One Family Looking after Another, The way it should be. We're here because we care.
Stuart Poulton House, High Road, North Weald, Epping, CM16 6BU
The Only Poulton Family Funeral Directors
WHAT TO DO NEXT
When a Death Occurs
Losing someone close to you is one of the most difficult experiences in life. This page has been designed to guide you through the immediate steps following a bereavement. Our experienced team of funeral arrangers are here to provide support, advice and reassurance throughout the process of making funeral arrangements.
When a Death Occurs at Home,
in a Nursing Home or Hospice
If the death occurs at home, you will need to contact the deceased’s doctor, or the out-of-hours service, so a doctor can attend and confirm the death.
✓ If the death occurs in a nursing home or hospice, the staff will usually contact the on-call doctor on your behalf.
✓ Once the doctor has confirmed the death, a Confirmatory Medical Certificate will be issued.
✓ If this happens outside normal surgery hours, an on-call doctor may attend and provide a letter for the next of kin. The certificate can then be collected from the doctor’s surgery once it is ready.
As soon as a doctor has attended, the funeral director may then bring your loved one into their care.
When a Death Occurs
in Hospital
If death occurs in hospital, administrative staff will advise when the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is ready for collection. This certificate will be needed in order to register the death and proceed with funeral arrangements.
When a Death is
Unexpected
If a death is sudden or the cause is uncertain, the attending doctor must notify the local Coroner. This is standard procedure. The Coroner may arrange for the deceased to be taken to a local hospital where an examination could be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.
In these circumstances, the funeral may be delayed until investigations are complete. The Coroner’s officer will liaise directly with the next of kin and keep you informed of all necessary procedures.
We Are Here to Help
We understand that this can feel overwhelming, particularly in the days immediately following a bereavement. Please remember you are not alone — our family team are here to guide you with care and understanding.
📞 For immediate support, please contact us on 01992 572 607 (Epping) or 01992 522 607 (North Weald).