorities the person has died.
By registering the person death at your local registrar’s office.
Unless a Coroner is involved, you must register the person’s death within five days, this includes weekends and bank holidays. Most registrars Register Offices have an appointment system so it’s best to ring or email them first. The government offers a good, clear step by step guide What to do when someone dies along with the Natural Death Centre Charity.
Please note, the funeral can only take place after you have registered the persons death.
You need one certified copy (not a photocopy) for each insurance, bank or pension company you’re dealing with.
A death certificate costs between £8.00 and £12.00. Get a couple more copies than you think you will need when you first register the death as they cost more afterwards.
Tell us once service is a free government service that helps you let most government departments and local councils know when a person has died in one go, e.g., HMRC re tax and benefits, Passport Office, DVLA re driving licence, local authorities re council tax, blue badge etc.
The service does not cover, bank or building societies, private pension and insurance providers, or utility companies. You will have to contact them individually.
A post-mortem (sometimes referred to as an autopsy) is an examination of the physical body by a pathologist to establish the cause of death. The pathologist is likely to examine the major organs of the body and may take blood and/or tissue sample for analysis. Any samples removed from the body are governed by the Human Tissue Act and the next of kin will be consulted on when and whether these should be reunited with the body or appropriately and clinically disposed of.
No.
The coroner has absolute authority over whether to hold a post-mortem/ autopsy or not and has a responsibility to the public interest to establish cause of death.
Aside from religious beliefs, a burial or cremation usually occurs within two weeks of the person dying. It shouldn’t be delayed for more than six weeks unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Funeral arrangements
A funeral is the ceremony/ celebration that is held when someone has died.
No.
When someone dies, their body must be cremated or buried, but there doesn’t have to be a funeral before, during or after this occurs.
If you decide to have a funeral there are no rules as to how, where or when this happens. There is nothing to say you must hire a funeral director, have flowers or special vehicles. You’re in charge, so do things the way you want and that reflects the unique person who’s died.
How can I arrange a good funeral?
Your legal rights and responsibilities
Guide to planning a funeral
Taking care of yourself following a bereavement
It is a method that uses intense heat to reduce a body to ash.
The coffin is placed in a single person cremation chamber for 1 – 2.5 hours. When finished only small bone fragments and metal (e.g., hip/ knee replacement joints) remain. All the bone fragments are removed, cooled and ground to a grey/ white powder that feels soft like ashes, hence the name. It is your choice whether the ashes are returned to you or scattered by crematorium staff in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance. Any metal can also be returned to you or disposed of in accordance with the directions of the Cremation Authority.
Burial, also known as interment or inhumation, is when a dead body is placed into the ground.
There is a wide choice of places to be buried from your own garden, to private land; from natural burial grounds to church yards and cemeteries’.
Yes.
There is an assumption that you will want to use a funeral director, but you don’t have to. You can have a home based funeral. People may be amazed, try to dissuade you, disapprove or tell you it’s against the law, put them right it’s not! Tell them you are the funeral director. We’ll offer practical support and guidance throughout and drop in whenever you want to check that all is well.
Choosing a coffin is probably not something you have ever given much thought to, if any and it can feel surreal. There is a huge range, so think about the cost, the style, the materials used, and if they reflect the personality and taste of the person who has died? We can provide any coffin you would like. Alternatively, you can buy direct but ask us before you do, as we may be able to get it at a lower price. Or you can make one and we can help with this too.
A hearse is any vehicle that can accommodate a coffin and take it to the funeral. If you are having a funeral procession also known as a cortège, the hearse leads the procession. There is an extensive range of hearses from traditional to contemporary that may better reflect the person’s attitude, passions and or hobbies for you to choose from. These include bicycle, VW camper van, Morris Minor van, Citroen Type H van. Alternatively, you can use a suitable vehicle of your own, or borrow one from family or friends.
No.
A limousine is a large luxury vehicle that follows the hearse in the funeral cortège/ procession. Six people can sit together in the back and one person in the front. Alternatively, you, family and friends can simply follow the hearse in your own vehicles or hire taxi’s.
No.
