Useful Information

WHERE THE DEATH OCCURED

At Home Or Nursing Home

The first thing to do is to contact the deceased's own G.P, or the doctor on call who comes out to certify the death. The doctor will issue a medical certificate confirming cause of death that is used to register the death at the registration office. If you opt for cremation, let the doctor know as certain paperwork needs to be completed.

Once the doctor has certified the death, contact McAtee Funeral Directors who will come out to discuss further details and the deceased will be removed from their place of death by the Funeral Director for preparation.

At Hospital Or Hospice

The doctor tending to the deceased during their illness will issue a medical certificate of cause of death. This may be done shortly after the death or perhaps the following morning, depending on the time of death and if the doctor is available.

The deceased will be removed to the mortuary, where the funeral director will liaise with the staff to organise the moving of the deceased to the funeral home. Contact McAtee   funeral directors at any time after the death and we will guide you in the right direction.

Sudden Death

If someone dies suddenly or tragically, the coroner will become involved and the deceased will be removed from the place of death by the coroners staff to the Regional City Mortuary where an examination of the deceased may be carried out to determine the cause of death. Any time after the death, contact McAtee Funeral Directors who will guide you in the right direction. In this situation the funeral may be delayed for a day or two due to the examination to be carried out.

ARRANGING THE FUNERAL

Once contact is made with McAtee Funeral Directors a funeral director will call with you to make arrangements. We will guide you through every step of arranging the funeral and our priority is to make sure that you can arrange the funeral for your loved one in the way you want. We will do our best to accommodate any special requests.
The decisions that you are presented with, when arranging a funeral include:

1. Is it going to be a burial or cremation?
2. Do you want a wake in the house, or to use the funeral home?
3. Which church the funeral will take place in?
4. What type of coffin?
5. Is the deceased to be dressed in their own clothes or a robe provided by McAtee FDS?
6. Do you want a removal to the church the night before the funeral?
7. What newspapers do you want the funeral notice to be published in?
8. Do you want flowers, music, booklets etc.?

McAtee’s will liaise on your behalf with the cemeteries, crematorium, newspapers, clergy, florists and advise you about the registration of the death. They will also, after the service, help with Funeral Payments Forms from the Social Fund and point you in the right direction for bereavement counselling.

REGISTERING THE DEATH

When Should I Register A Death?

By law, all deaths that occur in Northern Ireland must be registered. If the Coroner is involved, the registration will take place after the funeral. The registration office will phone to let you know when to register and this happens after two weeks or up to six months after the death depending on the circumstances. The Coroner can issue an interim death certificates in the meantime which can be used for any legal purposes.

What Do You Need In Order To Register A Death?

The medical certificate cause of death issued by a doctor will have been emailed to the registrar.

What Does It Cost To Register A Death?

There is no cost for registering a death. The only cost will be for certified copies of the death certificate if required.

Where Can A Death Be Registered?

With the Registrar at the office of Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages

If a medical certificate cause of death is issued by the doctor :

1. the death can be registered in any Registration Council Office.

If the coroner is involved the death must be registered:

1. in the district in which the person died, or
2. in the district in which the person normally lived.

Who Can Register A Death?

Any relative of the deceased who has knowledge of the details required to be registered (this includes a relative by marriage).

1. A person present at the death.
2. A person taking care of the funeral arrangements.
3. The executor or administrator of the deceased's estate.
4. The occupier, at the time of death, of the premises in which the death occurred.
5. A person finding the body, or
6. A person taking charge of the body.

What Information Will You Need To Give The Registrar?

1. Full name and surname of the deceased.
2. Date and place of death and usual address.
3. Marital status (single, married, civil partner, widowed, surviving civil partner or divorced).
4. Date and place of birth.
5. Occupation of the deceased (if the deceased was married or had a civil partner, the full names and occupation of the spouse/civil partner (or deceased spouse/civil partner) will be required.
6. If the deceased was a child, the full names and occupations of the parents will be required.
7. Maiden surname (if the deceased was a woman who had married).
8. Name and address of deceased GP.
9. There is also an option to include parent’s names and occupations if so desired.