What To Do When Someone Dies

Losing a loved one can be a daunting and confusing experience and we are here to guide you through the necessary arrangements during this difficult time.

At Darren Miles Funeral Services, we aim to relieve you of those concerns.

If the death occurs at Home.

The first contact should be the deceased’s doctor or doctor on call, they will come and see the deceased and in most cases will issue a Medical Certificate of Death, if you have had to dial 999 and a paramedic attended they can issue the Medical Certificate of Death.

If the death occurs in a Nursing Home.

The nursing staff will call the doctor and after they have seen the deceased will call the funeral director of your choice to arrange collection to their premises.

 If the death occurs at Hospital.

You will need to inform the hospital of the name of the funeral director of your choice and say if it is to be a burial or cremation, this will allow the cremation papers to be signed by the hospital (If it is to be a cremation) and will allow the funeral director to collect the deceased in to their care.

As soon as you are ready to make funeral arrangements ring the funeral director to make an appointment to visit them.

 If the death is Sudden or Unexpected

By law the doctor will have to refer to the coroner as there may be possibly an investigation, when the coroner is satisfied, they will issue a Coroner’s certificate which replaces the Medical Certificate of Death.

To Register the Death

Ring the Registrar in the area in which the death occurred to make an appointment to register the death, take the Medical Certificate of Death, the registrar will guide you through the process and will issue a Green Registration Certificate which you will need to take to the funeral director.

Bognor Regis Registrar

Call 01243 642122

Durban House, South Bersted Business Park, Durban Road, Bognor Regis, PO22 9RE

Chichester funeral directors

Chichester Registrar

Call 01243 642122


3 Orchard Street, Chichester, PO19 1DD

What will the funeral director ask you?

- If you have the green registration certificate

- Is it to be a cremation or burial and where

- Full name of deceased

- Date of birth, death and age of the deceased

- Occupation

- Deceased’s usual doctor

- If you would like the deceased dressed in their own clothes

- What date and time for the service (any date to avoid, birthdays, holidays etc)

- What minister, celebrant (We can advise) or no service at all if Direct Cremation

- Whether you need a limousine or use your own cars

- If you will need to visit the chapel of Rest to see the deceased to say your goodbyes

- If you need Order of Service cards

- What floral tributes you may require and if you would like donations to a charity instead if flowers