Question 1

If Death Occurs at Home

Accepted Answer

If the death occurred at home you should contact your GP or Doctor on Call to report the death to them. The Doctor will then come to your home to verify the death and issue a death certificate. You can contact ourselves to let us know that the Doctor has been allowing us to convey your loved one to our funeral home. If the Doctor is unable to issue a death certificate they will contact the Coroner who will make the necessary arrangements for the deceased to be taken into their care.

Question 2

Death in professional care

Accepted Answer

If the death occurs in a hospital or nursing home or hospice, the staff there will help you with the procedures and liaise with the doctors who will issue the Death Certificate.

Question 3

Sudden or Unexpected Deaths

Accepted Answer

When someone has died unexpectedly or the doctor is not certain of the cause of death, the case will often be referred to the Coroner’s Office. This can happen if the deceased had not been seen by a doctor within 28 days of the death. It’s still a good idea to get in touch with the Funeral Director at an early stage. A provisional date can be booked for the funeral, we will also help with arrangements and liaise with the Coroner’s Office on your behalf.

Question 4

Death Abroad

Accepted Answer

If death occurs abroad, all the arrangements required to return your loved one home and arrangements for the funeral will be handled by our Funeral Director. They will liaise with the Funeral Director in the country the death occurred and if required, the British Consulate and any other agencies necessary.

Question 5

Making Funeral Arrangements

Accepted Answer

There are a number of tasks which must be completed in order for the legal requirements to be met and also to allow the funeral to take place. All of which are difficult to comprehend at a time when grief affects the emotions, this is when the experience and knowledge of professionals is vital and the role of the funeral director becomes essential

Question 6

Take time to consider the following:

Accepted Answer

Burial or cremation
Where do I want the funeral service from? Funeral home, family home, church, crematorium.
Who will conduct the service, minister, priest, pastor, family member, humanist celebrant?
Suitable music/ hymns
Floral tributes
Order of service booklets – photographs, poems etc
Nomination of a charity for donations

Question 7

Traditional Funeral Service

Accepted Answer

A death brings about change to us as individuals and also the local community. Change, without doubt is difficult and challenging. The funeral service is a way of providing mourners with a collective grieving experience, and to celebrate a life lived – it’s how we say good-bye. The funeral service serves as an acknowledgment of death, celebration of the life of an individual and is a means to bring grieving family members and friends together to support one another during this difficult time.
The basics include:

Visitation – paying respects and spending time before the funeral service
Funeral Service – commonly takes place at the funeral home, family home, church or graveside. Normally includes music, reading, a Eulogy, prayer, and singing of hymns.
Committal service – in the case of a burial the vehicle procession to the cemetery and a graveside committal.
Funeral Reception – many choose to host post-service gatherings with refreshments – a good time to share, remember and reflect with loved ones.

Question 8

Registering a Death

Accepted Answer

By law all deaths occurring in Northern Ireland must be registered in Northern Ireland. A death should be registered as soon as possible to allow further arrangements to be made but no later than five days from the date of occurrence except where the matter has been referred to the Coroner.

Question 9

What do you need in order to register a Death?

Accepted Answer

A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death issued by a Doctor who has treated the deceased within twenty-eight days before the date of death. If the deceased had not been seen by a doctor within that period or where the death was not caused by a natural illness the case would have been referred to the Coroner - the Registrar or Funeral Director will advise you.

Question 10

Death referred to Coroner

Accepted Answer

If a death has been referred to the Coroner, funeral arrangements should not be made before the consent of the Coroner has been obtained. The death can be registered and a death certificate issued only after the Registrar has received the necessary certificate from the Coroner. When the Registrar's office receives the appropriate form they will contact a relative of the deceased and ask them to call and register the death

Question 11

What does it cost to register a death?

Accepted Answer

There is no cost for registering a death. The only charge will be for the Death Certificate(s), if required. For deaths registered on or after 17th December 2012, there will be two types of certificates available. A full death certificate which/shows the cause of death and a short certificate which does not show the cause of death. Both types of certificate cost the same.

Please Note

Information collected on the registration is used for the preparation and supply of statistical information by the Registrar General. For purposes of detection and prevention of crime, information collected may also be passed on to other Government and approved organisations.

Once the death is registered, the Registrar will issue:

GRO 21 which gives permission for the burial or cremation to be carried out
36/BD8 for social security purposes if the deceased received a State Pension or other benefits
You will be able to purchase additional copies of the Death Certificate at this time. These will be needed by the executor or administrator who is taking care of the deceased’s affairs and will be needed for any pension claims, insurance policies or financial matters. We would normally advise purchasing at least three copies at the time of registration.

Question 12

Burial or Cremation

Accepted Answer

If you have chosen burial in a churchyard or cemetery, you can choose between using an existing grave or purchasing a new grave. If there is an existing grave you would like to use, any deeds or documentation relating to the grave will be needed for the burial to take place. The funeral service may take place in your own home, Church or our funeral home with a short committal service at the Cemetery.

Some churches have set fees for burials in their churchyards of which we can advise you. Cemetery costs are governed by the local authority which may change on an annual basis.

If cremation is your choice, we can assist in making sure all the necessary statutory requirements are fulfilled. We will organise the independent medical doctors to confirm cause of death and any additional paperwork.

The funeral service may take place in your own home, Church or our funeral home with a short committal service at the Crematorium. Alternatively, the entire service may be conducted in the Crematorium Church. Crematoria costs are governed by the local authority which may change on an annual basis.

You will also need to decide whether the ashes will be retained, scattered or buried. Scattering can be in a garden of remembrance or at a favourite spot. Burial in a family or new grave requires permission and a suitable memorial can be erected. We have a range of quality memorials available.

Question 13

Vehicles

Accepted Answer

Our funeral fleet includes a modern but traditional Hearse and Limousine, which can seat up to seven passengers. A Horse Drawn hearse can be arranged at your request

Question 14

Funeral Flowers

Accepted Answer

We know that flowers are an important way in helping to say goodbye to a loved one. We can offer you various designs, sizes and shapes that suit your wishes and we can try to meet your requests of favourite colours and types of flowers if they are available. We provide both fresh and silk flowers and our staff can help guide you on the best choice. Wreath cards will be provided and can be handwritten by yourself or printed by us with your own personal message.

Question 15

Our Funeral Home Facilities

Accepted Answer

Families have full use of our private funeral home with full church and private Resting rooms. We can facilitate images on screen along with music of your choice for the service. A recording of the funeral service can be offered along with live stream video coverage as an option. Our funeral homes have their own dedicated parking area and easy access.

Question 16

Help with Funeral Costs

Accepted Answer

Funerals can be an unexpected expense, and some people contribute to a payment plan to cover the cost of their funeral. If you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, you may be eligible for financial help.

The Department for Communities have set up a Bereavement Service - Free phone: 0800 085 2463.
You may contact this service to:-

Report a death to Social Security Agency
Check entitlement to bereavement benefits/ financial help
Make a claim for Bereavement Benefits
Make a claim for the Social Fund Funeral Payment

We are able to provide you with DfC leaflet. You can also find more details at nidirect.gov.uk.

When Death Occurs

Helping you celebrate A life lived

'Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted’ Matthew 5 v 4

Frequently Asked Questions