Funeral Director in Thornbury
As a trusted funeral director, L. W. Clutterbuck has been supporting families throughout Dursley, Thornbury, Wotton-under-Edge, Yate and the surrounding region for nearly two centuries.
What To Do When Someone Dies
The death of a loved one, whether expected or unexpected, can be an overwhelming and emotional experience. During such a difficult time, it can be hard to know which steps to take and in what order.
Whatever the circumstances, our experienced team will help you navigate the process with care, compassion and understanding. We’re here to provide guidance, reassurance, and assistance whenever you need it: take a look at our services page for a more in-depth overview of what we offer.
When Someone Dies at Home
If a death occurs at home and has been expected, you should contact the GP surgery or district nurse who was caring for your loved one. They will attend to verify that the death has occurred.
Once verification has taken place, you can contact L. W. Clutterbuck and we will make arrangements to bring your loved one into our care.
The doctor will then complete the necessary medical documentation and submit it to the Medical Examiner. Once the Medical Examiner has reviewed the paperwork and spoken with the family, the information will be forwarded to the Registrar, who will contact you to arrange an appointment to register the death.
Following registration, you will be able to obtain certified copies of the death certificate.
When Someone Dies in Hospital
If a loved one passes away in hospital, the medical staff will verify the death and begin the necessary administrative procedures.
The hospital will arrange for the relevant doctor to complete the required paperwork before it is reviewed by the Medical Examiner. Once this process has been completed, the information will be passed to the Registrar, who will contact you regarding the registration of the death.
We appreciate that this can feel unfamiliar and daunting. Our team will be available to explain the process and answer any questions you may have.
When Someone Dies in a Nursing Home or Hospice
If a death occurs in a nursing home, residential care home or hospice, staff may ask whether you have chosen a funeral director.
Once the death has been verified, L. W. Clutterbuck can be contacted to bring your loved one into our care. The doctor will complete the required paperwork, which will then be reviewed by the Medical Examiner before being sent to the Registrar.
Should you need guidance at any stage, our team is always available to help.
When Someone Dies Unexpectedly
If a death occurs suddenly or unexpectedly, you should call 999 and request assistance from the emergency services.
Following verification of the death, it is likely that the Coroner will become involved. In many cases, your loved one will be taken to the Coroner’s mortuary while enquiries are carried out to establish the cause of death.
Although this can be distressing for families, it is a normal part of the process where the circumstances of a death require further investigation. Once the Coroner has completed their enquiries and released your loved one into our care, funeral arrangements can begin.
Registering a Death
In most circumstances, a death should be registered by a close relative. However, registration may also be completed by:
- A close friend of the deceased
- An executor or solicitor acting on behalf of the estate
- The manager of the care home where the death occurred
- The person responsible for arranging the funeral
The Registrar will advise you on the appointment process and any local requirements.
Information to Take to the Registrar
It can be helpful to gather as much information as possible about the deceased before attending your appointment. Useful documents may include:
- Birth certificate
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Passport
- NHS number
- National Insurance or pension details
- Utility bill or proof of address
If you do not have all of these documents available, do not worry. Simply take whatever information you are able to locate.
You may also be asked to provide:
- The full name of the deceased
- Any previous names, including a maiden name if applicable
- Date and place of birth
- Last residential address
- Occupation
- The full name, date of birth and occupation of a spouse or civil partner
- Details of any State Pension or benefits being received
Once registration has been completed, the Registrar will arrange for the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (often referred to as the Green Certificate) to be provided directly to us or issued for you to pass on.
You will also have the opportunity to purchase certified copies of the death certificate, which may be required when dealing with banks, insurance providers and other organisations.
The Tell Us Once Service
After a death has been registered, several government departments and local authority services will need to be informed.
The Tell Us Once service allows this information to be shared with multiple organisations through a single notification, reducing the administrative burden on families.
Following registration, you will receive a unique reference number enabling you to access the service online or by telephone. The service is free to use and should normally be completed within 28 days of registering the death.
We’re Here to Help
Regardless of the circumstances, you are welcome to contact L. W. Clutterbuck at any time for advice and support. Even if some formal procedures are still underway, we can often begin discussing funeral arrangements and provide guidance on the next steps.
Contact Us
If you would like to speak with a member of our team, contact us on 01453 542754 (Cam, Dursley) or 01454 660088 (Thornbury), and we will guide you through every step of the process.