FUNERAL SERVICES

​​​Advice When Someone Dies

​The steps you need to take following the loss of a loved one will vary depending on where and how they passed away. Below is a guide to help you through this difficult time.

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At Home

If your loved one passes away at home, a doctor will need to certify the death. This may be their registered GP or an on-call doctor. Once the certification is complete and you feel ready, you can contact us, and we will bring your loved one into our care.

If the death was expected, the GP will provide a medical certificate stating the cause of death, which you’ll need to register the death.

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In Hospital or Hospice

If the death occurs in a hospital or hospice, you’ll typically work with the bereavement team for practical and emotional support. The deceased will usually remain in the facility’s mortuary until a funeral director is appointed or other arrangements are made.

If you choose us to care for your loved one, we will make all the necessary arrangements to bring them into our care.

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Abroad

Losing someone abroad can be particularly distressing, often involving unexpected circumstances, language barriers, and logistical challenges.

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First Steps:

1. Register the Death: Register the death with the local authority in the country where it occurred.

2. Seek Advice: Contact the British embassy or consulate for assistance. In some cases, the death can also be registered with UK authorities.

3. Understand Processes: If a coroner is involved, or if the death was unnatural, additional steps may be required before repatriation.

‘Repatriation’ refers to bringing your loved one home from another country. In most cases, travel insurance will cover these costs. If insurance does not apply, the family is typically responsible for the expenses.

We work with trusted companies specializing in repatriation and transportation services. For further guidance, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

For more details, visit the UK government’s guide:

www.gov.uk/after-a-death/death-abroad

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If Someone Dies Unexpectedly

In cases of unexpected death, or if the deceased hasn’t been seen by their GP in the last 14 days, the death will be reported to the coroner. The coroner may require a post-mortem or an inquest, which can take time.

We can liaise with the coroner on your behalf and make provisional arrangements for the funeral.

For additional information, visit:

• www.gov.uk/after-a-death

• www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/what-to-do-after-a-death

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Registering a Death

Before arranging a funeral, the death must be registered. This is usually done within five days at your local register office.

What You’ll Need:

• A medical certificate showing the cause of death (provided by the doctor).

To make an appointment to register the death:

• Hull City Council: Call 01482 300300

• Online Resources:

  • Hull Council Death Registration

  • East Riding Death Registration

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After registration, you’ll be issued:

1. A certificate for burial or cremation (often called the ‘green form’), which you’ll need to provide to your chosen funeral director.

2. A death certificate, which may be required for legal and administrative purposes.

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Contact Us for Support

J. Ribbons Funeral Services, based on Greenwood Avenue in Hull, is here to guide you through every step following the loss of a loved one.

We’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to offer compassionate support and expert guidance. If you would prefer a home visit to make funeral arrangements, we are happy to accommodate this at no extra charge.

For assistance, please contact us directly or fill out the contact form below, and we will get back to you promptly.

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Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is an optional free service. It lets you tell most government organisations and council departments that someone has died.

Using Tell Us Once does not always stop follow up enquires. It does mean that you can tell lots of people at once. It prevents the need to contact individual organisations.

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When the registration is complete, the registrar will ask you if you want to use the Tell Us Once Service. If you do, they will issue you with a unique reference. It will allow you to access this service yourself, online or over the telephone within the next 28 days. More information about Tell Us Once is available on the government website.

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If you have registered a death and opted to use the Tell Us Once service, sign in (Opens in a new window) using the unique reference number the registrar gave you.

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