Why choose a NAFD Member?
No one ever wants to organise a funeral but when the inevitable happens it is reassuring to know that a National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) member firm will guide you through the process and help you make arrangements at what can be a very upsetting time.
Find a Funeral Director
By selecting a funeral directing firm which is a member of the NAFD, you can be sure the business is committed to meeting your particular needs and to providing you with the very best quality of service. To find your nearest Funeral Director, please use our:
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a relative dies at home?
When a death which has been expected occurs at home or at a nursing home, the Doctor who has been treating the deceased should be contacted. The Doctor or a colleague will either attend to confirm that death has occurred, or will give permission for the deceased to be transferred to a Funeral Director's premises, if this is your wish.
You can then contact the Funeral Director of your choice, who will attend to transfer the deceased to their premises.
The doctor says he won't issue the Medical Certificate. Why is this?
The doctor can only issue the Certificate if he knows the cause of death, and has been treating the deceased for this illness in the last 14 days. If this is not the case, or if there are other circumstances involved (such as a recent operation, or a possible industrial disease), the Doctor will have to refer the death to the Coroner.
If the death has occurred at home, the Coroner will arrange for the deceased to be taken into his custody, in order that the death can be investigated.
Why do I have to register the death?
All deaths have to be registered, and the people closest to the deceased have a legal obligation to do this. Deaths in England and Wales or Northern Ireland should be registered within 5 days - if this is not going to be possible, you should inform the Registrar. In Scotland, deaths must be registered within 8 days.
Arranging a Funeral
The funeral director tailors a funeral service to meet the family’s wishes and to comply with the law.
Here is a guide to the kind of support and range of services you can expect from your chosen funeral director.
» Visit Arranging a Funeral Section
Bereavement Advice Centre
The Bereavement Advice Centre is a not for profit organisation established in response to requests from funeral directors, registrars and hospital bereavement officers.
They provide a single contact number to help with the practical issues of what to do when someone dies.
