When Someone Passes
When Someone Passes
When Someone Passes
Here at Dean Jones Funeral Service we are here to help and support you during these emotional times no matter day or night. Our service will always be personal, dignified and professional. We will always treat your loved ones as if they were our own. If you need our services or just want to talk about your options please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Important Initial Steps
As soon as possible and within the first 5 days you should do the following:
- Notify the deceased’s GP (if the GP did not certify the cause of death)
- Register the death and obtain official copies of the death certificate. You will need sufficient copies to send to various authorities.
- When you attend to register the death you can use the ‘Tell us once’ service. This let’s you notify pensions, benefits, DVLA, passport office etc
- Find their Will if they left one and contact the executor
- Arrange the funeral (taking into account any instructions in the Will)
Registering a Death
If the death occurred in West Sussex, you can book an appointment to register at any of the Registration Offices. Please call 01243 642122 or go online https://www.westsussex.gov.uk/births-ceremonies-and-deaths/deaths/register-a-death
Local Registrars
Littlehampton Registration Office
Littlehampton Library Maltravers Road, Littlehampton BN17 5NA
Worthing Reistration Office
Worthing Library Richmond Road, Worthing BN11 1HD
How to Register a Death
Information
Whilst we will explain fully the procedure involved in registering a death, unfortunately we cannot do this for you. However, if you are alone or simply unsure about what to do, we can accompany you to the Registrar’s office.
Registration should take place prior to the funeral. In the case of cremation, the death must be registered before the funeral can take place.
The duty to provide particulars to the Registrar rests principally with a relative of the deceased. If no relative is available then the duty may be performed by any person present at the death, the occupier of the premises where the death took place or the person accepting responsibility for arranging the funeral
Procedure
The procedure for registering a death is a straightforward question and answer interview conducted by the Registrar. The information required includes the following:
- Confirmation of the date and place of death
- The full name of the deceased (and the maiden name if the deceased was a married woman)
- The date and place of birth of the deceased
- The occupation of the deceased (and husband’s name and occupation if the deceased was a married woman or widow)
- The usual address of the deceased
- If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse
In addition, the following documents should be taken to the registrar’s office:-
- If applicable, the medical certificate of the cause of death (normally issued by the deceased’s doctor or by the hospital in which the death occurred)
- The deceased’s National Health Service medical card, if available
- The deceased’s birth certificate, if available
- The deceased’s marriage certificate (if appropriate)
In certain areas you may have to make an appointment with the Registrar, there is a charge for additional copies of the death certificate.
Local Authority and Government Contacts
- Local authority if they paid council tax/received social services help
- Department for Work and Pensions/Job Centre cancel any government benefit)
- Passport service (return passport
- DVLA (return driving licence)
- Department for Work and Pensions (Stop state pension)
Financial Contacts
- Banks/building societies
- Insurance companies
- Any companies which the deceased had hire purchase, loan or rental agreements with
- Pension providers
- Mortgage provider
- Credit card companies
Household and Utility Contacts
- Gas and electric companies
- Landlord if property is rented
- Royal mail to re-direct post/TV subscription companies
- Broadband provider
- Any agency providing home help
Arranging Probate
- If there is no Will seek advice as to who can administer the estate.
- There are various alternative ways to apply for probate and administer an estate.
