Most people expect to be very upset or distressed when someone close to them has died. What takes many people by surprise is how strong the emotions can be, how they can change very quickly, and how long they last. People around you may seem to think you should be ‘back to normal’ after a few weeks or months. You might appear to be your usual self to other people, but you know that on the inside, you’re not even sure what normal is anymore. Everyone grieves in away that is unique to them and their relationship with the person who has died. Well-intentioned people may say to you, ‘Time is a great healer.’ Sometimes, however, it can seem that life is more difficult as the weeks and months go by. We know that no-one can understand exactly what your loss feels like to you. But we do understand that it’s sometimes easier to talk to someone outside of your friends and family about grief and the impact of bereavement of your life and this is why we offer the GriefChat service.
GriefChat was created by bereavement experts and by clicking on the GriefChat box below, you can chat directly to a specially trained bereavement counsellor. GriefChat counsellors are experienced in supporting bereaved people and will listen to your story, explore how your grief is affecting you and help you to find any additional support you might need. GriefChat is a completely free service and is available Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm (except Bank Holidays).
GriefChat provides emotional support for bereaved people, access to trained bereavement counsellors and referral into other specialist bereavement services.
The medical certificate or the cause of death certificate must have been issued by the doctor or hospital to a medical examinar who will decide if the death needs to be referred to a coroner.
If the death has been referred to the coroner, they will inform you when you are able to make an appointment to register the death. Once the cause of death certificate is completed it will be sent it to the Register Office, you will need to arrange an appointment to register the death, you now need to do this in person. Registration must take place in the county your loved one passed away in, if this is not possible you can register by proxy, please contact us and we will help you. Your funeral director cannot register the death.
In most situations the next of kin or a relative will register the death of a loved one. However there are others who could register the death for you
Someone who was present at the time of death
An occupant of the house where the death occurred
An official from the hospital where the death occurred
The person making the funeral arrangements
During the telephone appointment, the Registrar will ask you to provide the following information:
Date of Death
Place of Death
Name and surname of the deceased
Sex: Male or Female
Maiden surname of woman who has been married or civil partnership This is the surname in which a woman contracted her (first) marriage or Civil Partnership
Date of Birth: Please provide approximate dates if exact date not known.
Place of Birth
Date of Birth: Please provide approximate dates if exact date not known.Place of BirthOccupationMarital StatusSpouse/Civil Partners Name and SurnameSpouse/Civil Partners OccupationUsual Address
Occupation
Marital Status
Spouse/Civil Partners Name and Surname
Spouse/Civil Partners Occupation
Usual Address
When a loved one passes away we understand it is an extremely upsetting and stressful time, we are here to help and guide you.
It is OK to take some time for yourself, before proceeding to inform people, you could ask a family member or close friend to help you, please call us if you require help or have any questions.
Firstly call your doctors surgery, during surgery hours, a GP will attend your home to certify that your loved one has passed away, they will then complete a Cause of Death Certificate
If the family are not present, the nursing staff will contact you. They will arrange for a doctor to issue the certificate of death and a release form, which needs to be signed by the next of kin, allowing us to bring your loved one into our care.If the funeral is to be a cremation, please inform the hospital staff. Once all necessary paperwork has been completed by the hospital, the funeral director will attend the hospital to collect your loved one.
If a death occurs in a nursing home, the nursing staff will contact you and they will make the arrangements for a doctor to attend. They will then contact the funeral director on your behalf to arrange for your loved one to be taken into their care. Sadly some deaths are unexpected, it is normal for the coroner to be informed of sudden and unexplained deaths. The coroner will investigate the circumstances and may carry out a medical examination to establish the cause of death. Once this has been concluded they will supply your funeral director with the necessary paperwork to allow your loved one to be taken in to care.
If a loved one passes away while on holiday in the UK, all the required paperwork will be completed by a doctor or the hospital in the area, your funeral director will guide you through registration of the death and will make all the necessary arrangement to bring your loved one in to care. If your loved one passes away abroad, contact your funeral director, who will liaise with all parties involved to bring your loved one home.
Many people find comfort and solace in poetry which is why it’s so popular as part of a funeral tribute. We’ve created a collection of popular poetry that may offer some inspiration
To My Grandfather
A giant pine, magnificent and old
Stood staunch against the sky and all around
Shed beauty, grace and power.
Within its fold birds safely reared their young.
The velvet ground beneath was gentle,and the cooling shade gave cheer to passers by.
Its towering arms a landmark stood, erect and unafraid,
As if to say, “Fear naught from life’s alarms”.
It fell one day.
Where it had dauntless stood was loneliness and void.
But men who passed paid tribute – and said,
“To know this life was good,It left it’s mark on me.
Its work stands fast”.
And so it lives.
Such life no bonds can hold –
This giant pine, magnificent and old.
His Journey’s Just Begun
Don’t think of him as gone away
his journey’s just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched…
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.
Weep Not For Me
Weep not for me though I have gone
Into that gentle night
Grieve if you will, but not for long
Upon my soul’s sweet flight
I am at peace, my soul’s at rest
There is no need for tears
For with your love I was so blessed
For all those many years
There is no pain, I suffer not
The fear is now all gone
Put now these things out of your thoughts
In your memory I live on
Remember not my fight for breath
Remember not the strife
Please do not dwell upon my death
But celebrate my life
Local Registrar Office:
Aldershot Register Office, 109 High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1DQ
Tel: 0300 555 1392
