What should I do if a relative dies at home?

When a death which has been expected, occurs at home or at a nursing home, the Doctor who has been treating the deceased should be contacted. The Doctor or a colleague, will either attend to confirm that death has occurred, or will give permission for the deceased to be transferred to a Funeral Director's premises,

If this is your wish. Robert Mackie Funeral Directors will take care of all arrangements for you..

What should I do if a relative dies in hospital?

If a relative who has been a hospital inpatient dies, the doctors who have been treating the deceased will usually be able to issue the Death Certificate.

Most hospitals will give family members the opportunity to sit with the deceased before transfer from the ward or private room.

The Doctor says he won't issue the Death Certificate. Why is this?

The Doctor can only issue the Certificate if he knows the cause of death, and has been treating the deceased for this illness in the last 14 days. If this is not the case, or if there are other circumstances involved such as a recent operation, or a possible industrial disease, the Doctor will have to refer the death to the Procurator Fiscal . If the death has occurred at home, the Procurator Fiscal will arrange for the deceased to be taken into his custody, in order that the death can be investigated.

What does a Procurator Fiscal do?

It is the Procurator Fiscal 's responsibility to ascertain the cause of death. The vast majority of deaths that are reported to the coroner are discovered to be from natural causes - only a small proportion require further investigation. The procurator fiscal will conduct a post mortem examination of the deceased, which involves examination of the organs to ascertain the cause of the death. The procurator fiscal does not require permission to investigate a death within his/her jurisdiction, and cannot be prevented from doing so.

In certain circumstances, the Procurator Fiscal may investigate a death even when the person has been ill for some time. The procurator fiscal has to investigate deaths from diseases which may have been caused by the deceased's occupation, or deaths after recent operations, to ensure that public interest has been served.

Robert Mackie Funeral Directors Funeral Director will be able to advise you how to proceed.

Why do GP's charge for cremation forms?

A deceased person cannot be cremated until the cause of death has been ascertained and properly recorded.

The BMA website sets out the procedure:

"Before cremation can take place two certificates need to be signed, one by the GP and one by another doctor. Cremation Form Part B must be completed by the registered medical practitioner who attended the deceased during their last illness. Form C must be completed by a registered medical practitioner who is neither a partner nor a relative of the doctor who completed Form PartB.

A fee can be charged for the completion of both Forms as this does not form part of a doctor's NHS duties Doctors normally charge these fees to the funeral director, who, generally passes on the cost to the family. Doctors are also entitled to charge a mileage allowance, where appropriate".

Why do I have to register the death?

All deaths have to be registered, normally by someone close to the deceased, and this should be done as soon as possible although the Registrar of Births,

Deaths and Marriages must register the death within eight days in Scotland and 5 days in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

If the death happens in Scotland it must be registered in Scotland, even if the deceased person's usual residence was outwith Scotland and the body is to be taken out of Scotland for internment. Registration of a death must also take place before cremation.

What do I need to register the death?

In order to register the death, you will need to obtain a Death Certificate from the Doctor who was treating the deceased during the last illness. When the Procurator Fiscal  is involved, this Certificate is replaced by one from the Procurator Fiscal whose office will be able to advise you or your Funeral Director when you will be able to attend the Registrar's Office.

To register a death in England and Wales, the deceased's NHS Medical Card is the only other document required. However, this is not compulsory, so do not delay registering the death if you cannot find it - the Registrar will explain to you what to do if the Medical Card is subsequently found.

If you have the deceased's Birth or Marriage Certificates to hand you can take them along to the Registrar, but the documents will not be retained. All that is required is the information contained on them e.g. the deceased's place and date of birth, and maiden name if applicable.

In Scotland, more documents are required to register a death and Robert Mackie Funeral Directors will provide the right information and advice.

What will the registrar give me?

Funeral Director's Form. This is Form 14 which is a Certificate of Registration of Death, and should be given to your Funeral Director to allow the funeral to take place.

Death Certificates. These are copies of the Register Entry, and are the Certificates required by Banks, Insurance Companies etc. to attend to the deceased's affairs. These are currently £9.50 per copy.

Do I have to register the death before arranging the funeral?

No. Arranging the funeral involves your Funeral Director discussing with you the type of funeral required, and offering you advice and information as appropriate. This can be done as soon as you have made certain decisions about the funeral - e.g. whether it is to be a burial or cremation.

Then, once you have registered the death, you can arrange with us for the green form to be handed over or collected.

We have never been a religious family - do we have to have a minister to take the ceremony?

No - there is no requirement to hold a religious funeral service, and there are a number of alternatives. Perhaps a relative or friend could take the service if they feel able to do so. Other Members of the congregation could speak or read verses or poems. The British Humanist Association has a network of officiants who will provide a very personal non-religious ceremony. Rober Mackie Funeral Directors can organise a Humanist ceremony.

What are green funerals and woodland burials?

'Green funerals' is a term often used to describe funerals which are designed to be simple and environmentally friendly. Some people consider the use of a cardboard coffin to be more environmentally friendly than one composed of wood bi-products.

Woodland burial sites are where trees or wild flowers are planted on graves instead of a headstone, eventually turning the site into woodland. There are many such sites available throughout the United Kingdom.We will be able to provide you with information should you require it.

Funerals can be expensive. How will I know if I can afford it?

As Members of the National Association of Funeral Directors, we  abide by a Code of Practice which ensures that we  treat all clients and the public fairly. Price lists are available, showing the cost of the services we provide.

We can provide a written estimate and confirmation of arrangements before the funeral takes place. This ensures that you are aware of the costs of the funeral you have arranged.

Can I get any assistance with funeral costs?

The DSS Social Fund awards financial assistance to individuals who meet a number of criteria. To qualify, you, and all other family Members who share your responsibility for the funeral, must be receiving at least one of several benefits, and have insufficient savings to pay for the funeral.

The DSS Funeral Payment will provide a limited amount, which may cover a very basic funeral, or provide a contribution towards a more traditional funeral.

We will be able to advise you about the qualifying criteria and the likely contribution available.

As a Non-Christian how will I know that you nderstand our requirements?

Robert Mackie Funeral Directors will be able to to discuss your exact requirements if you are Christian or Non Christian and we will explain different alternatives available