What to Do

Parkinson's Funeral Advice Centre

 “Someone has died. What do I do now?”

The most important thing to know is that you do not have to deal with everything at once.

What you need to do first depends on where and how the person has died.

If the death was expected, contact the appropriate healthcare professional or organisation responsible for confirming the death. Once the death has been verified, you can contact J. Parkinson & Sons at any time, day or night, and we can guide you through what happens next.

If the death was unexpected, sudden or there are circumstances that require further investigation, the Coroner may become involved. We can explain the process and liaise with the relevant authorities on your behalf.

Our role is to take away as much of the practical burden as possible and help you make decisions when you are ready.

 

Death at home

If someone dies at home following an illness or where the death was expected, contact their GP or the appropriate healthcare service so that the death can be verified and the necessary medical certificate can be completed.

Once the death has been verified, you can contact us.

What happens next?

We will talk you through everything and arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care.

You don’t need to know exactly what funeral you want before calling us.

You can simply call us and ask what you need to do.

If the death was sudden or unexpected, the circumstances may be different and the Coroner may need to be involved.

 

Death in hospital

If your loved one dies in hospital, the hospital will normally guide you through the initial procedures and explain how you can obtain the necessary medical documentation.

You can contact us as soon as you wish.

We can then discuss your wishes and liaise with the hospital regarding bringing your loved one into our care.

You don’t need to wait until you have arranged the funeral before contacting us.

In fact, calling us early can make the process much easier, because we can explain what happens next and answer any questions you have.

 

Death in a care home

Care homes generally have established procedures for dealing with a death.

If the death was expected, the appropriate healthcare professional will verify the death and the necessary medical documentation will be arranged.

The care home will normally contact the appropriate people and explain what you need to do.

You can then contact J Parkinson & Sons.

We will liaise with the care home and arrange for your loved one to be brought into our care.

 

What happens if the death was unexpected?

If someone dies unexpectedly, suddenly or in circumstances that are unclear, the Coroner may need to investigate the death.

This can sound frightening, but it does not necessarily mean that anything suspicious has happened.

The Coroner’s involvement is often simply part of the legal process when a death was unexpected or the cause of death cannot immediately be established.

We can explain what is happening and keep you informed throughout the process.

You do not have to understand the Coroner’s procedure yourself. We can help guide you through it.

 

What happens if the Coroner is involved?

The Coroner is independent of the funeral director.

Where necessary, the Coroner will investigate the circumstances and cause of death.

This may mean that there is a delay before the funeral can take place.

We will liaise with the Coroner’s office and keep you informed about what is happening.

Once the Coroner releases your loved one into our care, we can proceed with the funeral arrangements.

Most importantly:

A Coroner’s investigation does not mean you cannot start making funeral arrangements.

You can speak to us straight away, discuss your wishes and begin planning. Some arrangements simply cannot be finalised until the Coroner has completed the necessary procedures.

 

How do I register the death?

A death normally needs to be registered with the local registrar.

The exact procedure depends upon the circumstances of the death and whether the Coroner is involved.

We can explain what you need to do and what documentation you will need.

Don’t worry if you don’t know how the registration process works.

This is something we deal with regularly and we can guide you through it.

 

How quickly do I need to arrange the funeral?

There is no need to make all the decisions immediately.

Although there are legal and practical considerations, you should not feel pressured into choosing the funeral arrangements while you are still trying to come to terms with your loss.

Contact us as soon as you feel ready.

We can begin by having a conversation, explaining your options and answering your questions.

You don’t have to decide everything during your first conversation with us.

 

Can I see my loved one?

In many circumstances, yes.

We have private facilities where your loved one can be cared for with dignity and respect, and we can discuss whether viewing is appropriate and what arrangements can be made.

Some families find spending time with their loved one an important part of saying goodbye.

Others choose not to.

There is no right or wrong choice.

We will explain the options and allow you to make the decision that feels right for you and your family.

 

What happens at the funeral home?

When your loved one comes into our care, they are treated with dignity and respect throughout.

We will explain what happens and discuss any wishes you have regarding their care.

You will have the opportunity to talk to us about the funeral, including:

1. Burial or cremation
2. Type of coffin
3. Funeral service
4. Celebrant or minister
5. Music
6. Flowers
7. Orders of service
8. Transport
9. Viewing
10. Personal tributes
11. Ashes and memorial arrangements

Our job isn’t to tell you what funeral you should have.

Our job is to help you create the funeral that is right for your family.

 

How much does a funeral cost in Rotherham?

There isn’t one fixed price because funerals can be very different.

The cost depends upon the choices you make, including whether you choose burial or cremation, the type of service, coffin, vehicles, flowers and other arrangements.

At J Parkinson & Sons, we believe families should be able to understand the costs clearly before making decisions.

We can provide a detailed estimate based on exactly what you want.

Direct cremation

We also offer direct cremation for families who want a simpler alternative.

Our current price is £1,695, including the cremation fee and coffin, with additional charges potentially applying in certain circumstances.

The important thing is that we will explain the costs before you commit to the arrangements.

 

What is a direct cremation?

A direct cremation is a cremation that takes place without mourners attending a funeral service at the crematorium.

It can be an appropriate choice for families who want a simple cremation and would prefer to remember their loved one in their own way.

It doesn’t mean that you can’t have a goodbye.

Some families choose to hold a memorial or celebration of life afterwards.

Others choose to have a private family gathering or simply remember their loved one together.

The important difference with J Parkinson & Sons

Direct cremation doesn’t mean that you have to deal with an anonymous online company.

Your loved one remains in the care of a local, independent family funeral director with more than 150 years of experience.

 

Can we have a memorial service after a direct cremation?

Absolutely.

A memorial service can take place before or after the ashes are returned, depending on what works best for your family.

It could be held at:

1. A church
2. A crematorium or other suitable venue
3. A community venue
4. A family home
5. Another location that has special meaning

There is no requirement for the memorial to look like a traditional funeral.

It can be as formal or informal as you want.

This is one of the advantages of direct cremation:

You can take your time deciding how you want to say goodbye.

 

What happens to the ashes?

Following cremation, the ashes are handled with care and returned to the family in accordance with the arrangements agreed with us.

You can then decide what feels right.

You may choose to:

1. Keep the ashes at home
2. Scatter them somewhere meaningful
3. Inter them in a cemetery
4. Place them in a memorial garden
5. Have a memorial item made
6. Share them between family members
7. Keep them until you feel ready to decide

There is no need to make this decision immediately.

 

Can I arrange a funeral before someone dies?

Yes.

Many people find it reassuring to discuss and record their funeral wishes in advance.

You can talk to us about the type of funeral you would like, your preferences regarding burial or cremation, music, readings, flowers and other personal choices.

Planning ahead can make things considerably easier for your family when the time comes.

We can also discuss funeral plans and the different ways funeral costs can be planned for in advance.

 

What happens if I can’t afford a funeral?

If you’re worried about the cost of a funeral, please tell us.

Don’t be embarrassed and don’t assume that there is nothing we can do.

We can explain the different funeral options and help you understand what is essential and what is optional.

A funeral does not have to include every traditional element.

For some families, a simple cremation may be the most appropriate and affordable choice.

There may also be financial assistance available depending on your circumstances.

We can explain what options you may be able to consider.

Most importantly:

Don’t make decisions based on fear of the cost. Talk to us first.

We will explain your options clearly and without pressure.

 

You don’t have to know what to do.

That’s why we’re here.

If someone has died and you’re unsure what happens next, call J Parkinson & Sons. We’re available 24 hours a day and will guide you through the next step.

J Parkinson & Sons — Independent Funeral Directors Since 1873.

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