Checklist of things to do following a bereavement

Register a death

Registering a death is an important process that needs to be completed within a specific timeframe. For full details visit the relevant section of the website of the General Register Office. Follow the steps below to ensure a smooth registration:

1. Death Notification Form:

• The Death Notification Form will be issued by the Medical Doctor or General Practitioner who attended to the deceased during their final illness.

• The doctor must have attended to the patient within 28 days prior to death and should be satisfied with the cause of death.

• Part 1 of the form will be completed and signed by the Medical Practitioner, stating the cause of death.

• Part 2 of the form should be completed by the next-of-kin or relative, providing additional personal details of the deceased such as date of birth, PPS number, occupation, marital status, and address.

• Once both parts of the form are completed, it should be taken to any Registrar for Births, Marriages & Deaths in Ireland to officially register the death.

• Registration must be completed within 90 days of the death taking place.

2. Obtaining the Official Death Certificate:

• After registering the death, you can obtain a copy or copies of the official Death Certificate from the Registrar's Office.

• The cost for obtaining the Death Certificate is as follows:

  • €20 for a full standard certificate

  • €1 for a copy for Social Welfare purposes (requires a letter from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection).

  • €4 for an uncertified copy of an entry in the Register.

  • €10 for certificate authentication (only available from the General Register Office).

Additional Considerations:

• Sudden or Unexpected Deaths:

  • In cases of sudden or unexplained deaths, the death will be referred to the Coroner, who may order a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.

  • The Coroner will issue a Coroner's Certificate of the cause of death, which will be forwarded to the Registrar for Deaths for the region. The death will be automatically registered.

  • Deaths Following Violent or Suspicious Circumstances:

  • If the death occurs under violent or suspicious circumstances, the Coroner may order a post-mortem examination and hold an inquest based on the reports from the Garda and Medical authorities.

  • The funeral can proceed once the Coroner releases the body, which typically takes 3 to 5 days after the inquest.

Important Notes:

• Communication with the Coroner's Office:

  • If there are any questions or issues regarding the death registration process, our team will liaise with the Coroner's office on your behalf.

  • Number of Death Certificates:

  • It is advisable to obtain multiple original Death Certificates, as photocopies are generally not accepted by financial institutions or state services.

  • Registrar's Office Location: In Dublin City & County, the Registrar's Office for registering a death is located at: Lucia House, beside Joyce House, Lombard Street East, Dublin 2.

  • Opening Hours: 9.00am to 12.30pm and 2.15pm to 4.00pm.

  • Remember, timely registration of the death and obtaining the Death Certificate are essential steps in handling post-funeral matters.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be an overwhelming experience, and everyone copes with grief differently. However, support is available to those who may need it. Here are several organisations that offer valuable assistance during times of bereavement:

• A Little Lifetime Foundation: Offering support specifically for those who have experienced stillbirth and neonatal deaths. They are located at 18 Orion Business Campus, Ballycoolin, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. Call (01) 882 9030 or visit their website: http://alittlelifetime.com/.

• Firstlight: Providing support to parents and families who have suddenly lost a loved one. You can reach them at Carmichael House, 4 North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7, by calling (01) 873 2711 or emailing support@firstlight.ie. Further details are available on their website: https://firstlight.ie.

• National Association of Widows in Ireland: Offering assistance and support to widows. They are located at Coleraint House, Coleraine Street, Dublin 7. Contact them at (01) 8728814 or via email at info@nawi.ie. More information can be found on their website: www.nawi.ie.

• Anam Cara: Providing support specifically for bereaved parents. They are located at HCL House, Second Avenue, Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24. Reach out to them at (01) 404 5378 or info@anamcara.ie. Visit their website for additional details: www.anamcara.ie.

• Bereaved, The Irish Hospice Foundation: Offering support and guidance during the grieving process. They can be reached at Morrison Chambers (4th Floor), 32 Nassau Street, Dublin 2. Contact them at (01) 679 3188 or via email at info@hospicefoundation.ie. More information can be found on their website: http://hospicefoundation.ie.

