When Someone Dies
Most of us, at some point, will be confronted with the task of making funeral arrangements for a loved one. A bereavement is obviously upsetting, and we are here to avoid any unnecessary stress when it comes to making funeral plans.
All deaths must now be registered with the Local Authority using a Green Form, which our staff will provide upon request. We can assist you in completing this form should you require help. A death cannot be registered without this Green Form.
The following information will be required:
- Full name and surname of the deceased.
- Usual address (if different to place of death)
- Date and Place of Death.
- Date and Place of Birth (Birth Certificate if available).
- The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
- The name and address of the deceased’s GP.
- Maiden Surname (if the deceased was a woman who had married).
- Status (Married, Single, Divorced, etc.) and sex.
- Occupation (if the deceased was a wife or widow, the full names and occupation of her husband (or deceased husband) will be required. If the deceased was a child, the full names and occupation of the father will be required or where the parents are not married, the full names and occupation of the mother will be required).
A death can be registered at your local town hall or at the closest town hall to the place of death. On registration, you will handed two documents. One will be the GRO 21, which is the council permission for either burial or cremation to take place. This will be required by your funeral director before the council will allow the funeral to take place. The other will be the Death Certificate. Many organisations, such as banks, building societies, insurance companies, etc require an Original death certificate to be provided, so it is recommended that you purchase at least three copies of this document. It is less expensive to do this when registering the death, than returning to get extra copies at a later date.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact us. We are here to help.
Our funeral homes
We have several funeral homes should you require to use them in different areas across Belfast, Bangor and Lisburn. All have private rest rooms and special service rooms. Each one is tastefully decorated, with disabled access and private car parking on site.
There will also be a number of considerations in the days following a death. This includes registration of a death, who to inform about the death, as well as consideration of returning documents, cancelled items and any unoccupied property.
Should you have further questions, our experienced staff are available 24 hours to answer a call and assist in every way possible. We will deal with any of your questions with sensitivity, integrity and professionalism.
Our funeral homes
We have several funeral homes should you require to use them in different areas across Belfast, Bangor and Lisburn. All have private rest rooms and special service rooms. Each one is tastefully decorated, with disabled access and private car parking on site.
There will also be a number of considerations in the days following a death. This includes registration of a death, who to inform about the death, as well as consideration of returning documents, cancelled items and any unoccupied property.
Should you have further questions, our experienced staff are available 24 hours to answer a call and assist in every way possible. We will deal with any of your questions with sensitivity, integrity and professionalism.
Looking for help & advice?
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our support team:
A personalised approach
Once we are contacted we will arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care and agree a suitable time for you to meet with us to start the funeral arrangements.
Contact UsIn the days following a death, it is a good idea to make a list of things which will need to be addressed in due course. The following is a list of people or organisations you may need to inform. This is different for everyone, but it should help you as you begin to consider what things you may need to do.
Consider:
- The Bank or Building Society. Accounts may need to be closed and any joint accounts may need to be amended.
- The Inland Revenue. Telephone or write to your local district office and give them the name of the Deceased and his/her National Insurance number. There may be a rebate of tax due in certain cases.
- The Family Doctor and or the Hospital. Any outstanding appointments should be cancelled.
- Any employer, school, college or university.
- Social Services. You may need to cancel any housing/rate benefits and council tax.
- Social Security. Form 36/BD8 needs to be completed to cancel any direct payments into a bank account. The Registrar of Deaths can provide a white certificate. There is also a Widows Claims Pack, reference BW1, which in certain circumstances may provide a lump sum of up to £1000.
- Investment and Insurance Companies, including Car Insurance.
- Investments. Premium Bonds are not transferable. The Post Office can issue you with a form that needs to be sent to the Bonds and Stocks Office.
- Insurance Policies. The policyholder’s name may have to be changed, especially with regard to car insurance, as you may not legally insured to drive if a policy is in the Deceased’s name. In order to redeem life assurance policies, the insurance company will require the Policy Document and a Death Certificate.
- Credit Card and Store Card Companies.
- Oil, Gas, Electric, Telephone, Cable or Satellite Companies.
- Any Professional Associations.
- The Local Authority.
- Post Office. For mail to be re-directed, a small charge may be levied.
There may be other things to consider. This is not an exhaustive list, but outlines those things which are relevant in most circumstances. For further advice or guidance, please ask one of our Funeral Directors.
Looking for help & advice?
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our support team:
A personalised approach
Once we are contacted we will arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care and agree a suitable time for you to meet with us to start the funeral arrangements.
Contact UsStandard documentation should also be considered in due course. To follow is a list of items pertaining to the Deceased which you may need to deal with in time. This is for guidance only and is not a complete list:
- Vehicle Registration Documents. The name of ownership may need to be changed.
- Passport. You should return the passport to Upton House, 47-51 High Street, Belfast, BT1 2QS.
- Library Books and Tickets.
- Driving License. This should be sent to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. If the licence can not be found, you may need to send a letter to the DVLA giving the licence holders name and address..
- Club Membership Cards and Season Tickets. A refund may be issued in some circumstances.
- Television Licence. If necessary you may wish to change the name of the holder or a refund may be issued.
- National Health Service Equipment. Arrange for this to be returned to hospital or Doctor’s surgery.
- Wills and Probate. Consideration needs to be given to Wills and Probate. You may wish to contact your solicitor.
Looking for help & advice?
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our support team:
A personalised approach
Once we are contacted we will arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care and agree a suitable time for you to meet with us to start the funeral arrangements.
Contact UsConsider anything that may be delivered or arranged on a regular basis, for example:
- Milk
- Newspapers
- Appointments with Home Help
- Meals on Wheels
- Dentist
- Optician
- Hairdresser
Looking for help & advice?
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our support team:
A personalised approach
Once we are contacted we will arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care and agree a suitable time for you to meet with us to start the funeral arrangements.
Contact UsIn the short term there are some things you can do to ensure an empty property is kept as secure as possible:
- Make sure all doors and windows are secure.
- Consider leaving the heating on during the winter to prevent the pipes from freezing.
- To give the appearance of the house being occupied: adjust blinds and curtains regularly, purchase a time clock to turn a lamp on and off at intervals, entrust a key to a neighbour who will attend to any newspapers and mail that may arrive.
- Cancel any Meals on Wheels
Looking for help & advice?
If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact our support team:
A personalised approach
Once we are contacted we will arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care and agree a suitable time for you to meet with us to start the funeral arrangements.
Contact Us