In the event of a death

If someone dies at home

• Phone the doctor and they will visit to confirm that the person is dead.
• The doctor will issue a death certificate or tell you where and when you can collect the certificate.
• Tell the doctor (if you can) whether the person wanted to be cremated or buried.
• Contact the funeral director and they will visit, discuss arrangements and take the person's body away.

If someone dies in hospital

• Contact the funeral director as soon as you can to give them details about the person who has died, when they can collect the body and so on.
• Phone the hospital administrator to arrange collection of the death certificate.
• Tell the administrator (if you can) whether the person wanted to be cremated or buried.

If the death is sudden or as a result of an accident

• If the person died at home, phone the doctor and they will confirm that they person is dead.
• The doctor will automatically contact the local police or coroner's office.
• The police officer will need to contact a funeral director, he or she will ask if you have chosen one and, if not, the police will ca;; the duty funeral director. Please remember that the duty funeral director is acting for the coroner at this time, and that the final choice is yours.
• Contact the funeral director of your choice as soon as you can for further advice and to make arrangements.

What to do next

• Make an appointment to take the death certificate to the registrar's office. Date of death, place of death, last full-time occupation, will be required.
  
  
  • The Register Office
    Walsall Council
    Civic Centre
    Hatherton Road
    Walsall 
    WS1 1TN

    Telephone 01922 652267 or 01922 652275
    Email walsallregisteroffice@walsall.gov.uk
    
    Further information can be found at:

  • www.walsall.gov.uk/registration_of_deaths

• After collecting the “green” form from the registrar, take it to the funeral director to arrange for them to arrange a home visit. They will take over responsibility for arranging the funeral.
• Following a death reported to the coroner, contact the funeral director as soon as possible. Do not wait for a death certificate to be issued. If you have any problems, a funeral director will usually be able to answer them. for you.

Funeral details will be mentioned in any last will and testament the deceased has left.