What are your next steps when someone passes away?
Rest assured that when you call us, either Rob or Dawn will answer the phone personally, no matter what the day or time, and will guide you through everything and help you with any questions you have and what you need to do.
Depending upon where a loved one passes away, there are slightly different steps to take, so please read through the following guides.
When someone dies at home, and it's expected.
When a loved one passes away at home, you may phone us straight away, but we will have to wait until the death has been verified by a professional, before we can bring them into our care. If they have been looked after by a district nurse, they can do this. Or you can call your regular doctors, or call 111.
Once a professional has verified the death, we will come as quickly as you would like us to, or if you need more time, just let us know on the phone.
From this point we will be able to advise you on everything you need to know. From registering the death, to coming in to see us, or us coming to see you, and talking through the wishes you have.
When someone dies in a care home
When someone passes away in a care home, the care home will call you and let you know and if you have already told them, you would like us to take care of your loved one, then the care home will call us directly, and we will arrange with them, when we can bring your loved one, into our care. If they haven't already been told, then they will ask you on the phone, and you can give them our name, even if you haven't yet spoken to us.
Hopefully, if the death was expected, they will have asked you to come in, so you can say your goodbye's. They will often do this even if you haven't been able to get in before hand, but don't worry if you can't, as you will still have the same opportunity with us.
As soon as your loved one is resting in our care, we will call you to let you know. If it's in the middle of the night, then we will usually call you in the morning.
When we speak to you, we can advise you about all the next steps, including registering the death, and coming in to make the arrangeemnts with us, either in our office, or at your own home.
When someone dies at home, and it's not expected
Coping with a loved one passing away is already one of the hardest things a person has to go through, but when it is sudden and unexpected, it makes it so much harder.
When someone has passed away at home, and it was not expected, you will to need to call the ambulance, and they will decide whether the police also need to be called. If they do decide the police are needed, your loved one will be taken to Musgrove Park Hospital for the coroner (a funeral director will be appointed by the police to do this). You will then be given a coroner's officer, as a point of contact, to keep you updated with what is happening.
In the meantime, you can call us, and we can help and guide you through all the next steps. You will need to tell your coroner's officer, that we are the Funeral Directors, who will be looking after your loved one, and then once the post mortem has been carried out, we will be able to bring them into our care.
When someone dies in hospital
If your loved one passes away in hospital, whether it's Musgrove or further afield, you can call us straight away, and we can help you with the next steps. You will need to let the bereavement office at the hospital know, that it will be us looking after your family, and then as soon as your loved one is ready, they will let us know, so we can bring them into our care.
We will make sure you are updated at each stage, so you always know where your loved one is. We can come and see you in your own home, or you can come to our office on Staplegrove Road, to talk through your wishes and start making the arrangements.
Things to consider before you meet us
If possible, have a look at our funeral options on our website, or pick up a booklet from outside the front of our office. This will help to familiarise you with the various options available. Everything can be fully personalised. But if you don't get a chance then don't worry, as we will guide you through all the various options when we meet.
Do you want your loved one to be dressed in something specific? If you have it ready, feel free to bring it in with you when you see us. If you don't, we can arrange this later, so don't worry. This option is available to everyone.
Did they have a favourite perfume or aftershave?
If there is a funeral plan in place, you are welcome to bring this in with you, but we will also have this on file, so don't worry if you can't find it.
We hope this guide is useful, but ultimately, you can just pick up the phone and call us, and we can answer any questions you have, or fill out our contact form if you find that easier We are here to help.
Quantock Funeral Directors
[01823] 277938