A lovely, simple, and personal alternative is to pick flowers from your garden and or that of family and friends. You can then make them into relaxed bunches or keep them as single flowers to place on the coffin. Alternatively, if the person grew vegetables use those, or if they liked being by the sea place driftwood on the coffin, a flag from their regiment, football club or country. A photograph, toy or nothing at all. Really, it’s whatever has meaning to the person who’s died and or you.
It is a printed guide to the service. You don’t need to have them, or you can make them yourself Canva. Usually, it includes photographs and details of the person, and the songs, music, hymns, poems, readings or anything else that will be happening. It can reassurance people attending as they know what to expect. If applicable, it can also include where to go after the service and how to donate in memory of the person.
A funeral/death notice is a brief statement that announces someone’s death, when and where their funeral is occurring. You can also include whether it is a private burial/ cremation or everyone is welcome, if black, colourful clothing or a splash of colour e.g., scarf, tie is to be worn, if flowers or donations are preferred, if there is a wake or reception afterwards and the time and location of this and who they have left behind with words such as ‘loving husband of…’ or ‘will be much missed by…’, The funeral/death notice is usually placed in the family notice section towards the back of local newspapers. Remember it is not legally required.
An obituary has the same information, plus facts, stories, and anecdotes to help honor the person’s memory. It is therefore longer, can include photographs and usually appears nearer the middle of the newspaper.
Contact the newspaper by phone or online.
You can call the Newcastle Chronicle and Journal on 03444 060 276 to place your notice and staff will talk you through every step. Or you can place your notice online via https://funeral-notices.co.uk.
Alternatively, we can do it for you.
When you want it to, so long as the place, date and time you want is available.
Yes.
It can be family and or friends, a faith leader, a humanist or civil celebrant. A humanist service is a non-religious ceremony, whereas a service lead by a civil celebrant can have as much or as little religious content as you want.
We have a range of people for you to choose from, or you may know someone yourself. Alternatively, you, your family and or friends can arrange and deliver the service, with us offering help and practical support throughout. If several people are speaking, playing a musical instrument and or singing it’s a good idea that someone is leading the service to ensure it goes to plan.
The one you want.
A funeral is the ceremony/ celebration that is held when someone has died.
Funeral costs
Definitely.
Costs vary hugely between funeral homes. A quick comparison can be done by looking at their Standardised Price List on their website and in their premises. The list will include the:
- Total price of a funeral.
- Price of individual items included in the funeral.
- Price of certain additional products and services.
Once you know what you want get three written quotes. We have created a List of questions to ask a funeral director given our answers and left space for those from two other companies. This again will enable you to compare prices and seek clarification
It depends on what you chose e.g., a cremation costs less than a burial. A simple/direct cremation (where there is no funeral service) costs less than one where a funeral service takes place at the same time. The type of coffin and transport you choose, the length of the funeral service, where it takes place and who conducts it also impacts on the cost.
Our price for a cremation starts at £1345.00 simple cremation to £2945.00 Time honoured
The cremation fee is paid directly to the local authority or crematorium. The fee covers the cost of
a) the Medical referee whose role is to check the persons death has been properly registered, the cause of death has been established and the documentation is correct and
b) of operating the crematorium which includes a reduction of mercury emissions charge.
Yes.
In certain circumstances you can get help towards funeral costs. The government offers comprehensive funeral payments information while Down To Earth provides practical support and excellent guides. For both services we strongly recommend you view their sites before the funeral has taken place. In addition, we can help with information and advice, including contacting charities associated with the industry, service or profession the person was connected with and online fundraising.
Funeral payments information
Practical support for people struggling with funeral costs
Yes.
A funeral plan is a way of paying for products and services in advance, allowing you to organise exactly what you want and controlling costs.
Definitely.
Costs vary hugely between funeral homes. A quick comparison can be done by looking at their Standardised Price List on their website and in their premises. The list will include the:
- Total price of a funeral.
- Price of individual items included in the funeral.
- Price of certain additional products and services.
