Upon a Death – What to do

When someone dies, it is a stressful and confusing time. All of a sudden many decisions and arrangements have to be made within a very short period, including several legal requirements and responsibilities.
If the death occurs at hospital, the ward’s nursing staff will contact the next of kin and arrange a time for you to take away the deceased’s possessions along with a Medical Certificate of Death. The body will be kept in the hospital mortuary until transport arrangements have been made by the funeral director.

When someone dies at home, first contact should be made with the family doctor, who after determining the cause of death will issue the Medical Certificate of Death and advise on what to do next.

If someone dies abroad, you should first contact the local police who will connect you with the nearest Irish Consulate, and from there arrangements can be made for burial or repatriation. A local death certificate will be issued and all regional laws and procedures must be followed.

If cause of death is sudden, unknown or suspicious, it will be referred to a coroner who will investigate the circumstances and cause of death, before issuing a certificate allowing the death to be registered.

Burial or Cremation

There are several things to consider regarding the choice between cremation and burial. These include the wishes of the deceased or their next of kin, availability and cost.

Cremation – A more popular choice today, cremation is generally less expensive than a burial, and a gravesite does not need to be secured. The funeral service may take place at the crematorium, in a church or any other location of importance. The family will have a number of choices regarding the treatment of the ashes. Some families like to keep them in an urn, some prefer to bury them, while others may scatter them in a place of sentimental importance.

Burial – Some families prefer to bury their loved ones, either as a decision they have made, or at the request of the deceased. Purchasing a new grave can be expensive, due to the procurement of the land; the possibility to be buried in a churchyard is dependant on the availability and permission of your local church.

Civil Funerals

Civil Funeral Ceremony is a dignified and formal non-religious ceremony to commemorate a loved one’s life and parting. Above all, it is a ceremony that reflects the wishes of the family and those of the deceased. It is a highly personal tribute created by the executor or family in consultation with a professional Celebrant.

The most valuable element of the Civil Funeral Ceremony is a carefully scripted tribute written about the character and life of the person by the Civil Funeral Celebrant with the help of family and / or friends. This tribute is a celebration of the person’s life, recounting their experiences, attributes and qualities. Every effort is made to capture the very essence of the deceased and their lasting spirit. The tribute, which can be delivered by the Funeral Celebrant or any of the family/friends, forms a part of the whole ceremony that the Celebrant will create in partnership with the family.

Each ceremony is completely unique to the deceased and a written copy of the whole text is provided so that the ceremony can be followed easily.