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This guide provides practical, actionable advice on choosing respectful attire, alongside a deeper look at the cultural and historical roots of traditional funeral wear.

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors Medical Certificate of Cause of Death If the death was expected it is usual to have a doctor certify the death and issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. There are several locations in which an expected death may occur, you will need to be issued with a death certificate in each case before you can register the death and begin arrangements for the funeral: When someone dies at home When a death occurs at h

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors When someone dies, one of the first practical things you need to do is to register the death. Once you have, you will be given the paperwork you will need to arrange the funeral, notify government departments and settle the estate. Registering a death in the UK is quite simple. How long do you have to register a death? While you don’t have to do it right away, there is a time limit for registering a death. What th

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors If this is the first time you have experienced the death of a loved one, you may come across lots of funeral terminology that you have not heard before. Doctors, solicitors and funeral directors may use some of these words when talking about the arrangements that need to be made in the coming days and weeks. Here are some of the most commonly used funeral terms with their definitions. Administrator – The person respo

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors When someone’s death was unexpected, a coroner will investigate the death. A coroner’s hearing will also take place if someone took their own life, died from an industrial disease, or from medical negligence or an accident. What is a coroner? A coroner is a type of judge, who is appointed by the Crown. Their role is to hear the evidence presented by witnesses and experts, to determine the causes or circumstances o

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors What do you do when someone dies at home? If someone dies at home unexpectedly, you should call 999 and ask for police and ambulance services immediately. If the death was expected, for example if the person who died suffered from a terminal illness, then the doctor of the person who has died should be called. In most cases where the death is expected, the doctor will be able to provide a medical certificate notin

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors Notify the British authorities If you are with your loved one when they die abroad, you should contact the nearest British Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. They will be able to offer advice and help you with arrangements. If you are on a package holiday, tour operators or reps may be able to put you in touch with the right authorities. If you are at home in the UK when a loved dies abroad, you may be informed

March 2021 by James Harper Independent Funeral Directors What does next of kin mean? Next of kin generally refers to the person who has, or had, the closest relationship with a person who has died. In the United States, next of kin relationships are established in law, with a surviving spouse at the top of the list. But there is no next of kin status defined in UK law, so this can be open to interpretation. Generally, this is something that families work out between them