After a death
When the person you care for dies it is extremely distressing. There are arrangements that need to be made at a time when you may be finding it very difficult to cope. Here is some general guidance on the practical things to do when the person you care for dies. A carers' support worker or similar professional can support you through this sad time.
- Oxfordshire carers' centres
- Age Concern: end of life information
- Medical Certificate and Formal Notice: inform the doctor treating the deceased of the death. If the doctor can certify the cause of death he or she will provide a Medical Certificate and Formal Notice.
- Coroner: If the doctor cannot certify the cause of death he or she will refer the case to the Coroner. If the doctor treating the deceased did not see him or her either after death or within 14 days before death, the death must be reported to the Coroner. See the Oxfordshire County Council website for more information..
- Register the death: The death has to be registered within five days (unless the registrar says this time limit can be extended). The death must be registered by the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths for the sub-district in which it occurred. See the General Register Office website and Oxfordshire County Council's website..
- The Death Certificate: The Death Certificate is available to you but you will have to pay a fee. You may need a Death Certificate for the will, any pension claims, insurance policies, savings bank certificates and premium bonds. You may find it practical to ask for several copies as the price increases if you need a copy later on.
- Funeral arrangements: Check that the death does not have to be reported to the Coroner, this could affect the date the funeral can be held. Find out if there is a will, there may be requests about funeral arrangements. Information about funeral arrangements
- Help with the cost of the funeral: If you arrange the funeral you are responsible for paying the bill. Check where the money will come from and if there will be enough. If you have difficulty paying for a funeral you may be able to get a Social Fund Funeral Payment. You can claim a Funeral Payment from the date of death to three months after the date of the funeral.
- Bereavement benefits: if the person who has died was your spouse or legal partner and had paid sufficient National Insurance contributions you may be able to claim bereavement benefit.
- Emotional support: you may want to talk to someone about how you feel.
- See more bereavement advice on this website
Links to specialist support:
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