If you’re caring for a relative at home with the support of a district nurse or palliative care team, these notes can help you prepare for when the time comes.
Planning Ahead
Although it can feel hard to think about, speaking with a funeral director before death happens can be a real comfort — and a practical step.
A short conversation can:
- Reassure you about what to expect
- Make calling us easier when the time comes, as you’ll already know who you’re speaking to
- Help us prepare for any home access or body size considerations
If palliative care suggests that death may happen within hours, please do let us know, even if you don’t need us right away. Call us on 020 3281 1045 — we’re always here to help.
You can also fill in our online Planning Ahead form, so we have your details ready.
When Death Happens
Verification of Death
A medical professional will confirm that death has occurred. This is not the same as certifying the death.
- If a nurse is present, they will usually handle this
- If not, call the number provided by your care team or your family member’s GP practice – and they will explain what will happen next in terms of who to expect to arrive and by when
- If you can’t reach anyone, call NHS 111
Once verified, you’ll be given a formal death verification form to show the funeral director.
Calling Us
Please call us on 020 3281 1045 once death has happened, or once it has been verified.
If you’d like some quiet time before we arrive, just let us know and we can arrange a later time to arrive..
Our team will arrange to come as soon as possible and we will let you know our ETA in advance. We do have a legal obligation to manage driver safety hours, so if you call after working hours or during the night, we may request a specific time for us to arrive.
Caring for Your Relative at Home
Until we arrive:
- Keep windows and doors closed (to avoid flies)
- Cover your relative with a sheet (avoid duvets or blankets)
- Turn off any heating in the room
Our Arrival
Our team will arrive in a discreet vehicle. We will introduce ourselves and then assess the space, before bringing in our stretcher.
Typically family prefer to be in another room whilst we take care of your relative, but if you wish to watch or partake, you can.
Our discreet but friendly team will bring your relative into our care at our private modern private mortuary near Twickenham.
They’ll be gently cared for with the highest standards of environmentally friendly hygiene and high tech refrigeration. Regular monitoring ensures dignity at every stage, we do not use any invasive procedures.
We do not have an on-site chapel of rest at our office – we like to keep this space relaxing for family meetings only. When a family requires a chapel of rest, we hire the chapel at a local church which is far more conducive to privacy, peace and quiet.
Next Steps
Once your relative is in our care, you don’t need to do anything immediately.
We’ll send you an email with a link to complete our Key Information form when you feel ready and explain the next steps to take.
Medical Certificate & Registering the Death
- Your GP (or attending doctor) will prepare the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
- The MCCD is sent to a Medical Examiner for approval before it’s sent to the Registrar
- You’ll be notified by the Medical examiner once it’s sent — only then can you book an appointment to register the death
This process is subject to two stages and may take a few days.
Arranging the Funeral
There’s no rush, we can begin planning the funeral — at a pace that feels right for you.
