First steps
Agreeing to bring your loved one into our care, and when.
- We’ll provide confirmation of the location and nearby branches.
- It’s not goodbye. Parents and family can spend time with their child whether that’s at home or in our branch. We have a cuddle cot, designed to allow families of very small babies, precious time to say goodbye at home. It’s possible to leave blankets, toys, books or other keepsakes which give comfort to grieving families.
Registration
In most cases, the registrar will contact you to make an appointment once they receive the relevant certification.
For babies under 24 weeks, your midwife or doctor will provide a medical certificate which they send to the registrars.
For babies who died between 24 weeks and term, the hospital will prepare a medical certificate for stillbirth. This will also be sent directly to the registrars.
Babies who were born but did not draw breath receive a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), also referred to as Form 11. This is sent directly to the registrars as both the birth and death will have to be registered, along with the baby’s name.
Older babies and children (up to 16 years old) receive a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), also referred to as Form 11. This is sent directly to the registrars.
In England
Doctors will liaise with the Medical Examiner after which the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is issued to the Registrar. Once it is received by them, registrations must be completed within 5 days.
In Scotland (except Dundee, Fife and Angus)
Doctors send the MCCD to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages who will contact families to arrange to register the death by appointment locally. In some areas this could be within 3 days, others may take up to a week.
Dundee, Fife and Angus based families
Families will be asked to contact the registrar as soon as possible to arrange an appointment to register the death. It’s possible to do this before an MCCD is issued as the registrar will follow up once they receive their copy. To check how this applies to the baby section.
Details of the registrars are below. (LINKS TO REGIONAL ARES BE ADDED)
Arranging the funeral
To arrange a funeral, one of our funeral directors will meet you whenever, and wherever, it suits you and your family. We’ll cover all the elements needed to arrange a funeral, whether it’s a private, intimate affair or a traditional funeral. Whatever you choose, we’ll balance practical support with sensitivity and care.