A simple guide to what happens after someone dies, what we handle, and what you may need to do next.
If someone has just died
If the death was expected, the person may have been under the care of a GP, hospice nurse, district nurse or another healthcare professional.
You may need to contact the medical professional involved in their care so the death can be confirmed and the required medical paperwork can be started.
If the death was unexpected, sudden, accidental, or you are not sure what happened, call 111. Police or the Coroner may need to be involved before the person can be moved.
Once the death has been confirmed and the required steps are clear, you can contact a funeral director or cremation provider to arrange collection and care.
If you have already arranged a cremation online
1. First contact
You arrange online or call us
2. Confirmation
We confirm the details and explain what information is needed
3. Collection
We arrange collection from home, hospital, hospice, rest home or another care setting
4. Paperwork
We help organise the required documentation
5. Cremation
The cremation is arranged once the required paperwork is complete
6. Ashes returned
Ashes are returned to you once they are ready
What you need to do
- Have the person’s details ready if you can
- Let us know where the person is now
- Tell us who the main contact person is
- Share any important family or cultural requests
- Ask us if you are unsure.
What we handle
- Collection and transport
- Care while the person is with us
- Document guidance and coordination
- Cremation arrangements
- Return of ashes.
What happens after ashes are returned?
You can look through our website for more information and guides regarding planning a memorial and what that might look like for your family.
