Mark Skinner Funeral Service -

Help is just a phone call away

When someone dies, it can be hard to think straight. Add to that all the decisions you need to make about the funeral and it can feel overwhelming. Just remember, call us any time and we’ll help you decide what to do for the best, at every step. Our number one priority is you.

We’ve been looking after bereaved families in our community for many years. So when you make that call, there’ll be a friendly, experienced person on the other end who understands just what you need, and when.

When Someone Dies at Home

or First things first

Even if it was expected, a death at home can be very upsetting.

It’s perfectly ok to take a moment to yourself before you do anything else. Or you might want to ask a close friend or family member to be with you.

When you feel ready, follow the steps below. Remember, if you’re unsure about anything, just give us a call.

If the death was expected:

Step 1 – Call the doctor (the GP)

First you need to call the deceased person’s GP.

If you call during surgery hours, the GP will normally come to the house to certify the death and issue a death certificate giving the cause of death (officially called the Medical Certificate of Death).

If you call out of normal surgery hours, an out-of-hours doctor or qualified medical practitioner (district nurse) will visit the house but the certificate will be issued later, when the surgery re-opens.

Usually this certificate will be sent electronically to your local registrars office, we are more than happy to assist in making an appointment for you to attend your local registrars office, as you will need to attend to register the death.

If the death was unexpected (or the deceased hasn’t seen their GP in the past 14 days):

Step 1 – Call an ambulance

Call an ambulance. (A doctor can’t issue a certificate if they’re unsure of the cause of death. In this case, you need a coroner to establish the cause of death.) The deceased will be taken to the Coroner’s mortuary where a post mortem may be carried out.

Once the death is officially confirmed:

Step 2 – Call us.

We’ll talk you through what happens next and the first decisions you need to make.

Please remember you can call us at any time before this point, if you want some extra support or guidance while the cause of death is confirmed.

When Someone Dies in Hospital

What happens

When someone dies in hospital, the deceased will not be released into our care until the necessary paperwork is completed. Some hospitals have a chapel of rest. This is a peaceful place, away from the bustle of the hospital.

What you need to do

You’ll need a Medical Certificate of Death (death certificate) from the attending doctor. Bear in mind that this may take a while. Doctors work in shift patterns and you may need to wait for the same doctor to be back at work.
The Certificates are usually organised by the hospital's bereavement office and it is our usual practice to liaise with this department on your behalf. Since 2023 all medical cause of death certificates have to be approved by a medical examiner and once this has been done they will be electronically sent to your local registrars office. At this point, you are able to make an appointment to visit the registrar (please call us if you need assistance), as you will need to attend to register the death.
If there are any personal items belonging to the deceased at the hospital, we will collect and return these to you, as the hospital no longer allow you to visit to do this.
Give us a call so we can talk you through the first steps towards arranging the funeral and bringing the deceased into our care.

What the hospital needs to know

The hospital will ask you:

For our details (as the named funeral director).
Whether the funeral will be burial or cremation

If you decide on a burial, the deceased will be released into our care as soon as we receive hospital authorisation.

If you decide on cremation, there will be some extra paperwork that the hospital will need to complete before they will release the deceased into our care.

When Someone from Overseas Dies in this Country

When someone from overseas dies in this country it’s likely their family will want the funeral to take place in their home country. Returning the deceased to their home country can be a complex process.

Depending on where they’re from, there will be different kinds of paperwork for you to complete. You’ll have to deal with their consular office as well as the coroner.

We’re experienced in these situations and can give you step-by-step help and advice. Often the best thing to do is call us and we’ll take care of everything for you.

If a UK Citizen Dies Overseas

If your relative or friend dies while they are overseas, get in touch with us straight away. We’ll take care of everything and arrange for them to be brought back home as soon as possible.

Bringing the deceased back home (repatriation) can be an involved process but we’ll make sure all the appropriate paperwork is completed, including:

A Death Certificate registering the death according to the local regulations (or an authorisation to repatriate the deceased)
An authenticated translation of the death certificate, showing cause of death
Certificate of No Liability to Register (from the Registrar in England and Wales)

If you decide on a cremation we’ll also arrange:

A cremation order from the Home Office or a Certificate ‘E’ (Form 102) from the Coroner
Application for cremation, Form A
All original documentation from the country where death occurred
Translation of documents if necessary

Registering the Death

You probably won’t feel like tackling administration tasks right away, however you do need to register the death within 5 days.

It’s fairly straightforward if you live in the same district where the death took place. You will need an appointment at your local office of Registration, Births, Deaths and Marriages. We will be happy to do this on your behalf.

If you live in another district, you can go to your local registrar who will pass the information onto the registrar in the district where the death took place. If you register the death that way, you won’t be able to get the Certified Copies of Entry of Death straight away.

Remember, you won't be able to register until you have received the Medical Certificate.

If the death has been referred to the coroner, the procedure is slightly different; give us a call and we’ll let you know what to do.

Who Can Register the Death

Only certain people can register the death

A relative of the deceased who was present at the time of death
A relative of the deceased who was with them during the last illness
A relative of the deceased who lives in the same district
Any person present at the death
The occupier e.g. Matron or Officer in Charge of a nursing home, rest home or public institution, provided they knew of the illness prior to death
The person responsible for giving instructions for the funeral e.g. executor, solicitor or similar
You must have the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (this is issued by the doctor who attended the deceased during their last illness).
It’s a good idea to take the deceased’s medical card, which contains their NHS number
Birth and marriage certificates (if available)

What You Will Need to Take

What you need to show the registrar

The Registrar must have received the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (this is issued by the doctor who attended the deceased during their last illness).
It’s a good idea to take the deceased’s medical card, which contains their NHS number
Birth and marriage certificates (if available)
ID to prove who you are

What the registrar will need to know

The date and place of death
The full name of the deceased (and maiden name for a married woman)
The usual address of the deceased
The date and place of birth of the deceased
The last occupation of the deceased (and name and occupation of husband, if applicable)
Details of any pension or allowance from public funds.
If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving spouse

What the Registrar Will Issue

The registrar will then give you (free of charge) the following:

A green certificate called ‘The Registrar’s Certificate for Burial or Cremation’ (this enables the funeral to proceed)
A white form for the Benefits Agency called ‘The Certificate of Registration’

On the back of the white form there are a number of questions. If the answer to any of the questions is ‘yes’, you’ll need to complete the form and return it to the local DWP Office (with the relevant pension or allowance book) so they can deal with any outstanding benefits. Many Registrars now offer a 'Tell Us Once' service and are able to notify a number of central and local Government departments.

At a cost of £12.50 each, the registrar will also issue the Certified Copy of Entry of Death – four copies are normally enough to give to banks, insurers etc.

Registrar Details

To register the death, you can go to your local registrar, even if the death occurred in a different district (as registration of death can now be done by declaration for people who have died in other areas). Remember, before you go to the registrar, you’ll need the death certificate.

You will need an appointment to see the registrar, which we are happy to make for you, or you can either give them a call in advance to arrange a time or follow the link to book online.

Bury St Edmunds Registrar

7 Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1UZ

Telephone: 0345 607 2060

To book online:

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies/contact-a-register-office/

Thetford Registrar

Thetford Library, Raymond Street, Thetford, IP24 2EA

Telephone: 0344 8008020