What to Do When Someone Passes Away: A Step-by-Step Guide
Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences. Knowing the steps to take can help ease the stress of arranging a funeral and ensure everything is handled properly. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step overview for families in Surrey, ensuring all legal, practical, and emotional matters are managed with care.
2. Contact a Funeral Director
Once the death is confirmed, contact a local funeral director to begin arrangements. At Surrey Direct Cremations, we provide compassionate support and guidance, including:
3. Understanding the Death Certification Process
All deaths must now be reviewed by a Medical Examiner before a death certificate is issued.
Process Overview:
Medical Examiner Review
Examines medical records and consults with the attending doctor
Doctor or Coroner Decision
Determines if the attending doctor can issue the death certificate or if the coroner must be involved
Issuance of Death Certificate
Certificate issued if no further investigation is required
4. Registering the Death
Deaths must be registered within five days at the register office in the district where the death occurred.
Who Can Register:
Documents Needed:
Local Register Offices in Surrey include:
-
Guildford Register Office
Millmead House, Guildford, GU2 4BB | 01483 505050
-
Redhill Register Office
Surrey County Hall, Reigate Road, Redhill, RH1 6AY | 01737 737000
5. Arranging the Direct Cremation
Once the death is registered, funeral arrangements can begin. Surrey Direct Cremations provides:
-
Local care – your loved one remains in Surrey, never transported long distances
-
Compassionate support – direct access to our experienced team
-
Transparent pricing – all-inclusive direct cremation (£2,615) including dignified transport in a Mercedes hearse with four bearers
A direct cremation allows families to say farewell their way. You can plan your own wake, memorial service, or gather family and friends when scattering ashes. For ideas, visit our Memorial Suggestions page.
6. Handling Legal and Financial Matters
Following the cremation, you may need to:
-
Notify banks, insurance companies, pension providers, utilities, and other institutions
-
Wills & probate – Executors manage the estate; intestacy rules apply if no will exists
-
Use Tell Us Once – Government service notifying HMRC, DVLA, DWP, and other agencies in one step (gov.uk)
7. Coroner Involvement
A coroner may investigate a death if:
Surrey Coroner’s Offices:
-
Guildford Register Office
Surrey County Hall, Penrhyn Road, Kingston, KT1 2DN | 020 8541 8350
-
Reigate & Redhill Coroner
Reigate Town Hall, Castlefield Road, Reigate, RH2 0SH | 01737 276000
8. Bereavement Support & Additional Contacts
Grief can feel overwhelming. Support is available locally:
-
Cruse Bereavement Support
-
Samaritans
116 123 | samaritans.org
-
Mind Mental Health Support
0300 123 3393 | mind.org.uk
Local Hospitals:
-
Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford
Egerton Road, Guildford, GU2 7XX | 01483 571122
-
East Surrey Hospital, Redhill
Canada Avenue, Redhill, RH1 5RH | 01737 768511
Final Thoughts
Handling the death of a loved one is never easy, but knowing what to do can ease the burden. Surrey Direct Cremations provides guidance, reassurance, and dignified care at every stage.
We are here to support families across Surrey, offering professional, local care with the dignity and respect that is part of the Lodge Brothers heritage.
