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What to do when someone has died
We know this can be an overwhelming and difficult time. Take a moment, and when you feel ready, we are here to guide you through the next steps.
Need immediate help?
If someone has died and you are unsure what to do, please call us. We will talk you through the next steps calmly and clearly.
01324 562 100
We are here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You can call Cowan Funeral Directors at any time. We are here to guide you through the next steps and answer any questions, even if you are not yet ready to make funeral arrangements.
When someone dies at home
If the death was expected
Step 1: Contact the doctor or GP surgery
If the death happens during surgery hours, contact the person’s GP. A doctor will normally arrange for the death to be verified and will prepare the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, often called the MCCD.
In Scotland, the MCCD is now generally sent electronically by the GP surgery to the registration office chosen by the family. You may not need to collect a paper certificate, but the surgery or registrar will confirm what is needed.
If the death happens outside normal surgery hours, an out-of-hours doctor may attend to verify the death. The MCCD will usually be completed later by the person’s usual GP when the surgery re-opens.
Step 2: Call Cowan Funeral Directors
Once the death has been verified, please call us. We will explain what happens next, arrange to bring the person who has died into our care, and talk you through the first decisions that may need to be made.
You can also call us before this point if you would like reassurance or guidance while waiting for the doctor.
If the death was unexpected
Step 1: Call 999
If the death was unexpected, call the ambulance service immediately. They will attend and advise you what happens next.
Step 2: Call Cowan Funeral Directors
Once the death has been officially confirmed and you have been told that you can contact a funeral director, please call us. We will guide you through the next steps and explain what will happen.
When someone dies in hospital
When someone dies in hospital, the hospital staff will guide you through the immediate steps. They will usually arrange for the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, or MCCD, to be completed.
In Scotland, the MCCD is now generally sent electronically from the hospital to the registration office chosen by the family. The registrar will need this before the death can be registered.
Please remember to collect any personal belongings from the hospital when you are ready.
You can then call Cowan Funeral Directors. We will talk you through the first steps towards arranging the funeral and explain how we will bring the person who has died into our care.
Call us: 01324 562 100
If the death was sudden or unexpected
Some deaths must be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. This can include sudden, accidental, unexplained, violent or suspicious deaths.
The Procurator Fiscal is responsible for investigating certain deaths in Scotland. Their role is to understand the cause and circumstances of the death. In some cases, they may instruct a post-mortem examination.
If the death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal, the funeral cannot take place until the Procurator Fiscal has authorised the release of the person who has died. This can feel worrying, but it is a normal legal process in these circumstances.
The police may be involved in gathering information, and the person who has died may be taken to a mortuary by a contractor acting on behalf of the police. This contractor may be a funeral director, but you are not required to use them to arrange the funeral.
You are free to choose your own funeral director.
You can still contact Cowan Funeral Directors while the Procurator Fiscal process is ongoing. We can begin discussing arrangements with you, liaise with the relevant parties where appropriate, and help you understand possible timescales.
Call us at any time if you need guidance
Registering the death
Some deaths must be reported to the Procurator Fiscal. This can include sudden, accidental, unexplained, violent or suspicious deaths.
The Procurator Fiscal is responsible for investigating certain deaths in Scotland. Their role is to understand the cause and circumstances of the death. In some cases, they may instruct a post-mortem examination.
If the death is reported to the Procurator Fiscal, the funeral cannot take place until the Procurator Fiscal has authorised the release of the person who has died. This can feel worrying, but it is a normal legal process in these circumstances.
The police may be involved in gathering information, and the person who has died may be taken to a mortuary by a contractor acting on behalf of the police. This contractor may be a funeral director, but you are not required to use them to arrange the funeral.
You are free to choose your own funeral director.
You can still contact Cowan Funeral Directors while the Procurator Fiscal process is ongoing. We can begin discussing arrangements with you, liaise with the relevant parties where appropriate, and help you understand possible timescales.
Call us at any time if you need guidance
