What to do When Someone Passes

Call Us: 01483314344

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.

Contact Us
hands-holding-each-other-support

1. Notify the Relevant Authorities

If the Death Occurs at Home

  • Contact the deceased’s GP if the death was expected.
  • Outside GP hours, call NHS 111 for guidance.
  • A medical professional will confirm the death and provide instructions.

If the Death Occurs in a Hospital or Care Home

  • Staff will manage initial procedures and advise on next steps.
  • They will arrange for a doctor to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

If the Death Was Sudden or Unexpected

  • Call 999 immediately.
  • Police and paramedics will attend, and the case may be referred to the coroner.
Untitled design (1)

2. Contact us at Surrey Direct Cremation

Once the death is confirmed, contact a local funeral director to begin arrangements. At Surrey Direct Cremations, we provide compassionate support and guidance, including:

  • Arranging the dignified transfer of your loved one into our care
  • Handling all legal paperwork and documentation
  • Supporting planning for a direct cremation
  • No hidden charges such as additional fees for out of hours collections
Contact Us

3. Understanding the Death Certification Process

All deaths must now be reviewed by a Medical Examiner before a death certificate is issued.

Process Overview:

checkup
Medical Examiner Review

Examines medical records and consults with the attending doctor

doctor
Doctor or Coroner Decision

Determines if the attending doctor can issue the death certificate or if the coroner must be involved

death-certificate (1)
Issuance of Death Certificate

Certificate issued if no further investigation is required

mortuary-urn-burning-candle-flowers-dark-background

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:

  • A relative of the deceased
  • Someone present at the time of death
  • The person responsible for funeral arrangements (not the funeral director)
Call Us: 01483314344
Documents Needed:
  • Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) (The MCCD is provided to the registrar by the ME. May add clarity to someone looking at this and thinking….where do I get the MCCD)
  • Full name, date of birth, and last address of the deceased
  • Occupation and marital status
  • Spouse or civil partner details, if applicable
  • State pension or benefits information
Local Register Offices in Surrey include:
  • Redhill Register Office

    Surrey County Hall, Reigate Road, Redhill, RH1 6AY | 01737 737000

  • Camberley Registration Office

    Surrey Heath House, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3HD | 03002001002

  • Epsom Registration Office

    Epsom Library Hub, Epsom, Surrey KT18 | 0300 200 1002

  • Reigate Registration Office

    Reigate Library, Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP | 0300 200 1002

  • Staines Registration Office

    Elmsleigh Centre Staines-upon-Thames TW184QB | 0300 200 1002

  • Weybridge Registration Office

    Rylston 81 Oatlands Drive Weybridge Surrey KT13 9LN

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.

Woman interacting with money
Portrait of a cheerful family with a little daughter having fun while walking along the beach together holding hands

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:

  • Cause of death is unknown
  • Death occurred suddenly or during medical treatment
Surrey Coroner’s Offices:

8. Bereavement Support & Additional Contacts

Grief can feel overwhelming. Support is available locally:

Local Hospitals:

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.

phone-call(1)(1)

Telephone: 01483314344
email(2)

Email: info@surreydirectcremations.com