Death of a relative or friend
The Angel Lane Surgery would like to offer our deepest condolences for the loss of your loved one. We know sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do after the death of a relative.
There are three things that must be done in the first few days after death:
- Get a medical certificate from your GP.
The practice will endeavour to complete this as soon as possible for you. Sometimes, there can be a delay if the case is complicated and needs to be referred to a coroner or the GP who was looking after your loved one is absent. Alternative arrangements will need to be made in these cases and we will try to do this as quickly as possible and keep you updated at all times.
- Register the death within 5 days. You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral. Do not worry if there is a delay of over 5 days due to waiting to hear from the coroner, the death can still be registered without any issue.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements
Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner they must give permission before registering the death.
You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.
You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process.
For any support with bereavement then please speak to a GP at the practice. If you are not registered with us then please make an appointment to see your own GP.
Information packs
- How to prepare for the death of a relative or friend who is receiving End of Life Care (PDF, 92KB)
- What you need to do following the death of a friend or relative (PDF, 138KB)
- Where to go for Bereavement Support