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When someone close to you dies

 

There is always shock and grief and there are many things that need to be done. Grieving is natural affecting all people differently. You may experience a mixture of emotions such as numbness, shock, disbelief, grief and sometimes anger. It may help to share these feelings with friends and relatives who may also share the same feelings of loss.​

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What are the next steps?

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Following the death of a relative or friend there are certain formalities to which you must attend. The most important things you need to consider first are:

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• Registering the death

• Choosing a Funeral Director

• Deciding whether there is to be a burial or cremation​​

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1. Medical certificate of cause of death​

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In order to register a death, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death must be issued by a doctor.

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2. Make contact with a Funeral Director​

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You may contact a Funeral Director as soon as you wish. You can inform a Funeral Director of a death before you obtain a death certificate. There may be a need to check if the deceased has made a Will and has left specific instruction regarding the funeral arrangements. Funeral Directors will be able to give you support and advice on many of the things you need to think about.

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3. Registering the death

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Where to Register

The death needs to be registered at the office of the Registrar of Birth and Deaths nearest to where the person died:

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Rhondda Cynon Taff: 01443 494024

Merthyr Tydfil: 01685 727333

Bridgend: 01656 642392/93/94/91

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When to register

As soon as you have been informed that a Medical Certificate for the Cause of Death has been sent to the Registrar, arrangements can be made to register the death. A death must be registered within five working days following the death unless referred to the Coroner.

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Who may register a death?

It is usually a relative that registers the death. If it is not possible for a relative to register the death, the Registrar can give you advice on who may register.

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Once you have registered the death you will be issued with two certificates. These will be sent to you by first class post.

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1. Death Certificate. The Registrar will issue you with as many death certificates as you require although all copies are chargeable. Photocopies are not usually acceptable for matters such as banking, insurance etc.

2. Certificate of Burial / Cremation (known as the "Green Form"). This form needs to be given to the Funeral Director.

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In addition to the above, you will be issued with a Registration/ Notification of death form which needs to be completed and returned to the Department of Work and Pensions (known as the "White Form").

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4. Items that may need returning

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Following the death of an individual, certain items will need to be returned to the issuer. These may include passport, national insurance card, library cards, season tickets, driving licence, NHS loaned equipment, order books/giro cheques and Pension books. When doing this please remember to make a note of any identifiable numbers for future reference.

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Unused medication should be returned to a pharmacy, and should not be flushed down the sink or toilet.

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Financial help may be required and it is possible that you may qualify for help from the state. You can contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 169190 for details.

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Some useful telephone numbers

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Coroner's Office: 01443 281100
Pensions Office: 0800 7310469​
Probate Registry of Wales: 02920 474373​​​