Once you know what you want get three written quotes. We have created a List of questions to ask a funeral director given our answers and left space for those from two other companies. This again will enable you to compare prices and seek clarification
It depends on what you chose e.g., a cremation costs less than a burial. A simple/direct cremation (where there is no funeral service) costs less than one where a funeral service takes place at the same time. The type of coffin and transport you choose, the length of the funeral service, where it takes place and who conducts it also impacts on the cost.
Our price for a cremation starts at £1545.00 £1345.00 simple cremation to £2945.00 Time honoured
Yes.
In certain circumstances you can get help towards funeral costs. The government offers comprehensive funeral payments information while Down To Earth provides practical support and excellent guides. For both services we strongly recommend you view their sites before the funeral has taken place. In addition, we can help with information and advice, including contacting charities associated with the industry, service or profession the person was connected with and online fundraising.
Funeral payments information
Practical support for people struggling with funeral costs
Yes.
A funeral plan is a way of paying for products and services in advance, allowing you to organise exactly what you want and controlling costs.
Leading up to the funeral
We collect the person from the place where they have died, be it their home, hospital or residential/nursing home in our bespoke vehicle. When we arrive at our home we immediately record the persons name, where and when they died and where we have collected them from. We then wash and dress the person in clothes family/ friends have brought in or a shroud, before placing them in their coffin.
Yes.
As part of our focus on choice we always ask family/friends if they would like to help wash, dress, style the person’s hair and or paint their nails.
Embalming, sometimes referred to as ‘hygienic preparation’ or ‘preservation’ aims to slow down but not stop decomposition by draining and replacing bodily fluids with chemicals. It is an invasive procedure and there is no rule to say it must be done.
The person usually stays in one of our Reflection rooms (Chapels of Rest) Here you can spend as much time as you want; sit with a cup of tea listening to music on Alexa; talk to person or simply sit quietly together.
NB We care for people from all religions and none, so we refer to these areas as Reflection rooms rather than Chapels of Rest.
Yes.
You choose whether you see the person whose died or not. On rare occasions you may be advised not to view the person because of their injuries or decomposition. No professional however, can legally prevent you from viewing or visiting unless, in the case of a funeral home, you do not have permission from the person paying for the funeral.
Yes.
Within reason you can put anything in the coffin, but some items may need to be removed depending on the type of funeral. If it is a traditional burial, you can put anything in the coffin. If it is a woodland burial items must be made of something that will break down and become part of the soil in time. If it is cremation restrictions include items with batteries e.g., mobile phones, TV remotes, e-cigarettes; bottles or jars made of glass or plastic and combustible materials e.g., alcohol and lighters.
The day of the funeral
Whatever you have decided.
In terms of the actual cremation the coffin with the person inside is placed into a cremator heated to about 900°C, this is called ‘charging’. At some crematoriums you can watch this if you want. Between one and three hours later the cremation is complete. Once the bones and ashes are cool, they are collected and placed in a cremulator. This machine reduces any remaining bone fragments into ash which is collected and either returned to you or scattered in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance.
Whatever you have decided.
In terms of the actual burial the coffin will be gently lowered into a pre dug hole called a grave in a cemetery or woodland burial ground. You, family and friends can then throw a small amount of earth in. The grave will then be filled with more earth. If you want after about six months a memorial stone/gravestone can be erected.
The term ‘pallbearer’ is used to signify someone who ‘bears’ the coffin with the ‘pall’ – a heavy cloth, that in the past was draped over the coffin. Usually, four or six people carry and if you, family and friends want to do this, that’s great. We’ll be there too, offering guidance, practical support and encouragement. Alternatively, it can be a blend of yourselves and us or just us. It really is what ever you want.
Whoever you want.
You, another family member, a friend or a funeral director can lead the service. Whoever it is, their role is to ensure the service happens as you planned it.
As long as you want it to be.
If the service is at a crematorium a total of 45 minutes is usually allocated. Within this 20 – 25 minutes is normally for the actual service, the remaining time is for you, friends and family to arrive, be seated and for everyone to leave. This time can be extended to 90 minutes at an additional cost. If the service is in a faith building the time spent will depend on the content of the service and associated cultural traditions. If it occurs at home, in a pub, village hall or outside it can be as long or short as you want with the agreement of the owner.
