When Someone Dies

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What To Do When Someone When Dies

When someone dies, there are many things that you will need to take care of, from registering the death to notifying particular organisations.

Understanding what you need to do may help ease some of the stress or confusion you may be feeling and a funeral director will be able to help with this process.

We’ve created separate guides which you can find below on what you should do when someone dies.

After someone dies, letting every bank and supplier know can take weeks of calls and forms, which is why we have partnered with Legacy Trail to take that on for the families we look after. Their team notifies organisations on your behalf free of charge, and they can also help track down accounts you may not have known about, so it is one less thing to deal with in the weeks after the funeral.

For more information please visit: legacytrail.co.uk/ahfreemantle

When Someone Dies At Home

When someone dies at home, there are a number of things to consider depending on how they passed and whether the death was expected or unexpected. If they died during the day or at night, there are different steps to take.

Death At Home

When Someone Dies In Professional Care

If a loved one has unfortunately passed away in a care home or hospital, the next of kin or closest family members will be informed immediately. Many hospitals, care homes and other professional care facilities throughout the UK have staff specialising in bereavement matters who are able to explain procedures and next steps to you.

Death In Professional Care

When Someone Dies Suddenly Or Unexpectedly

When someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, it can be a difficult time for all those involved. There is a different process to carry out when the death is unexpected, therefore it’s important to understand what you should do if this happens.

Sudden Or Unexpected Death

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When Someone Dies Abroad & The Repatriation Process

If a loved one has passed away whilst overseas, it can be a stressful situation for all those involved. Whether a person was with them or not when they died, there is a different process for each scenario and it’s important to learn what you should do if this happens.

Death Abroad

Registering A Death & Registry Offices

Once the cause of death has been confirmed by a GP or through a Coroner’s Inquest, you must register the death within five days. You will have to contact the registry office for the place where the person died, rather than for where they lived.

Registering a Death

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Help With Bereavement

We can provide contact details of a number of organisations who can help with bereavement. The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day but the hours in which you can contact specialist bereavement helplines do vary.

Help With Bereavement

Over 100 Testimonials and Reviews

James was kind, thoughtful and respectful. He gently guided us through the entire process with patience. This entire experience was a first for us and at one of the saddest and most traumatic times we felt as supported as possible. We would 100% recommend James and his team for the specialised and thoughtful work they do.

Natascha

From start to finish, Jane, Elizabeth and Dawn were very kind and respectful, and on the day of the funeral, James made everything very easy. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this Company.

Karen

Having had experience with this company earlier in the year they were the natural choice when my wife died. Clair was absolutely brilliant from the initial enquiry and compassionately and clearly explained the whole process. Nothing was too much trouble and the whole range of options clearly laid out and explained. We really didn’t have to do anything ourselves. I would gladly recommend when the the time comes to anyone else.

Customer

James and his team were extremely kind, thoughtful ad professional. As a family we appreciated the help and advice that was given.

Connie

We sincerely thank the staff and in particular Sarah and James at Freemantle's Titchfield for their understanding and kindness in organising and conducting the recent funeral of our son John. The whole process was guided with much empathy on such sad occasion.

Michael

I can’t praise Claire at the Botley branch enough, who looked after my husband’s funeral. She was very professional, but more than that she was kind, caring, and nothing was too much trouble. Going above and beyond, which made this very difficult time so much more bearable for my family and I.

Nicola

Sarah's kindness, genuine warmth, understanding of the personal character of how people say goodbye to a loved one, and inclusive approach, together with her knowledge and professionalism made me feel 'held' throughout the process of organising and being at my mum's funeral. It made such a difference at a difficult time. Highly recommend this company to anyone.

Kes

I would like to thank both James and Jane for the courtesy and respect shown to me and my family. They appreciated the tragic circumstances and were able to guide us gently through the Church service and subsequent committal at Wessex. You were as a company stars that day, showing us the way.

Brian

I’ve never lost a parent and didn’t have a clue what I should be doing - James made us feel very relaxed, made sure that our mum would be well looked after with him which gave us comfort. The celebrant he chose was absolutely brilliant and really made the whole experience extremely personal to us. James even sourced out a Leopard print coffin for us - the first in 22 years apparently! Would really recommend

Kerris

My family and I were treated with respect and sensitivity from the moment I walked in the office. Dawn was incredibly helpful and kind. Jane was very thorough and patient with us. I can’t praise Terry enough, he made me feel so at ease during a difficult time and is such a warm and lovely person. Huge thanks to A H Freemantle for giving my husband the send off he deserved and for looking after us in our time of grief, I couldn’t be more grateful.

Sophie

Jane and her colleagues went above and beyond to support and guide my family and I through the most traumatic time. From the moment of instruction to the service itself, I received true professionalism coupled with empathy. Every detail was discussed, every request was met, with kindness and thought. Thank you.

Nicky

Recently I was sadly in need of the services of A.H.Freemantle. I cannot find words to thank James and his staff enough. They guided and comforted me through the whole sad process. James's quiet steady professionalism both before, and during the ceremony made a dreadful experience much much easier to endure..highly recommended to anyone facing this inevitable ordeal. Thank you all.

Robert

James handled the funerals of both my mother and father, and in both cases everything went very smoothly and was done with great dignity. We could not have asked for more.

