What to do when someone passes away
Depending on where the person has passed away, the different sections below show the 1st steps on what to do.
Care / Nursing home
When someone passes away in a care facility, the staff will arrange for the death to be verified by a qualified clinician. When you are ready, either you or if you prefer the staff at the home can make contact with us and we will arrange to attend the home to bring your loved one into our care.
If the death was expected then the persons GP practice will need to be notified, then they can arrange for a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to be completed by the GP and sent to the Medical Examiner team, the medical examiner office will call you to discuss the situation and make sure you have no concerns or issues, they will then send the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the registrar office. You will need to make an appointment at the registrar's to formally register the death and receive the death certificate.
If the GP is unable to give a definitive cause of death, they will refer the death to the coroner's office who will be in touch in due course to discuss the next steps with regards to an investigation or post mortem examination.
At home / Private Address
When a loved one passes away at a private address, if the death was expected, due to illness, you will need to contact the person's GP surgery if the death has happened during the day or contact the District Nurse out of hours team for a suitable qualified member of their team to verify the death. Once this has taken place , you will need to make contact with us and we will attend the address and bring your loved one into our care.
If the death was expected then the GP will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death , they will send this to the Medical Examiners office who will make contact with you to make sure you have no concerns or any issues. After this call has has taken place the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent to the registrar's office. You will then make an appointment to formally register the death and you will receive the death certificate upon registering.
If the death was sudden or unexplained then please call 999 to request an Ambulance crew attend. If the death is unexplained then you must leave the area untouched until the Ambulance crew arrive. They will ask you which funeral director you wish to use and they will then contact us to attend the address and bring your loved one into our care.
The Ambulance or Police (if they attend) will prepare a file and send it to the coroners office who will then be in touch with you in the coming days to discuss the next stages of the investigation. You will not be able to register the death until the coroner's office permits you to.
Hospital
When a loved one passes away in hospital, the staff looking after them will verify the death. If you are present they will allow you as much time as you need to sit with your loved one . If you weren't present at the time the person died the hospital will call you and give you the opportunity to spend time with your loved one if you wish.
Over the next few days the bereavement team at the hospital will prepare the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and send it to the Medical Examiners office. They will give you a call and discuss the cause of death given by the Doctor and also allow you to discuss any concerns or issues you may have. Once this call has taken place, the paperwork is sent to the registrar's office and you can make an appointment to formally register the death and receive the death certificate. At whatever point you feel ready to contact us then please do, we will arrange to attend the hospital and bring your loved one into our care.
Arranging the Funeral
When you feel ready to start putting arrangments in place we have complied a guide below to help you understand some of the questions we will ask.
Burial/Cremation/
Direct cremation
This is usually the first decision as the paperwork is different for each choice.
Printing
Order of service booklets, memorial cards and bookmarks are just a few of the options we can organise for the service or at a later date. We use local printers and work with them, you and the person who is leading the service to create a design that reflects your loved one and their life.
Keepsakes
We can take fingerprints and locks of hair as personal keepsakes for you and your family members. We can also arrange ashes jewellery, fingerprint jewellery and personalised ashes keepsakes.
Venue
Where do you wish the service to take place?
This can be in a church, in a private venue of your choice (we can advise you with many local options that are avaliable), at the crematorium or at the graveside.
Music
Choosing a specific song to honour your loved ones life is a truly fitting way to make the service memorable and fitting . We will discuss the options dependant on where the service is taking place
Personalising the service
There are many ways to do this:
- We can take a specific route
- Have a Band or a Bagpiper playing
- Release Doves
- Have a drink reception to make a toast
- Memorial Keepsakes for attendees
Religion/ Celebration of life led service
We work closely with all local churches, civil celebrants and humanist officiants. Meaning we can liaise with whichever officiant you choose.
Transport
If you require a traditional hearse or something a bit different we have a range of options including Motorcycle hearse and Sidecar, Vintage Waggon, Land Rover hearses, Flatbed trucks, Tractor and trailers, Horse drawn hearses or a Private vehicle.
Donations to charity
If you would like a donation box at the service for attendees to make a donation in memory of your loved one, we can discuss different ways to facilitate this.
Coffin choice
we have a variety of coffins avaliable wether you want a more traditional wooden one or something a bit different. We offer a selection of Bamboo, Wicker, Willow, Cardboard, Seagrass, Cane and Wool. We also offer a range of colours and styles including designing your own with pictures and photographs. Take a look at our Coffins/Gallery page.
Carrying the coffin
If you or your family and friends wish to carry the coffin on the day of the funeral we will happily discuss the options with you.
Flowers
We work closely with local florists and can help you choose the right design and budget for your requirements.
All of the above is simply a starting guide, not an exhaustive list. We will listen to you, offer specialist advice and work with you to create a fitting goodbye
Contact us
Mytholmroyd Office -
01422 893171
Brennan Funeral Service, Brier Hey Business Park, Burnley Road, Mytholmroyd, HX7 5PF
WHAT 3 WORDS LOCATION - ///than.ironic.openings
Littleborough Office -
01706 303171
42 Victoria Street, Littleborough, OL15 9DB
WHAT 3 WORDS LOCATION - ///launch.scouts.master
E-mail: brennanfuneralservice@outlook.com