What to Do When Someone Dies

Dealing with bereavement can be a very traumatic time and we as funeral directors are here to help you through your loss. When a death occurs at home or in a nursing home a first point of contact is usually your doctor, an out of hour’s doctor’s service, or the ambulance services.

Once a death has been confirmed we can be contacted to offer our 24 hour a day personal service. In these circumstances the deceased’s usual medical attendant will issue a certificate of cause of death suitable for registration at their earliest convenience. They will send the certificate directly to the registrars.

Doctor’s  Surgeries

Llanfair Surgery, Llanfair Road, Llandovery, SA20 0HY. TEL 01550 720648
Cadog Surgery, Llangadog, SA19 9BR. TEL 01550 777156
Meddygfa Teilo, Llandeilo, SA19 6HL. TEL 01558 823435
Lampeter Medical Practice, Talieisin Court, Lampeter, SA48 7AA. TEL 01570 422665
Llanwrtyd Surgery, Ffos Road, Llanwrtyd Wells, LD5 4RG. TEL 01591 610257
Builth Surgery, Glandwr Parc, Builth Wells, LD2 3DZ. TEL 01982 552207
Sennybridge Health Centre, Defynnog Road, Sennybridge, LD3 8RY.TEL 01874 636559
Brecon Medical Group, Ty Henry Vaughan, Bridge Street, Brecon, LD3 8AH. TEL 01874 622121

Death can sometimes occur unexpectedly and then the confirming doctor will contact the coroner who will be notified of the passing.  His representatives will then contact us directly to transfer your loved one to the coroner’s nominated hospital for further investigation and possibly a post mortem. He will contact you directly to discuss his findings further.

If a death has occurred within a hospital you will receive the contact details of the Relatives Service/ bereavement Officer, who will direct you to the appropriate registrar’s office.

Hospitals

Glangwili Hospital, Carmarthen, SA31 2AF. Tel 01267 235151 (ask for the Bereavement Officer on bleep 161.)
Prince Philip Hospital, Llanelli, SA14 8QF. TEL 01554 756567 (ask for the Bereavement Officer on bleep 754.)
Morriston Hospital, Morriston, Swansea, SA6 6NL. TEL 01792 702222
Singleton Hospital, Sketty, Swansea, SA2 8QA. Tel 01267 235151
Llandovery Cottage Hospital, Llandovery, SA20 0LA. TEL 01550 722200
Builth Wells Cottage Hospital, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3HE. TEL 01982 552221
Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, NP7 7EG. TEL 01873 732732
Brecon War Memorial Hospital, LD3 7NS. TEL 01874 622443

Medical Examiner Service

The Medical Examiner Service for Wales provides independent scrutiny of all deaths that occur in Wales that are not referred directly for investigation to Her Majesty’s Coroner.

The introduction of the Medical Examiner Service means that the bereaved will have the opportunity to speak to someone who wasn’t involved in the care of their loved one but who is able to listen to any concerns there may be about the care provided and to explain in more detail the cause of death and the circumstances that led up to it.

Where the Medical Examiner believes that a more thorough and in depth investigation into a death is needed they will be able to ensure that this happens and that the results of that investigation are fed back to the bereaved. This has not always been the case before and has sometimes led to people believing that either their concerns have not been listened to at all, or that they have been listened to but have been ignored or covered up in some way.

Registration

Once the registrars have received a certificate of cause of death you will be able to register the death. We can advise you on which registration office is appropriate. You will be able to purchase copies of the entry in the register to notify insurances, banks etc. The registrar will also issue you with a green disposal certificate, which will enable us to proceed with the funeral arrangements.

Online Booking is Available :Carmarthenshire Death Registration

Registrars Offices

CARMARTHEN Parc Myrddin, Richmond Terrace, Carmarthen, SA31 1HQ TEL 01267 228210
AMMANFORD 3B, Wind Street, Ammanford, SA18 3DN 01269 598300
LLANELLI Town Hall, Town Hall Square, Llanelli, SA15 3AH. TEL 01554 744202
BRECON Neuadd Brycheiniog, Cambrian Way, Brecon, LD3 7HR. TEL 01597 827468
LLANDRINDOD The Gwalia, Ithon Road, LD1 6AA. TEL 01597 827468
LAMPETER 21 High Street, Lampeter, SA48 7BG. TEL 01970 633580

Making Funeral Arrangements

We suggest that you contact us as soon as the death of your loved one has been confirmed. We will then either come to your home or you can visit us at our premises at a time to suit you. Once we have confirmed the arrangements we will offer a full estimate of costs and a written confirmation.

Help with Funeral Costs

You may be entitled to help from the social fund if you are already receiving benefits. Please visit the link to www.direct.gov.uk and search for funeral payments, for more information and to download an application form. Please also feel free to discuss payment options with us should you require further assistance.

Alternative Funerals

In a changing and evolving society we are happy to give as much or as little assistance to families, who may feel they wish to play a larger and more fulfilling role in the funeral arrangements and service. In today’s society funerals no longer follow a set pattern of events and we are happy to assist with areas of the arrangements, which you may not feel so comfortable with arranging personally.

Counselling

If you require support and general guidance in the months following your loved ones passing, help can be found by visiting www.nhs.uk/coping-with-bereavement

SAIF CARE: Saif care

Cruse Bereavement Care: www.cruse.org.uk

National Bereavement Alliance

HUW MACRAE JONES COUNSELLING & PSYCHOTHERAPY. TEL 07449 491494, www.huwmacraejones.com

01550 720636 / 01558 824344