Losing someone is one of the most difficult things a person can experience and in the immediate hours that follow, you may find yourself needing to make decisions and take action.. This guide is clearly written, so that you can move through the first steps with some confidence, knowing what needs to happen and in what order.
There is no single right way to begin. Some families need a few hours before they are ready to make any calls. Others prefer to start moving through the practical steps as a way of coping. Both are completely normal. What follows is a guide to the necessary process.
Step 1: Who to call first
When someone dies at home, the first call is normally to the GP surgery. A doctor, or a suitably qualified person such as a registered nurse or paramedic, will need to attend to confirm the death. If this happens out of hours, follow the surgery’s pre-recorded instructions: they will direct you to the right service.
Once the death has been confirmed and permission given to move your loved one, you can call a funeral director. You do not need to do this immediately. If you need a few hours, or even until the following morning, that is entirely your choice. A good funeral director will come to you at any hour but will never rush you.
If a death occurs in a hospital or care home, the staff will manage the immediate process. The hospital’s bereavement office or the care home manager will guide you through the next steps. You simply need to let them know which funeral director you have chosen, and they will make contact on your behalf.
West & Coe is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. You can call us the moment you are ready, whether that is in the middle of the night or a week later. We will take it from there.
Step 2: Unexpected deaths and the coroner
When a death is sudden, the cause is unclear, or there are any circumstances that the doctor cannot explain, the death will be referred to the coroner. This can feel distressing, but in most cases the coroner’s involvement is a formality. An examination will usually confirm the cause of death, and the documentation needed to register the death will be issued by the coroner.
Occasionally, an inquest is required, particularly if the death was the result of an accident or an industrial disease. If this happens, the coroner’s office will keep you informed at every stage, and your funeral director will help you understand what is happening and what to expect. In most cases, the funeral can still go ahead while the inquest process is ongoing.
Step 3: The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
Before a death can be registered, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must be issued. Since 2024, all deaths in England and Wales are independently reviewed by a Medical Examiner, a senior doctor not involved in the person’s care, to ensure accuracy and transparency for families.
The process works as follows: the GP drafts the MCCD based on their knowledge of the patient’s medical history. The Medical Examiner then reviews it independently. Once satisfied, they will contact the next of kin, giving the family an opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns about the cause of death. The MCCD is then sent electronically to the Registrar, and you will be notified when you can book your appointment to register the death.
Step 4: Registering the death
By law, a death must be registered within five days in England and Wales, but this is not essential. This starts from the moment the Medical Examiner or coroner has completed their review and released the necessary paperwork, not from the date of death itself.
You must register at the Register Office in the district where the death occurred. Most offices require an appointment, which can usually be booked online or by phone. The registration is a straightforward interview with a Registrar, who will ask for details including full name, date and place of birth and death, last address, occupation and National Insurance number.
Register Office details for Essex and East London
- Barking & Dagenham Office – Woodlands House, Rainham Road North, Dagenham, RM10 7ER I 020 8270 4744
- Redbridge- Town Hall, 128-142 High Road, Ilford, IG1 1DD I 020 8554 5000 (Alternative/Direct line: 020 8708 7123)
- Havering Register Office — Langtons House, Billet Lane, Hornchurch, RM11 1XJ I 01708 433481
- Thurrock Register Office — Civic Offices, New Road, Grays RM17 6SL | 01375 652700
- Basilon Register Office – Basildon Library, St Martin’s Square, SS14 1EE I 0345 603 7632
- Tendring Register Office — Clacton Library, 96 Station Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1SF| 0345 603 7632 (Contact Essex)
For deaths in other areas, the gov.uk register office finder will identify the correct office. If you are unsure, please call us and we will help.
Step 5: What you receive at registration
When you register the death, you will receive:
- 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.
- The Green Form: This certificate allows the burial or cremation to proceed. It is usually sent directly to the funeral director by the registrar.
- . You will also be given a reference number for the Tell Us Once service.
Tell Us Once
Tell Us Once is a government service that allows you to report a death to multiple government departments in a single step, including HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Passport Office, the DVLA and local council services. The Registrar will offer you the service at your appointment and give you a unique reference number. You must use it within 28 days.
This service can save a family many hours of individual phone calls and correspondence, and we strongly encourage every family to use it.
Bereavement support in Essex and East London
The journey through loss doesn’t end once the funeral service is over; in many ways, the real process of healing begins in the quiet moments that follow. We understand that the weeks and months after a farewell can be just as difficult as the immediate period. Often, grief can arrive in full force once the initial practical demands have settled. Please know that you do not have to walk this path alone. If you find yourself struggling, our family is here to offer a listening ear and gentle guidance.
To support you in the days ahead, we have collaborated with leading expert Dr. Bill Webster to offer his insightful Grief booklet as a free resource. Please feel free to ask any member of our team for a copy.
Finding community support can make all the difference. We work closely with several local bereavement groups across Essex and East London, so please feel free to speak with a member of our team for details. National organisations are also available to help whenever you need them, including Cruse Bereavement Support, Mind, and the Samaritans. Please reach out to our family if you need support.
We are here whenever you need us
If you have any questions about what to do when someone dies, however small, however late, please call us. Our offices across Essex and East London are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We will answer, we will listen, and we will help you through every step.
Find your nearest West & Coe office