Help & Advice

Title Divider
We understand that losing a loved one presents many challenges. For information on what to do first, how to register a death or if you have any other concerns please click on the buttons below.

What to do first

  • Death in a Hospital

The Doctor treating the deceased will complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death needed for registration. In some cases the hospital bereavement office will email the certificate directly to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriage. We will make all the necessary arrangements to collect your loved one and bring them to our Chapel of Rest.

  • Death at Home or in a Residential/Nursing Home

When a death occurs at home you will need to call the deceased’s Doctors surgery to arrange for a G.P to visit and confirm a death has occurred. Should death occur in a Residential/Nursing Home, the staff will contact the surgery for you. In both cases we will make arrangements for the collection of your loved one and bring them to our private Chapel of Rest.

After a G.P. has confirmed a death has occurred, the deceased’s G.P will issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and email it directly to the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriage.
  • Death outside the United Kingdom

If death occurs outside the U.K, simply contact Bakers Funeral Services and we will make all the necessary arrangements to have your loved one repatriated to our private Chapel of Rest.

  • An unexpected death

If someone has died unexpectedly or if their G.P has not seen them within 14 days of death, their death will be reported to the Coroner. When the Coroner’s investigation is complete, they will advise you to contact the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to all us on 01245 221100.

Registering a death

Once the GP or Coroner has sent the  Medical Certificate of Cause of Death to the Registrar, you may register the death.

A death must be registered within 5 days with the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages, unless the death has been referred to a coroner. If the death of your loved one is referred to a coroner, they will advise you as to their procedures and let you know when they are complete.

Click here to make an appointment to register the death via the telephone. When registering the death, you will need to provide the following information about the person whose death you are registering:
  • Full name (and previous names)
  • Date and place of birth
  • Occupation
  • Last home address
  • Full name, date of birth and occupation of their surviving spouse or civil partner
  • Any public pensions or allowances (such as a military pension)
  • Medical card (if available)
  • Funeral Director’s email address enq@bakersfunerals.co.uk (so the Registrar can send the Registrars Certificate for Burial or Cremation to the Funeral Director)
The Registrar will give you two documents after registering the death:
  • Registrars Certificate for Burial or Cremation (green certificate) – the Registrar will email this certificate to your funeral director
  • Certificate of Registration of Death (death certificate) – this is a certified copy of the entry in the register. You can pay the registrar for additional copies of the certificate to provide to Banks, Building Societies, Insurance Companies etc

If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to all us on 01245 221100.

Other Concerns

Wills and Probate

When a death occurs, the executor (nominated in the will) can start the process of obtaining probate, if necessary.

If there is no will, a decision will have to be made as to who will deal with your loved one’s affairs. If necessary that person will apply for “letters of administration”.

How to pay for a funeral

If your loved one did not have a pre-paid funeral plan, funeral insurance or savings specifically for their funeral, you can contact their bank or building society to ask if they have funds available to cover the cost of the funeral. The bank or building society may release the funds to the executor or administrator of the will or pay for the funeral services directly.

Financial support

On the occasion where there are insufficient funds to pay for the funeral, there is financial support available;

  • Bereavement payment
  • Bereavement allowance
  • Funeral payment from the Social Fund
  • Widowed Parent’s allowance

If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to all us on 01245 221100.

Our team has many years’ experience of arranging personal funerals, so if you have any other concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 01245 221100.

Testimonials

 

Mrs G – Danbury, Chelmsford

Wendy, I would like to thank you for all of your attention to detail whilst arranging the funeral and on the day of the funeral for the undivided attention you gave my elderly Nan who had lost her husband. The service you and the Bearers provided on the day was so professional and seamless. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and the extra little things you did. I know you went that extra mile to provide a special funeral for my beloved Grand Father and to make sure the day went as well as possible for my Nan and family. As the funeral took place during National lockdown, family members and friends who were not able to attend due to travel restrictions watched the service via the webcast. They appreciated being part of the service, even though they couldn't be there in person. Family and friends were also able to give donations and leave messages on my Grandad's memorial page on the Bakers Funerals website. I happily recommend Bakers Funeral Services to anyone.

Mrs B – Bicknacre, Chelmsford

May I please thank you and all of your staff with a very sincere “thank you” for the sympathetic, understanding and very professional manner in which not only the arrangements but also the funeral was carefully conducted. The whole family not only here but also in the USA is indebted to you. Also Wendy the Funeral Director was above sympathetic, understanding and extremely professional.

Mrs D – Dorset

To Wendy, Thank you so much for all you did in covering every detail for us in relation to Mary's funeral of 12 February! And in such a sensitive and attentive way too - you are to be commended on the personal touch and the dignity in which you conducted and presented yourself. There may not have been many of us there, but we all noticed and appreciated that. Please pass on our thanks to your accompanying team also who were most helpful and courteous to me when the 3 of us from Dorset arrived in the car park. I gather from speaking to my cousin Michael today, that family members who watched online valued the opportunity to do so and are grateful to the Crematorium staff for that facility. The beautiful single red rose which you passed onto me as we were leaving, which had separated itself from the rest, now stands proudly in a single rose vase in my lounge. Thank you for that touch too. You have a ministry of comfort and support in the lives of so many people at a time when it is helpful to have someone who is not so close to them personally but still has their best interests at heart. Thank you for what you do, and more especially, how you do it.

Revd Canon Crawford

I am a retired Vicar with 33 years' experience of working with Funeral Directors. On 6th February I took a funeral at Chelmsford Crematorium. Wendy Bingley was your staff member who made all the necessary arrangements. I was a very impressed with how she introduced herself when she telephoned, and her sensitivity when liaising with the family, whom I have known for some 20 years. Wendy's thoughtfulness and efficiency in keeping me informed at every stage was much appreciated. All the arrangements were perfect.  

Mrs M – Boreham, Chelmsford

I wanted to let you know how much we appreciated all of your assistance, patience and hand holding. You were so professional. The day, if you can use the word ‘lovely’ was indeed lovely.  Everything ran so smoothly and everyone we came into contact with at Bakers Funeral Services were amazing.   

Mrs M – Little Baddow

I would like to thank the staff of Bakers in Danbury for their excellent service, sensitivity and compassion at a difficult time for us. I will certainly recommend Bakers Funeral Services to those in need of funeral arrangements.

Mrs S – Hatfield Peveral

Thank you so much for all your help in this past year with all the things you have done with Mum's funeral, grave etc. We very much appreciate it as I am sure you had to deal with more questions than normal! You have been very kind, helpful and very good at helping with the masonry side also.

Mr and Mrs B – Little Baddow

Dear All, I am writing to say a huge thank you from me and all the family. You all are so tender and kind. The help that you all give at such a difficult time is worth more than gold, believe me. With heartfelt thanks.

Mr Harvey – Norfolk

I just wanted to thank you for all that you did to ensure the smooth-running of the funeral of my father. Everything went beautifully, as I was sure that it would. Those messages that you and Rev Rose and I shared filled me with confidence and that was well founded. Thank you also for the recommendation regarding the caterers. There wasn't a person there that did not seem amazed by the quantity and quality of the food. I know that mother was pleased how well it all worked out and she was anxious for me to also extend her thanks to you.

Mrs R – Cornwall

It was such a great comfort to me to know my son was being looked after by such professional people……..for all your help and support in dealing with the funeral of my son.

Mr D – Danbury

I would like to express my thanks for the way that Bakers conducted the arrangements for my mother’s funeral. You and your staff were most considerate and helpful and I am most grateful.

Mrs North

Thank you so much for everything. We will arrange to pick up the ashes in the coming weeks.

Associated Companies