Funeral Arrangement Guidelines

R.C. Smallbone Funeral Director’s funeral arrangement guidelines

The following guidelines may be of some use if you are unsure what steps to take when you experience a bereavement.

Death occurred at a hospital

If a death occurs in hospital, the doctor or coroner provides a medical certificate giving the cause of death. The next of kin is required to sign a release form which passes the deceased into the care of the funeral director. The funeral director at this point would commonly take the deceased to the chapel of rest.

Death occurred at home

When a death occurs at home, if expected for some time, it is common to call the doctor who will come and issue a cause of death. Unexpected deaths at home are referred to the coroner to issue a medical certificate with the cause of death.

Registering death

The death must be registered within five days at the local registry office, and requires the medical certificate to be presented. Once the death is registered, you will be issued with a green certificate which allows the funeral director to carry out the burial or cremation.

Death certificate

The death certificate is provided by the registrar and is required to deal with the administration and financial issues of the bereaved including the will, property and money left by them.

You can rely on the funeral director to carry out roles including:

  • Collection of the body of the deceased to the resting place, and transport to and from the funeral location in the desired method of transport.
  • Working with the funeral venue to arrange all aspects of the funeral including floral tributes, transport for the close family members and friends of the deceased, catering and music.
  • Provide and present the coffin of choice.
  • Ensuring all the necessary payments and documents for the deceased are completed.

Visit our funeral services page to find out what R.C. Smallbone can do for you. Don’t hesitate to contact us to discuss funeral arrangements or find out more.


Don’t hesitate to contact R.C. Smallbone Funeral Directors to find out more about what we can do for you. You can call us today on

01635 40536

What our clients have to say

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank both you and Neale for the sensitive and compassionate nature you conducted yourselves during this difficult time for us. The quality of the service provided eased our suffering. Everyone who attended my wife's funeral had nothing but praise for the service at the crematorium and printed service cards."
"Thank you for your help and support in dealing with the arrangements and for Neale's kindness in what was a difficult situation"
"On behalf of my family and friends I would like to send a huge thank you to Neale and everyone at R.C. Smallbone for all your support, kindness and fantastic service you have provided for dad's funeral yesterday and over the past couple of weeks. You have made this difficult time a lot easier for us and I will always remember dad's goodbye with the professional and personal touch that you have provided."
"I am writing to express my sincere thanks to you and the rest of the team at R.C. Smallbone for you continued professionalism and compassion...The service we have received from you and your colleagues has been very significant in reducing the emotional burden during what was always going to be a distressing time."

Telephone

01635 40536

Email

[email protected]

Hours

Monday – Friday
9.00 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.

However we are available on the telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Address

37 Pound Street
Newbury
Berkshire
RG14 6AE

Email Contact Form