• Rainbows Ireland: Providing support to bereaved children. They are located at Loreto Centre, Crumlin Road, Dublin 12. Call (01) 473 4175 or email ask@rainbowsireland.ie. Further details are available on their website: www.rainbowsireland.ie.

• Samaritans: Offering support to individuals in crisis. Reach out to them at 112 Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, or call 1850 60 90 90. They can also be contacted via email at jo@samaritans.org. Visit their website for additional resources: www.dublinsamaritans.ie.

• Aware: Providing help and support to those experiencing depression. They are located at 72 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2. Call 1800 80 48 48 or email supportmail@aware.ie. More information can be found on their website: www.aware.ie.

Furthermore, the following services are associated with the death and grieving process:

• Purple House Cancer Support: Offering confidential telephone support, counselling services, and advice for cancer patients and their families. Contact them at 01 286 6966 or info@purplehouse.ie. More information is available on their website:

After the funeral and cremation, it is important for the family to make an informed decision regarding the final placement of the ashes. We offer a variety of options for you to consider:

1. In an existing family grave.

2. In a new grave or a dedicated cremation burial plot.

3. Keeping the ashes at home in a selected urn.

4. Dividing the ashes into multiple urns for family members.

5. Placing the ashes in special jewelry designed for this purpose.

6. Scattering the ashes at an appropriate location.

7. Use a water-biodegradable urn for water dispersal.

8. Bury ashes at home - warning that this may bring up issues when selling the property in the future, it should be disclosed.

Receiving of Ashes:

Ashes are typically available within 1 week of the cremation, we will deliver these ashes to you.

If you prefer to collect the ashes from our office, please contact us in advance.

Cremation Urns & Keepsakes:

Through our partnership with Green Coffins Ireland, we offer a selection of cremation urns, keepsakes and scattering tunes. View range here.

We understand the significance of this decision and are here to assist you in finding the right option that best honours your loved one's memory. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us for further guidance or any additional information you may need.

Acknowledgement and in memoriam notices hold a significant place in remembering and honouring a loved one. We understand the importance of these notices and are here to provide assistance with their drafting and publication.

Acknowledgement Notices:

• Acknowledgement notices are typically published two to four weeks after the funeral has taken place.

• These notices express gratitude and appreciation to those who have offered support, condolences, or assistance during this difficult time and can advise people of an upcoming service (month’s mind mass, etc).

• Our team can assist you in drafting and finalising the wording of the acknowledgement notice to ensure it reflects your sentiments accurately.

In Memoriam Notices:

• In memoriam notices are published on the anniversary of the death.

• These notices serve as a remembrance and tribute to the departed, keeping their memory alive in the hearts of those who knew them.

Please reach out to us for assistance in drafting and arranging the publication of your acknowledgement and in memoriam notices.

Click the links to view details on the following grants:

• Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant

• Other Grants from the Dept. Of Social Protection

• Credit Unions - In some situations being a member of your local credit union can mean that they provide a service called Death Benefit Insurance. This insurance pays out a lump sum in the event of your death. This fixed lump sum can be used to cover funeral expenses.

  Your Credit Union will contact your family if it applies to your situation.

After the passing of a family member, it is important to inform certain services and organizations about the death. Some of these are mandatory, such as notifying the State pension authorities, while others are recommended for a smooth transition.

In all cases, it is crucial to immediately inform the Executor and Solicitor handling the estate.

We highly recommend registering the death at your local Office for births, marriages, and deaths as soon as possible. This ensures the official record of the death is promptly updated.

Proactively informing the relevant services and organisations helps in managing administrative matters efficiently during this challenging time. Our aim is to support you in navigating through this process with ease. If you require any further assistance or have specific questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

You may have to consider disconnecting or changing the bill/payment structure for a number of services including mobile phones, electric service provider, etc. We advise you to get a number of copies of the death certificate when changing or disconnecting these services.