What to do When Someone Passes

A Step-by-Step Guide – Cornwall Direct Cremations

Losing a loved one is one of life’s most difficult experiences. Knowing the steps to take can help reduce the stress of arranging a funeral. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step overview of what to do when someone passes away in Cornwall, ensuring all legal, practical, and emotional matters are handled with care.

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1. Notify the Relevant Authorities

If the Death Occurs at Home

Contact the deceased’s GP if the death was expected.
Outside GP hours, call NHS 111 for guidance.
A medical professional will confirm the death and provide further instructions.

If the Death Was Sudden or Unexpected

Call 999 immediately.
Police and paramedics will attend, and the case may be referred to the coroner.

If the Death Occurs in a Hospital or Care Home

Staff will manage initial procedures and advise on next steps.
They will arrange for a doctor to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

2. Contact a Funeral Director

Once the death is confirmed, contact a local funeral director to begin arrangements.

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At Cornwall Direct Cremations, we provide compassionate support and guidance, including:

Arranging the dignified transfer of your loved one into our care
Handling all legal paperwork and documentation
Supporting planning for a direct cremation and optional chapel arrangements

Call Us: 01726 850216 | Email: info@cornwalldirectcremations.com

3. Understanding the Death Certification Process

All deaths must now be reviewed by a Medical Examiner before a death certificate is issued.

Process Overview:

Medical Examiner Review – Examines medical records and consults with the attending doctor.

Doctor or Coroner Decision – Determines if the attending doctor can issue the death certificate or if the coroner must be involved.

Issuance of Death Certificate – Certificate is issued if no further investigation is required.

4. Registering the Death

Deaths must be registered within five days at the register office in the district where the death occurred.

Who Can Register:

A relative of the deceased
Someone present at the time of death
The person responsible for funeral arrangements (not the funeral director)

Documents Needed:

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
Full name, date of birth, and last address of the deceased
Occupation and marital status
Spouse or civil partner details, if applicable
State pension or benefits information

Local Register Offices in Cornwall:

Truro Register Office

Truro Civic Centre, Lemon Quay, Truro, TR1 2NA
01872 224080
truro.gov.uk

Penzance Register Office

St Clare, Alverton Street, Penzance, TR18 4PT
01736 336439
penzance-tc.gov.uk

5. Arranging the Funeral

Once the death is registered, funeral arrangements can begin.

At Cornwall Direct Cremations, we provide:

Local care – Your loved one remains in Cornwall, never transported long distances
Compassionate support – Direct access to our experienced team
Transparent pricing – All-inclusive direct cremation (£1,095) with optional chapel visits (£160)

6. Handling Legal and Financial Matters

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Following the funeral, you may need to:

Notify banks, insurance companies, pension providers, utilities, and other institutions
Wills & probate – Executors manage the estate; intestacy rules apply if no will exists
Use Tell Us Once – Government service notifying HMRC, DVLA, DWP, and other agencies in one step (gov.uk)

Final Thoughts

Handling the death of a loved one is never easy but knowing what to do can ease the burden.

At Cornwall Direct Cremations, we provide support, guidance, and dignified care at every stage, helping families through this difficult time with reassurance and local expertise.

Call us 01726 850216 | EMail Us info@cornwalldirectcremations.com