Leaflet 11 - When the Person You Care For Dies

The following is for general guidance only and should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.

If the death was expected…
Contact the doctor who attended the deceased during their final illness.

If the death was sudden or unexpected…
Contact the following: the GP, the deceased's nearest relative, the deceased's minister of religion, the police (who will help to find any of the people listed above, if necessary).

If the GP can certify the cause of death, he/she will give you a

• Medical Certificate - to show the cause of death, and a
  
• Formal Notice - stating that the GP has signed the Medical Certificate

Post-mortem
If the death was known to be caused by a natural illness, but doctors want to know more about the cause of death, they may ask the permission of relatives to carry out a post-mortem examination. This is a medical examination of the body which can find out more about the cause of death. It should not delay the funeral.

How to register a death
The death must be registered by the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths for the sub-district in which it occurred, within five days.

Contact Registrar Births, Deaths and Marriages, Civic Centre, Regent Street, Gateshead. NE8 1HH
Tel 0191 433 2208
Fax 0191 477 9978

What do I take with me?

• Medical Certificate
  
• The deceased's Medical Card (if possible)
  
• Their birth and marriage certificates (if available)

What do I tell the Registrar?

• The date and place of death
  
• The deceased's usual address
  
• Full first name and surname (including maiden name)
  
• Date and place of birth (town and/or county)
  
• Occupation of the deceased and their spouse
  
• Whether the deceased was getting a pension or allowance from public funds
  
• If married, the name and date of birth of the surviving spouse

The Registrar will give you

• Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the Green form), unless the Coroner has given you an Order for Burial or a Certificate for Cremation. It should be taken to the Funeral Director so that the funeral can take place
  
• Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8) - for social security purposes only
  
• Death Certificate - If you want a certificate, you will have to pay. You may need a Death Certificate for the will, and for any pension claims, insurance policies, savings bank certificates and premium bonds. You may want to get several copies straight away because the price increases if you request one later

Arranging the funeral
Do not make final funeral arrangements until you are sure that the death does not have to be reported to the Coroner, as this may affect the date when the funeral can be held.
Find out if there is a will, since this may give requests about the funeral arrangements.

If you arrange the funeral, you are responsible for paying the bill. Check where the money will come from and if there will be enough.

What to do if there is no will?
The person who deals with everything owned by the deceased is known as the Personal Representative (PR). (Also known as the Executor, if named in the will, or the Administrator, if there is no named Executor or no will).

The PR is responsible for paying all the deceased's debts, taxes and expenses, including funeral expenses. Payments come from the estate, not from the PR's own income or savings.

If there is no will, the PR distributes anything remaining, following rules that consider the rights of a spouse, children, parents and close blood relatives. For details

Contact District Probate Registry, 2nd Floor, Plummer House, Croft Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE1 6NP
Tel 0191 261 8383
Fax 0191 230 4868

Emotional support
Bereavement Helpline
Provides support and someone to talk to. They also have a drop-in bereavement support group on Thursday afternoons (1.30pm - 3.30pm) at Croftside Communal Room, Durham Road, Birtley.
Tel 0191 410 9911 (Mon - Fri, 10am - 4pm)

Newcastle and Gateshead Cruse Bereavement Care
Provides counselling and a support helpline.
Tel 0191 233 0420

Cruse National Bereavement helpline
Tel 0870 167 1677

Age Concern Bereavement Support Service Confidential support service in your own home. Offered to any person who is over the age of 50 and living in Gateshead. Contact Bereavement Support Co-ordinator at Age Concern.
Tel 0191 477 3559

Gateshead Carers Association
Members of Gateshead Carers Association, can remain a member for up to five years from the date they stop caring for a person. Some people find it upsetting to receive mail linked to their caring role. If this is the case, or you simply don't want to remain a member, please contact Gateshead Carers Association on 0191 490 0121 to be removed from the membership list.

Moving On Groups
Offer support to former carers and the opportunity to meet new people and get involved in new activities. Contact Gateshead Carers Association for further details.
Tel 0191 490 0121

Sources of information
Booklet D49, What to do after a death in England and Wales, available from your local Benefit Agency office.

Benefits advice
Benefits Enquiry Line Tel 0800 88 22 00
Citizens Advice Bureau Tel 0191 477 1392

Making a will
Age Concern Factsheet 7 'Making Your Will' is available from Gateshead Carers Association.

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