Types of cremations

What do we do when someone dies?

When someone dies, it’s a deeply emotional time for those left behind. Shock, grief, and practical arrangements all vie for attention amidst the overwhelming sense of loss. Memories flood in, evoking laughter, tears, and a longing for what once was.

In the days that follow, there’s a flurry of activity as loved ones navigate logistical tasks like notifying authorities and making funeral arrangements. Amidst the sorrow, there are moments of connection and support as friends and family come together to offer comfort.

At Moss Funeral Directors, we understand the weight of this responsibility. Our dedicated team is here to help and support you every step of the way. From guiding you through the practicalities of arranging a funeral to providing a compassionate ear during moments of grief, we are committed to easing the burden during this challenging time.

As time passes, the immediacy of grief may soften, but the absence of the departed remains. Birthdays, holidays, and milestones serve as poignant reminders, yet also opportunities to honor their memory and cherish the time shared.

Ultimately, the death of a loved one reminds us of life’s fragility and the importance of treasuring every moment. Through grief, there is also a chance for healing, growth, and the enduring power of love to shine through even the darkest times. And at Moss Funeral Directors, we’re here to walk this journey with you, offering support, guidance, and compassion every step of the way.

What to do when someone dies.

Register the death.

Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland) – this includes weekends and bank holidays.

You’ll get a ‘certificate for a burial’ to give to the funeral director, or an application for cremation which you need to complete and give to the crematorium.

You must do one of these before the funeral can take place.

What to do when someone dies

Check what to do when a death is reported to a coroner

If a death is reported to a coroner, the documents you need to register the death may be different. The coroner will decide either:

  • the cause of death is clear
  • that a post-mortem is needed
  • to hold an inquest

The cause of death is clear

If the coroner decides that the cause of death is clear:

  1. They’ll issue a certificate to the registrar saying that a post-mortem or inquest is not needed.
  2. The registrar will register the death.

A post-mortem is needed

The coroner may decide a post-mortem is needed to find out how the person died. This can be done either in a hospital or mortuary.

You cannot object to a coroner’s post-mortem – but if you’ve asked the coroner must tell you (and the person’s GP) when and where the examination will take place.

After the post-mortem

The coroner will release the body for a funeral once they have completed the post-mortem examinations and no further examinations are needed.

If the body is released with no inquest, the coroner will send a form (‘Pink Form – form 100B’) to the registrar stating the cause of death.

The coroner will also send a ‘Certificate of Coroner – form Cremation 6’ if the body is to be cremated.

The coroner holds an inquest

A coroner must hold an inquest if:

  • the cause of death is still unknown
  • the person might have died a violent or unnatural death
  • the person might have died in prison or police custody

Death certificates

If you need proof of the death while you wait for the inquest to finish, ask the coroner for an interim death certificate.

Once the inquest is over, you can get the final death certificate from the registrar.

You can use either certificate to:

Get help

You can get free, independent support from The Coroners’ Courts Support Service.

The Coroners’ Courts Support Service Helpline (England and Wales)
Telephone: 0300 111 2141
Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm
Saturday, 9am to 2pm
Find out about call charges

Check what to do if someone dies abroad

You must register a death with the local authorities in the country where the person died.

In many countries you can also register the death with the UK authorities.

These rules apply if you live in England and Wales. There are different processes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Reporting the death

The Tell Us Once service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

You can use Tell Us Once if the person who died:

  • normally lived in England, Scotland or Wales
  • was abroad temporarily (for example, on holiday or a business trip)

Contact a register office to use Tell Us Once. They will either:

  • complete the Tell Us Once service with you
  • give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself online or by phone

If you cannot use Tell Us Once, tell organisations about the death yourself.

Find out more about coping with a death abroad.

Bringing the body home

To bring the body home you must:

  • get a certified English translation of the death certificate
  • get permission to remove the body, issued by a coroner (or equivalent) in the country where the person died
  • tell a coroner in England if the death was violent or unnatural

Read information about the country where the person died to find out what you need to do.

Contact a register office

Once the body is home, take the death certificate to the register office in the area where the funeral is taking place.

As the death has already been registered abroad, the registrar will give you a ‘certificate of no liability to register’. Give this to the funeral director so the funeral can go ahead.

If you’re arranging the funeral yourself, give the certificate back to the registrar after the funeral’s taken place. You must do this within 96 hours of the funeral.

When a coroner will be involved

A coroner will usually hold an inquest in England or Wales if the cause of death is unknown or if it was sudden, violent or unnatural.

You need a certificate from the coroner (form ‘Cremation 6’) if the person is to be cremated.

Bringing ashes home

When leaving a country with human ashes you will normally need to show:

  • the death certificate
  • the certificate of cremation

Each country has its own rules about departing with human ashes and there may be additional requirements. Read information about the country where the person died to find out what you need to do. You’ll need to fill in a standard customs form when you arrive home.

