When death occurs

When the worst happens it can be extremely overwhelming. We would like to provide you with some advice here on what to do when death occurs suddenly or as an expected event.

The most important thing is not to panic. Grief is a powerful emotion and can make us act in unpredictable ways. Please try to remain as calm as possible and remember not to rush into any hasty decisions. Some have quickly decided to get rid of certain items associated with their loved ones only to regret it later. We recommend that you leave such decisions until at least after the funeral.

There are just 3 things you must do in the first few days when someone dies:

1. Get a medical certificate from a GP or hospital doctor. You’ll need this to register the death.
2. Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You’ll then get the documents you need for the funeral. You can find out how to do this at https://www.gov.uk/register-a-death
3. Contact a funeral director. Please call us as soon as possible on 0161 339 3036 anytime day or night. Don’t worry, we will allow you time with your loved one to grieve. We also have facilities where relatives can view the deceased should they desire.

Note: You don’t need to deal with any will, money or property issues straight away.

We know what a difficult time this is so please be assured of our earnest desire to support you through the whole process. We are very experienced in such situations and want you to know you and your loved one are in very safe hands.

Support Organisations

The death of a loved one can be devastating. Bereavement affects people in different ways. There’s no right or wrong way to feel. Please find below some organisations that can help you to cope with the distress of losing someone in death.