Expected Death at Home in Leicester

What to do when someone dies at home

If your loved one has died at home and their death was expected, we are here to guide you through the next steps with care and understanding.

At Bay Tree Funeral Directors in Blaby, Leicester, our family team is available 24 hours a day to offer advice, support and help bring your loved one into our care when the time is right.

For immediate help or advice, please call 0116 278 8868. You will speak directly to a member of our family team who will guide you through what to do next.

Call 0116 278 8868

1. Contact the doctor or medical professional

If the death was expected, you will usually need to contact someone who can confirm or certify the death. This may be:

• Your loved one’s GP or the surgery’s out-of-hours number
• The doctor who attended your loved one during their final illness
• Ambulance staff, if emergency services have been called
• A qualified nurse or healthcare professional, depending on the circumstances

Once the death has been verified or certified, the doctor will advise what happens next and how the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be issued.

2. If the death is referred to the coroner

Sometimes, even when a death was expected, the doctor may need to refer the death to the coroner. This can happen if the doctor is unsure of the exact cause of death or has not seen the person recently.

If this happens, please try not to worry. We can explain the process and support you while the necessary checks take place.

3. Contact close family and friends

You may wish to contact close family and friends before your loved one is brought into our care. Some families like to spend a little time at home with their loved one before calling the funeral director.

There is no need to rush unless there is a medical or practical reason to do so. We will guide you gently and help you make the right decision for your family.

4. Call Bay Tree Funeral Directors

When you are ready, please call us on 0116 278 8868. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

We can arrange to bring your loved one into our care from home and take them to our chapel of rest. We can also talk you through what happens next, including registering the death and beginning funeral arrangements when you feel ready.

5. Bringing your loved one into our care

Bay Tree Funeral Directors can bring your loved one into our care from home within a fifty-mile radius of Leicester, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Our team will treat your loved one with dignity and respect at every stage. We will also explain what happens once they arrive at our chapel of rest and how you can arrange to visit, if you wish.

6. Registering the death

Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued, the death will need to be registered. This is usually done by a close relative or someone present at the death.

We can advise you on the next steps and direct you to the correct registration service for Leicester or Leicestershire.

7. Arranging the funeral

You do not have to make every decision straight away. When you feel ready, we can arrange an appointment at our funeral home in Blaby, Leicester, or discuss the first steps over the phone.

We will listen to your wishes, explain your options clearly and help arrange a funeral that reflects your loved one’s life, beliefs and personality.

To speak with us or book an appointment, please call 0116 278 8868.

Expected Death at Home FAQs

Who should I call first when someone dies at home?

If the death was expected, you should usually contact the GP, out-of-hours doctor, attending doctor or relevant healthcare professional. You can also call us on 0116 278 8868 and we will guide you.

Can Bay Tree Funeral Directors bring my loved one into care from home?

Yes. We can bring your loved one into our care from home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across Leicester, Blaby, Leicestershire and surrounding areas.

Do I need to call the police?

If the death was expected and a doctor or healthcare professional can verify or certify the death, the police are usually not needed. If the death was sudden, unexpected or there are unusual circumstances, emergency services may need to be contacted.

Can family spend time with our loved one at home?

Yes, in many cases families may spend time with their loved one at home before they are brought into our care. We will guide you based on the circumstances.

Can I book an appointment to discuss the funeral?

Yes. Please call 0116 278 8868 to book an appointment at our funeral home in Blaby, Leicester, or to speak with us over the phone.