Advice for after a death Occurs

If the death occurs at home, the GP should be contacted at once to certify the death. If the death was expected, the GP will complete the Medical Cause of Death Certificate (MCoD). The MCoD will be required by the Registrar when registering the death. If the funeral is to be a repatriation abroad, it would be helpful to notify the GP at this time.

If you call the ambulance, please note that although the deceased will be sanctioned to be removed and taken to the masjid, the cause of death will not be issued. This will invariably add delays when the family want to bury the deceased or repatriate it abroad.

If the death occurs in a hospital, the nursing staff will contact the next of kin to inform them of the death. If this is you, you will be asked to visit the hospital and meet the Bereavement Officer. You will be given the Medical Cause of Death Certificate which will be required to register the death. You will also be given a Mortuary Release Form — this is required by a funeral director when we attend the hospital to collect the deceased to take to the masjid. If you know at this time that the funeral is to be a burial or repatriation, please let the Bereavement Officer know. He/she will then arrange for the Doctors to complete additional medical forms for the repatriation. When convenient, telephone us to make the funeral arrangements.

If the death occurs and is sudden or unexpected, contact the doctor who will confirm the death and then contact the coroner. The coroner will need to investigate the death and may request a postmortem to be performed. We request a one family member is assigned as a liaison with the coroner’s office. For more information and advice on dealing with the coroner’s office please contact the MAFD – Muslim Association of Funeral Directors.