What to do when someone dies

At Fishwicks, we make that as convenient as possible and our phone lines are answered 24/7 by one of our team. Once we are working together, all the other questions seem a bit less daunting.

The one thing we can’t do for you is register the death.  Only a family member, executor or next of kin can do this and it is an essential step to be done before funeral arrangements can be confirmed. If you need advice, your funeral director can advise on what you need to do.

We can arrange for a private ambulance to bring the body to one of our Chapels of Rest, once the death has been certified by a doctor or nurse.

We will liaise with the coroner and guide you through the process in these circumstances.

If the death was not at home, we can work with the hospital or care home to collect the body and bring it safely to one of our Chapels of Rest.

Again, Fishwicks can help and will ensure that the daunting bureaucracy and communications are handled as effectively as possible, bringing the body of your loved one home and to a Chapel of Rest with a minimum of fuss.

Fishwicks operate three sites: Beetham Hall, Kendal and Windermere.

We work with you to decide on everything from whether you’d like cremation or burial, the style of the service, the coffin, flowers, music, printing, press notices, memorials – and more. Nothing will be forgotten, and you’ll know that we’ve helped you to think of everything and to make the right decisions for you, your family and the deceased.

This is one of the few difficult questions to answer as it can vary hugely. But we also understand that it can be one of the big worries and our promise is that nothing will be confirmed without consulting you and we will be as transparent about costs as we can be at every stage.

To give you some idea, and based on prices in 2022, a cremation service with a celebrant, recorded music, a simple coffin and traditional hearse can cost in the region of £3500. Add limousine, a donation service, printed orders of service, press notice and floral tributes and you will be talking about in the region of £4000. Further costs can be incurred depending on your personal family preferences.

As mentioned elsewhere, unattended or direct funerals are also available these start in the region of £1000.

Depending on the circumstances of the death, a funeral can usually take place 10-14 days after the registering of the death. This gives you the time you need to contact family and friends and make the necessary arrangements without feeling rushed or under additional stress.

Embalming is an option which would allow the funeral to be further delayed for some time, depending on the circumstances. However, inevitably, deterioration does occur so it is advisable to avoid delay if at all possible. Timings that are out of the ordinary are best discussed and decided on an individual case basis.