Frequently Asked Questions
The early moments of a bereavement can feel overwhelming and create feelings of uncertainty.
To help with these moments, we have covered some questions families very often ask after they lose a loved one.
If you have any questions or queries with anything at all we are here for you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can contact us anytime by calling 01793 832072 or 01793 422422.
What Do I Do When My Loved One Dies?
It is very difficult to cover every aspect of what to do after someone dies, as individual circumstances can have an impact on what happens, but below is a general guide of what would happen.
If the person dies at home, hospice, hospital or nursing home.
If your loved one’s passing is expected this will normally happen in either the hospital, nursing home, hospice or at home.
If your loved one passes in the hospital, nursing home or hospice you can notify them of which funeral director you like to look after you and the funeral arrangements.
They will then contact the funeral director on your behalf, once everything is ready for your loved to come into their care. Although with a nursing home and hospice this is usually in the first few hours, with the hospital this could be a few days afterwards, with the hospital they will care for your loved one until everything is ready.
If the death was expected, then a doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This will initially be sent to a Medical Examiner who will look through the details before sending the certificate to the registrar.
The Coroner
In some instances, the coroner could be involved (if the death was unexpected, an accident or other reason). We will be able to guide you through this if this is the case.
In all of these instances we are here to be able to guide you and ensure that you are fully supported and aware of everything in the early stages after the loss of your loved one.
How Do I Register A Death?
The registration would take place at the local Registry Office for the Council area in which the death took place.
For Swindon Registry Office you will need to make an appointment after the MCCD or coroner’s paperwork has been received by them. You will have 5 working days from them receiving the documentation to register.
The contact number for Swindon Registry Office is 01793 522738
Areas Not Covered by Swindon
The local areas are NOT covered by Swindon Registrar’s –
Aldbourne, Broad Hinton, Cricklade, Marlborough, Purton , and Royal Wootton Bassett – these are covered by Wiltshire Registrar’s.
Faringdon, Shrivenham and Watchfield – these are covered by Oxfordshire Registrar's
Who can register the death?
You can register the death if you are:
• a relative present at the death
• a relative present during the last illness
• a relative living in the registration district
• a non-related person present at the death
• the occupier of the premises, if aware of the death happening
• the person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director)
• the partner of the deceased, providing you were living as partners in an enduring relationship at the time of the person’s death
• a personal representative, such as a person appointed by and acting on behalf of the deceased person’s family (e.g. a solicitor)
Other people may be able to register the death in certain circumstances.
What will the Registrar need to know.
When you register a death, the Registrar will need to know the following information about your loved one:
• Date and place of death
• Full name
• Maiden surname, if applicable (and information about other names used)
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation
• Address
• Full names and occupation of their spouse or civil partner if they were married or in civil partnership.
• NHS number or medical card (if possible)
• Details of any benefits or entitlements they were getting, such as state pension.
You will also need to tell them your name and address.
What you need to bring
You will need the following documents with you:
• The deceased’s birth certificate (if possible)
• The deceased marriage or civil partnership certificate (if possible)
• The deceased’s NHS medical card (if possible)
The registrar also provides a service called ‘Tell Us Once’, in which they will notify relevant local authority and government departments, including Council Tax, Blue Badge, Passport, DWP, HMRC and the DVLA.
Forms issued by the Registrar
As well as notifying government departments the Registrar will also issue you with the number of copies of Death Certificate that you would require to notify people and organisations privately (Banks, Building Societies, Private/Company Pensions, Life Assurance, Solicitors etc). When you register let the Registrar know how many copies you would like. There is a charge per certificate.
The Registrar will also give you a ‘Green Certificate’, this is to be passed to your chosen funeral director to form a part of the legal paperwork required for the funeral arrangements.
Beyond the registration of your loved one we can take care of every aspect of the funeral arrangements for you.
Why Choose Pearce Funeral Services
We understand how choosing a funeral director can be daunting when faced with the loss of a loved one and, as one of the first things that you would need to do, can feel overwhelming.
At Pearce Funeral Services you are in the care of a funeral directors run by John Pearce, a local man with over 35 years personal experience of looking after bereaved families. Growing up in a family who served the community he has lived his whole life experience from a point of service to others. This experience and knowledge have been passed onto everyone at Pearce Funeral Services, this is not just about what we do, and the service we provide, it is who we are.
At Pearce Funeral Services we understand how every funeral is personal and every family we serve must be treated as individuals, with complete acceptance and respect. At every stage of our service to you we will take all the time needed, listen and can respectfully advise you to ensure to ensure that the service you receive is approachable, sympathetic and tailored for you, reflecting the life and memories of your loved one.