Whatever you want.
You can simply thank people for attending or not, before leaving to do what you want. You can arrange to meet people wherever you want e.g., at home, in a pub, restaurant, hall, on the beach etc., (sometimes called a wake). This enables you, family and friends to socialise and continue celebrating the life of the person who has died.
Whatever you have decided.
In terms of the actual cremation the coffin with the person inside is placed into a cremator heated to about 900°C, this is called ‘charging’. At some crematoriums you can watch this if you want. Between one and three hours later the cremation is complete. Once the bones and ashes are cool, they are collected and placed in a cremulator. This machine reduces any remaining bone fragments into ash which is collected and either returned to you or scattered in the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance.
Whatever you have decided.
In terms of the actual burial the coffin will be gently lowered into a pre dug hole called a grave in a cemetery or woodland burial ground. You, family and friends can then throw a small amount of earth in. The grave will then be filled with more earth. If you want after about six months a memorial stone/gravestone can be erected.
The term ‘pallbearer’ is used to signify someone who ‘bears’ the coffin with the ‘pall’ – a heavy cloth, that in the past was draped over the coffin. Usually, four or six people carry and if you, family and friends want to do this, that’s great. We’ll be there too, offering guidance, practical support and encouragement. Alternatively, it can be a blend of yourselves and us or just us. It really is what ever you want.
Whoever you want.
You, another family member, friend or a funeral director can lead the service. Whoever it is, their role is to ensure the service happens as you planned it.
As long as you want it to be.
If the service is at a crematorium a total of 45 minutes is usually allocated. Within this 20 – 25 minutes is normally for the actual service, the remaining time is for you, friends and family to arrive, be seated and for everyone to leave. This time can be extended to 90 minutes at an additional cost. If the service is in a faith building the time spent will depend on the content of the service and associated cultural traditions. If it occurs at home, in a pub, village hall or outside it can be as long or short as you want with the agreement of the owner.
Whatever you want.
You can simply thank people for attending or not, before leaving to do what you want. You can arrange to meet people wherever you want e.g., at home, in a pub, restaurant, hall, on the beach etc., (sometimes called a wake). This enables you, family and friends to socialise and celebrate the life of the person who has died.
After the funeral
We will collect the persons ashes from the crematorium within a few days of the cremation and return them to you or you can collect them from us.
Just about anything you can imagine.
You can scatter a person’s ashes almost anywhere with the landowner’s permission. If you scatter ashes across surface water, you should:
- make sure the effect on the environment and wildlife is minimal and will not affect other watercourse users
- not throw wreaths or memorabilia as they may harm the environment and wildlife.
NB You can also incorporate some of their ashes into a vinyl record, a, diamond, jewellery, a tattoo, cuddly toy or fireworks. You can send their ashes into space, incorporate into a reef, keep them in a container in a special place e.g., your home, garden, in a woodland burial ground or cemetery. The options are endless.
Usually, six months after the burial. This gives the ground time to settle and if necessary, more earth added to level the grave with the surrounding area.
A memorial is any object which serves as a focus of the person who has died. Memorials come in all shapes, sizes, and materials. They can be traditional – headstones and statues, plaques, or an entry in the ‘Book of Remembrance’ at a crematorium. While contemporary memorials include, public or private benches, planting a tree or flowers.
A keepsake is often something small and discrete. It can be a charm with words, finger or palm prints on. It can be jewellery containing the persons ashes or hair. It can also be funeral flowers preserved in resin and made into a paperweight. Alternatively, it can be a handcrafted wood or resin keyring with a secret compartment for holding ashes, a lock of hair, a handwritten note or soil from the grave site. The choice is endless, and the ideas are only limited by your imagination.
- make sure the effect on the environment and wildlife is minimal and not affect other watercourse users
- not include casting wreaths or memorabilia as they may harm the environment and wildlife
Other things
Easy read is a way of presenting written information to make it easier to understand for people with difficulty reading. Ideas are expressed in a small number of simple words and supported by pictures.
Macmillan have a range of easy read books about death, dying and bereavement, so does Marie Curie and Child Bereavement