WHAT TO DO WHEN A DEATH OCCURS

When a death certificate has been issued by the doctor it must be shown to the registrar, who will record the death.

ARRANGING THE FUNERAL

Check to see if there are any instructions by the deceased. If not it is up to the nearest relative to decide on a burial or cremation.

Requests made by the person need not always be followed, but if the will states the person does not want to be cremated it must be obeyed.

The service does not have to be religious and relatives can design their own type of tribute.

Decisions have to be made if flowers are wanted or whether donations should be made to a named charity.

CREMATION

No one can be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known.

Funeral directors will make arrangements for the completion of all necessary documents.

Ashes can be kept, scattered in a garden of remembrance or favourite spot, or buried in a churchyard or cemetery.

BURIAL

Find out if the person who died has already arranged a grave space in a churchyard or cemetery by checking through the will and looking at their papers.

The Church of England has set fees for a funeral service and burial and for the erection of a headstone. Extra fees include an organist, choir and the burial of someone who did not live in the parish.

Cemeteries will charge a deed of grant if a grave space has already been paid for.