Step-by-Step Guidance

Depending on where this person has died, there are different things you’ll need to do. If you’re in need of support and guidance, you can call us any time of the day or night on 020 3067 0068.

If someone dies in a care or nursing home, you or the care team can call us when a doctor has certified the death and we will come to collect your loved one with absolutely no obligation, and bring them into our care. The GP will need to be notified, who will provide a medical certificate showing the cause of death, and they will refer the case to the medical examiner who will call you – and then email the referral to the registry office in the borough of the care home so that you can make your appointment.

If the person has died in hospital, a medical certificate will be issued and the case referred to the Medical Examiner who will call you. They will then  email the referral to the local registry office. You will need to book to attend the Registry office in person to register within 5 working days of the referral. The deceased will usually be kept in the hospital mortuary until the death is registered and a funeral director is appointed.

If someone dies unexpectedly or they haven’t been seen by their GP in the last 14-28 days, their death will be reported to the coroner, who may call for a post-mortem or inquest. This may take some time and can delay the funeral, but we will guide you through your particular situation.

If this is an unexpected death, please call the ambulance team, the police will attend too and may take the person away for coroner investigation. We can advise you of what to expect if this happens.
If the death is expected, for example covered by a palliative care team or GP practice please let them know your news and they will send someone to verify the death. If out of working hours, then please call the out of hours NHS service on 111 and they will send a Harmony Doctor to pronounce. This service may take up to 6 hours, but you can warn us that the death has occurred, and then call again when the Doctor is present.
After the death has been verified, please call O’Dwyer on our number 24hrs a day on 020 3067 0068.
We will then arrange collection to bring them safely into our care. We can then advise you on timings, costs and logistics for the type of funeral you choose and timescales for whichever service you require.

What happens when you contact us

  • We will ask you for a few details about yourself and of the person who has died. We’ll then guide you through the options you have.

  • We will arrange to collect the person who has died and bring them into our care.

  • We will then arrange to meet you either at our premises in Ealing, or at your own home, whatever suits you best.

  • Details of the funeral will then be discussed. If there are any specific instructions we are more than happy to accommodate them or if you are unsure of what you would like we can talk you through our services. A written estimate will be provided so you know the costs upfront.

  • All our costs are available for you to see on our services menu. We try to be as transparent as possible, and to advise you on all your options and how to keep the costs down if you require this. There are many inexpensive ways to make a meaningful service, and options for assistance with payment too.

Registering the Death

The Registration rules changed on the 9th September 2024. You will now need to wait for a call from the Medical Examiner before the (MCCD) Medical Certificate Cause of Death is issued and sent to the registrar. This gives you the opportunity to raise any concerns and discuss the cause of death. Then, please call the local Registrar’s office of the borough where the person died. You should register the death within 5 working days from the MCCD being issued (rather than date of death as previously) they will give you an appointment time over the phone – or you can book this online with most boroughs for ease.

The cost of Death Certificates is now £12.50 (since summer of 2024)

During this time you can keep in close contact with us and we can provisionally hold a funeral date. 7-10 days from date of death is usually achievable, but 2-3 weeks is more common.

Email for fastest response from West London Coroners

For Deaths in Richmond or Kingston:  Email: RichmondandKingstonCoroners@lbhf.gov.uk
For Deaths in Ealing or Hillingdon: Email: EalingandHillingdonCoroners@lbhf.gov.uk
For Deaths in Hammersmith & Fulham or Hounslow: Email: HFandHounslowCoroners@lbhf.gov.uk

West London Coroners
5 Bagley’s Lane
Fulham
SW6 2QA

Court opening hours – Monday to Friday / 8am to 4pm

The North London Coroner’s Jurisdiction covers the five London Boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Harrow, Haringley and Enfield. The Coroners service, including the Coroner’s Court is run on behalf of the H.M. Coroner and the five boroughs by the London Borough of Haringey.
There are three public mortuaries in the jurisdiction: one in Haringey, one in Brent and Finchley Mortuary in Barnet.
Email: admin.beh@hmc-northlondon.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8447 7680

North London Corner’s Court
29 Wood Street
High Barnet
EN5 4BE

Court opening hours – Monday to Friday / 8am to 4pm