Timeline & What to Expect

What usually happens:

• A doctor confirms the death.
• Your loved one is cared for and brought into the care of a funeral director when you're ready.

What you need to do:

• Contact a GP if the death occurred at home and was expected.
• Or call emergency services if the death was unexpected.
• Begin thinking about which funeral director you'd like to support you.

How we help: Gill's Funeral Care can be contacted at any time. We'll guide you gently through the next steps and bring your loved one into our care with dignity.

What usually happens:

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is issued.
• If needed, the coroner may be involved.

What you need to do:

• Start gathering basic information for registering the death: full name, date of birth, address, and NHS number if available.

What to expect emotionally: This period can feel surreal. Many families are still processing what's happened.

What usually happens:

• The death is officially registered.

What you need to do:

• Attend the register office appointment.
• Receive:
  • Death certificates.
  • The green form, allowing the funeral to go ahead.

Tip: It's worth getting multiple copies of the death certificate, as you'll need them for banks and legal matters.

What usually happens:

• Funeral arrangements are made.
• A date, time, and location are agreed.

What you need to decide:

• Burial or cremation.
• Type of service: religious, non-religious, or celebration of life.
• Music, readings, and personal touches.

How we help: We guide you through every decision at your pace. You don't need to know everything upfront.

What usually happens:

• The funeral takes place.

What to expect on the day:

• A structured, supported service.
• Time for reflection, remembrance, and saying goodbye.

There's no right way to feel. Some people find comfort in the ceremony and others find it difficult. Both are completely normal.

What usually happens:

• Practical matters begin to surface.

What you may need to do:

• Use the Tell Us Once service.
• Notify banks, utilities, and pension providers.
• Begin handling the estate if applicable.

This stage can feel unexpectedly heavy, even after the funeral has passed.

Grief doesn't follow a timeline.

You may find:

• Some days feel manageable.
• Others feel just as difficult as the beginning.

There is no moving on, only learning to live alongside loss.