We’ve put together some of the most frequently asked questions below to help guide you. If you can’t find the answer you need, please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re here to support you.
When someone dies, the doctor who was caring for them will notify the Medical Examiner, who will review the cause of death and speak with the next of kin.
Once this process is complete, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be issued and sent to the Register Office.
In some cases, such as when the death is sudden or the doctor is unavailable, the death may need to be referred to the Coroner. This can sometimes cause a delay in registering the death
If your loved one passed away within the Bradford and Keighley Registration District, you can register the death at Bradford City Hall or Keighley Town Hall.
If they passed away in Halifax, the death should be registered at Halifax Register Office.
This timescale begins once the necessary paperwork has been completed and sent to the Register Office.
In some circumstances, such as when the death has been referred to the Coroner, there may be a delay.
By law one of the following people can register the death of your loved one:
You need the following information to register a death:
It is helpful to bring documents such as passport, driving licence, birth certificate, marriage certificate or NHS number if available, but these are not always essential
When you register a death you can buy one or more death certificates at a cost of £12.50 each.
The registrar will also issue a certificate for the burial or cremation of the body. You should give this to the Funeral Director or person who is making the arrangements. A funeral cannot proceed until this certificate is given to the burial authority or the crematorium.
Our costs cover our professional services, care of your loved one and the arrangements we make on your behalf.
There are also third-party costs such as crematorium or cemetery fees, officiant fees and any other items such as flowers, orders of service or newspaper notices which are not included and charged separately.
We will always provide a clear, itemised estimate so you know exactly what is included, with no hidden charges.
You do not need to contact a Funeral Director immediately, but many families find it helpful to do so as soon as they feel ready.
If your loved one passes away at home, you should first contact their GP or the out-of-hours doctor. If the death is unexpected or you are unsure what to do, you should call 999 for assistance.
Most funerals currently take place around 2-4 weeks after the death.
This can vary depending on factors such as availability at the crematorium or cemetery or if the death has been referred to the Coroner.
Direct Cremations can usually take place much sooner as they do not involve a service or ceremony.
Arranging the funeral itself can be done quite quickly once you meet with us. We will guide you through everything at a pace that feels right for you and your family.