Bereavement support

Funerals and other considerations after a death

Funerals

We may not be able to give an exact date as to when we can release your family member. However, it is advisable to appoint a funeral director as soon as possible to discuss requirements for the funeral service. 

If you inform the funeral director that the coroner is involved, they will be familiar with the process and will know what to do. Please do not book a funeral date until you are advised by the Coroners Officers.  

A funeral director manages a funeral home and will assist in arranging elements of the funeral, such as submitting legal documents. The choice of a funeral director is a matter for you.  

There are many options you can consider for the ceremony and burial of a loved one. It is important to take into account the wishes of the deceased. 

The Bereavement Advice Centre has helpful and practical information on the funeral process from start to finish.

Costs  

Funerals can cost more than you may expect.  

If you already receive certain benefits, you may be able to get assistance with funeral costs.

Moving a body

Once either the death has been registered or a Coronial judicial decision has taken place, there is no restriction on moving a body within England and Wales. 

However, you need to tell the coroner for the district if you want to move a body to Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands, or overseas. 

To do this you will need to fill out a form, which you can obtain from a coroner.

You will need to give the completed form to the coroner, along with any certificate for burial or cremation. The coroner will let you know when the body can be moved. This is usually after 4 days. However, in urgent situations, the whole process can usually be fast-tracked.

If somebody dies abroad, there is no need to register here. You can obtain information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website.

If your family member is repatriated to the Northamptonshire Coronial District, your Funeral Director will contact the service for next steps. In some circumstances, the Coroner may require a post-mortem or Inquest.

Body, organ or tissue donation

Donating a body is a difficult decision to make, it may help to know the positive and respectful ways body, organ and tissue donations are used. They are highly valued by staff and students at medical schools and could be used for a number of purposes:

• anatomical examination - to aid in teaching students and healthcare professionals
• research - scientific studies that improve our current knowledge of the human body and help in developing better responses within the medical world
• education and training - training healthcare professionals in surgical techniques

Find out more from Human Tissue Authority information on donating a body.

Registering your decision whether or not to donate your organs and tissue

Regardless of where you live in the UK, the NHS Organ Donor Register allows you to record your decision about donating your organs and tissue after you die. You do not have to register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register. It is sufficient for you to tell your family and friends of your decision or put it in writing.

If you do not want to donate your organs or tissue, and do not register your objection, your relatives will be given the opportunity to show evidence that you did not want to donate. You can also appoint a representative(s) to make the decision on your behalf after you die.

If you have registered your decision to donate, there is no legal right for your family to overrule your consent. However, families are involved in sensitive discussions about organ and tissue donation. For further information, please visit the NHS Organ Donation website.

Last updated 19 August 2024