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| The following information will help guide you through the arrangements and procedures in the event of a bereavement. On Death at home A Doctor should be called as soon as possible after a death has occurred to certify the cause of death and issue a Medical Certificate, (a locum doctor may attend in which case a certificate will not be available until the deceased’s doctor is on duty). After this you can contact a Funeral Director. Contact D.C. Mercer & Son on 01424 421805 and we will be pleased to discuss the necessary arrangements with you. |
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| • Register the death at the local Registry Office (Hastings Registry Office Tel. 01424 721722 to make an appointment), taking with you the following information: - The full name (including maiden name if necessary) of the deceased. - The deceased’s home address. - Place of death. - The date and place of birth of the deceased (if known). - The deceased’s occupation, and, if female, the name and occupation of her husband. - The deceased’s medical card (if available). - Information on whether the deceased was receiving a pension or other state benefits. • Obtain the Death Certificate including any further copies. |
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| The Registrar will issue a Death Certificate once all the information is complete. We recommend that you calculate how many extra copies are required and obtain them at this time, unless you are using a Solicitor to finalise the estate, as they are often needed for insurance and other legal purposes. Together with the Death Certificate you will also receive a certificate for Burial or Cremation (Green Form) which will be required by D.C. Mercer & Son to enable the funeral to proceed. You will also be given a certificate of registration (white form) this will be required by the DSS and should be posted to them in the envelope provided. If the Doctor is unsure of the cause of death, the Coroner will be required to conduct an investigation. You will be unable to register the death until he has concluded his findings. Some questions D.C. Mercer & Son will be asking you: • Did the deceased wish to be buried or cremated? • Will a Church service be required? • Where is the committal to take place? • Which date and time would be preferable? • Will you require music? • Did the deceased express any wishes regarding the disposal of the cremated remains? • Have you a chosen venue for the funeral reception?* • Will you need to organise any floral tributes* or donations to a preferred charity? * D.C. Mercer & Son can arrange these on your behalf. |
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| You will also need to inform a number of people regarding the death: - Executor - Solicitor - Assurance Company - Insurance Companies - Building Society - Bank - Credit Card Companies - Store Card Companies - DSS - Inland Revenue - Accountant - T.V. licence - Television Company - Local suppliers. eg. Newsagent, Dairy, Gas/Electricity |
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| Helpful Contacts |
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| D.C. Mercer & Son 29 Sedlescombe Road North St Leonards on Sea Tel: 01424 421805 e-mail: enquiries@dcmercer.co.uk Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm Mrs Sue Gladman Patient’s Affairs Officer Conquest Hospital The Ridge, St Leonards on Sea Tel: 01424 755255 Ext. 8398 The Reverend David Jeffreys Hospital Chaplain Conquest Hospital The Ridge, St Leonards on Sea Tel: 01424 755255 Ext. 8311 Hastings and St Leonards Registry Office Summerfields Bohemia Road, Hastings Tel: 01424 721722 |
Inland Revenue 87 London Road, St Leonards on Sea Tel: 01424 462000 Benefits Agency Heron House, 149 - 159 London Road St Leonards on Sea Tel: 01424 452000 Coroner’s Officer Hastings Police Station Bohemia Road, Hastings Tel: 01424 456009 |
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| Death in Hospital If a death has occurred in hospital you will need to make an appointment to see the Patients’ Affairs Officer. They will arrange a suitable time for you to collect the Medical Certificate of the cause of death and the deceased’s belongings. D.C. Mercer & Son can take care of all arrangements for you. |
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| Registration It is a legal requirement that a death must be registered by the executor, next of kin or person present at the death, at the Registry Office in the area in which the death has occurred. The address and telephone number of the Registry Office (Hastings Registry Office can be contacted on 01424 721722) can usually be found on the envelope containing the Medical Certificate. This is then given to the Registrar, who will also require the following information: - The full name (including maiden name if necessary) of the deceased. - The deceased’s home address. - Place of death. - The date and place of birth of the deceased (if known). - The deceased’s occupation, and, if female, the name and occupation of her husband. - The deceased’s medical card (if available). - Information on whether the deceased was receiving a pension or other state benefits. |
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| The Registrar will issue a Death Certificate once all the information is complete. We recommend that you calculate how many extra copies are required and obtain them at this time, unless you are using a Solicitor to finalise the estate, as they are often needed for insurance and other legal purposes. Together with the Death Certificate you will also receive a certificate for Burial or Cremation (Green Form) which will be required by D.C. Mercer & Son to enable the funeral to proceed. You will also be given a certificate of registration (white form) this will be required by the DSS and should be posted to them in the envelope provided. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accommodation |
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| This is a small selection of popular venues who have full accommodation and catering facilities: | ||||||||||||||||||
| Beauport Park Hotel Battle Road, Hastings Tel: 01424 851222 Royal Victoria Hotel Marina, St Leonards on Sea Tel : 01424 445544 |
Cinque Ports Hotel Bohemia Road, Hastings Tel: 01424 439222 High Beech Hotel Battle Road, Hastings 01424 851383 |
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| We can also arrange suitable catering facilities in your own home or private hall if required. The venues listed above are offered as a recommendation only and no payment has been received by D.C. Mercer & Son. D.C. Mercer & Son cannot accept any responsibility for the arrangements unless we are undertaking the booking on your behalf. |
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| Florists |
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| If requested we can arrange floral tributes for you or, if desired we can supply a list of Florists so you can select flowers of your choice. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Click for easy print version of this page | ||||||||||||||||||