Funeral Advice

It is difficult to consider the practical aspects when experiencing bereavement. This section may be helpful to you through the initial stages of the process. We offer a 24 hour service on 0161 211 6742 if you need any professional help, guidance or services.

If the death was expected for medical reasons, you should proceed to contact the deceased’s doctor, who will visit the home to certify the death and determine the cause of death. It is important to remember not to call the police if the death is expected. The doctor will then issue a form called the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the relatives. This form contains a list of who can register the death at the local Registrar, known as Informants, and what information the Registry Office requires. If the doctor cannot determine the cause of death, then the doctor will refer the death to a coroner.

If the death was unexpected, call the police as soon as possible.

When a death occurs in hospital, the nursing staff will notify the relatives as soon as possible. The relatives should then arrange to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the hospital, and any personal possessions of the deceased. Depending on the hospital, the hospital may issue a Release Form, which needs to be signed by the next of kin. This allows for the deceased to be released into the care of the chosen funeral home.

If the death occurs away from home in the UK, then the doctor or hospital staff in that area will complete the formalities stated above. If relatives wish for the funeral service to be held in another area in the UK, then arrangements in both areas can be taken care of by HK Funeral Services.

Registration of a death should, in most cases, be completed before the funeral – a relative of the deceased normally undertakes this. However, if no relative is available, then the duty may be completed by a person present at the time of the death, the occupier of the premises where the death occurred, or the individual who is accepting responsibility for arranging the funeral. It is important to arrange an appointment with the Registrar for registering the death.

The Registrar requires the following information about the deceased:

Their full name
Their full address
The date and place of their birth
Details of where and when the person died
Their occupation
If they were to receive a pension or allowance from public funds
If married, the maiden name and date of birth of surviving spouse

The Registrar requires the following documents:

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. However, if the coroner is involved (for a post mortem or open inquest case) there will be no Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. We will be able to explain the procedures to you.
If available, the deceased’s National Health Service medical card
The Registrar may also require the Birth Certificate and Marriage Certificate (if applicable), if available

Choosing a plot for burial

We will help you check the local regulations and availability
You may already have a family plot, which we can arrange to be reopened
If you would like other additional plots close by, you may want to place a reservation
After the burial, you will need to consider whether you want a memorial headstone or a new inscription on an existing headstone. We have our own stonemasons who have the expertise and knowledge to engrave both Western and traditional Chinese inscription
Costs you need to consider for a burial cost include: the purchase of a new grave, reopening an existing grave, and the removal and replacement of existing memorials

Points to consider for a cremation

A crematorium is the building where cremations are held
The funeral service can be held at the crematorium or elsewhere before going to crematorium
You will need to consider the final resting place of the ashes. You may decide to keep the ashes in an urn, scatter them, or bury them. Many crematoriums have a Garden of Remembrance where you could have a memorial
The charges of the crematorium varies depending on the area. We can help you check the costs for the crematoria in a specific area