Contact your airline to find out whether you can carry the ashes as hand luggage or as checked-in luggage. They may ask you to put the ashes in a non-metallic container so that they can be x-rayed.

You should not have the person cremated abroad if you want a coroner at home to conduct an inquest into their death.

What to do to Register a stillbirth

A stillbirth should be registered within 42 days.

Sometimes a stillbirth can be registered after 42 days – the register office can explain when this can happen. You can name the baby in the register.

Contact a register office to register the stillbirth.

In Scotland you must register a stillbirth within 21 days. In Northern Ireland you have up to 1 year to register a stillbirth.

Who can register the stillbirth

If the baby’s parents are married or in a civil partnership, either the mother or father can register.

The mother can register if:

  • the baby’s parents are not married or in a civil partnership
  • the father cannot be traced or is unknown

If the father registers the stillbirth and the parents are not married or in a civil partnership, the mother will need to make a ‘signed declaration’ (the register office can explain how to do this).

If both parents want the father’s name in the register and they are not married or in a civil partnership, the register office can tell you what you need to do.

If the child was conceived as a result of fertility treatment

The following people can register the stillbirth:

  • the mother
  • the father, if he was married to or in a civil partnership with the mother at the time of treatment
  • the second female parent, if she was married to or in a civil partnership with the mother at the time of treatment

If neither parent can register

The following people can register the stillbirth:

  • the occupier of the hospital or house where the stillbirth took place
  • someone who was present at the stillbirth
  • someone who is responsible for the stillborn child
  • the person who found the stillborn child, if the date and place of the stillbirth are unknown

What documents you need

The register office will tell you what documents you need.

You can arrange a funeral for your baby.

Financial support and taking time off work

Following a stillbirth, you’re normally entitled to:

You may be asked for evidence to get financial support depending on what you’re claiming. For example, this can be the notification for the registration of a stillbirth from the attending doctor or midwife, or a certificate of stillbirth from the registrar.

You will not be able to claim Child Benefit.

Support organisations

The following organisations give support and advice:

Check what to do to get a declaration of presumed death

Overview

You can make a claim for a ‘declaration of presumed death’ from the High Court if someone you know in England and Wales has been missing for:

  • 7 years or more
  • less than 7 years and you think they’ve died, for example they went missing during a natural disaster

A missing person is not automatically presumed dead.

You must make a claim for a declaration of presumed death if you want to do certain things, for example deal with their estate.

Who can make a claim

You can make a claim if you’re the missing person’s:

  • spouse or civil partner
  • parent
  • child
  • sibling

If none of these apply, you’ll need to prove to the court that you have enough of a connection to the missing person (‘sufficient interest’), for example you’re a distant relative and you have a birth certificate to prove it.

What else must be true to make a claim

To make a claim one or more of the following must also apply:

  • you’re the missing person’s spouse or civil partner and you treat England or Wales as your permanent home (‘domicile’) on the date you make the claim
  • you’re the missing person’s spouse or civil partner and you’ve been living in England or Wales for the whole year before the date you make the claim
  • the missing person treated England or Wales as their permanent home (‘domicile’) on the date they were last known to be alive
  • the missing person was living in England or Wales for the whole year before the date they were last known to be alive

There are different rules in Scotland and rules in Northern Ireland.

Fees

It costs £528 to get a declaration of presumed death. You may be able to get help paying court fees.

Make a claim for a declaration of presumed death

You can make a claim yourself or use a legal representative.

  1. Make your claim.
  2. Advertise your claim in a newspaper.
  3. Attend a hearing.

Arrange the funeral

Arrange the funeral

The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. You can pay for a funeral director to arrange the funeral or do it yourself.

You should check if the person who died had made arrangements for their funeral – this could include prepaid funeral plans or life insurance.

Funeral directors

If you hire a funeral director, choose a funeral director who’s a member of either:

These organisations have codes of practice – they should give you a price list when asked.

Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association and Institute of Civil Funerals can also help with non-religious funerals.

Arranging the funeral yourself

Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.

Funeral costs

Funeral costs can include:

  • funeral director fees
  • things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
  • local authority burial or cremation fees

Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quote. You can get quotes from several funeral directors to see what is available within your budget.

MoneyHelper has information about funeral costs and how to reduce them.

Paying for a funeral

The funeral can be paid for:

  • from a financial scheme the person had, for example a pre-paid funeral plan or insurance policy
  • by you, or other family members or friends
  • with money from the person’s estate (savings, for example) – getting access to this is called applying for a ‘grant of representation’ (sometimes called ‘applying for probate’)

You can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you have difficulty paying for the funeral.

Moving a body for a funeral abroad

You need permission from a coroner to move a body for a funeral abroad. Apply at least 4 days before you want the body to be moved.

Find a local coroner using the Coroners’ Society of England and Wales website.