Peter

A very hard and difficult time, which was made easier with the help of Freemantles. From start to finish they gave us guidance and support. Chloe was at the end of the phone to help with any questions or concerns and dealt with this in a very caring and understanding manor, which was very much appreciated. Highly recommend Freemantles. James and his team are very professional and work to a high standard.

Tina

The whole family were very comforted by the idea that my late mother was at your beautiful funeral home in such lovely surroundings. We are highly praising of every aspect of the care and professional support of you all at A H Freemantle. It certainly has been a great comfort to have been treated with friendliness and understanding at such a difficult time. We very much appreciate how well you communicated with us at every step of the organisation of the funeral, making everything run smoothly. The Orders of Service were beautifully presented too. The funeral was exactly what we had hoped for; we have had lovely comments from those who attended on the day and those who were far away watching the Webcast. The guidance and support you have given throughout has been faultless, making a sad time better.

Marion

We as a family would like to thank James and everyone at Freemantle’s Titchfield for all their help and guidance, James you made us feel so relaxed and calm, the day went without a hitch, we laughed we cried, our mum would of approved of everything, also a very big thank you to Martin the celebrant, you were all amazing thank you so much.

Sarah

Extremely kind & considerate. Very professional. I felt supported throughout a very difficult process. Jane was fantastic, sensitive and caring and made me feel that she truly understood and cared about us all.

Jill

From my first phone call to the completion of the funeral the staff at A H Freemantle gave outstanding service. They were professional and compassionate, taking time to listen to our requests and discuss the options. They made a difficult time easier and I knew I could trust them absolutely with the arrangements.

Freemantles handled the funeral for my son - firstly they had to collect him from Leicester where his post mortem took place. From the start they were so caring and attentive to our distress as it was a sudden death. Kate the lady we dealt with was absolutely wonderful. She dealt with every detail with so much sympathy and feeling. The Celebrant they appointed was also terrific and dealt with the ceremony exactly as we wanted. If you find yourself losing a loved one I would highly recommend Freemantles. They totally helped make a nightmare of losing your child bearable.

Helen

A H Freemantle were recommended to us after the death of our 6 year old son. They were fantastic, very supportive and no question was left unanswered or batted away. They were completely flexible on how we wanted to do things, even going as far as customising the clothes and accessories they wore on the day of the funeral at our request. The service itself was beautifully managed and the services provided by them were top class. If you are looking for a sympathetic, efficient and caring funeral director, we can very much recommend them.

Ian

All I can say is that all the staff at the Titchfield branch have been excellent and helped myself and my sons to ensure my wife Caroline had a wonderful send off. Many thanks to all at Freemantle's in Titchfield.

Chris

I would like to thank all the staff at the Eastleigh branch of helping me through a very difficult time when my mother passed away recently. All the staff were so helpful, considerate and compassionate, Clair in the office was always helpful and kind and helped me through the whole process of arranging a funeral.

Although my review is simplistic it comes from the heart. Without A H Freemantle's Park Gate & Titchfield offices I could never have got through what was and always will be my darkest hour. Thank you for looking after my beautiful mother, Gwen. Special thanks to Jane and Dawn. And thank you Jane for recommending the wonderful Rev. Boggust. My brothers, sister, and myself will always remember the kindness, respect, and compassion shown by all at A H Freemantle.

Eleanor

Kayla was so helpful and kind. She managed the details every step of the way, explaining in detail each step required. Would recommend Freemantle Funeral Directors highly.

Liz

Sarah really put our family at ease and was very helpful. Made a very difficult thing to do a lot easier. Would highly recommend their services.

Verity

Exemplary and highly professional service throughout, with every effort made to accommodate the wishes of the family. Would highly recommend to anyone faced with having to arrange a funeral.

James and the team at A H Freemantle did the most fantastic job for us when my brother died suddenly and unexpectedly. They were very clear about the things I had to make a decision on - not there and then but in my own time - but they also completely took over and seamlessly managed all those other things that have to be booked and paid for. They also gave me great advice about how to handle the things I needed to handle. They contributed hugely to giving my brother the send off that he deserved and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend A H Freemantle to anyone else when that time comes and you need a funeral director.

Kevin

We sincerly thank the staff and in particular Sarah and James at Freemantle's Titchfield for their understanding and kindness in organising and conducting the recent funeral of our son John. The whole process was guided with much empathy on such sad occasion.

Excellent personable service. Caring and sensitive - Sarah always seemed to be available no matter what time. The attention to detail and everything was brilliant. We all felt very happy with the choice that we had made for our Mum's funeral and burial that we did not hesitate to use again for our Dad. Our Mum and Dad had such lovely "send offs" managed so well by A.H. Freemantles.

Susan

James was incredibly understanding and dealt with a difficult situation with care and attention. Nothing was too much trouble.

Tim

James and the team really are who you need by your side when you are facing your most challenging times in life.I've been in need of the services of A H Freemantle twice in a year having lost both my mother and father.Honestly I couldn't recommend them enough, at such a challenging time they really did do everything to make it as bearable as possible.I can not recommend James and the team enough, they were truly incredible from start to finish.

We found James and all the team at A H Freemantle so helpful as usual, they looked after Mum back in April and our requirements with such care and understanding, just as they did for Dad in 2015. We would highly recommend them, as the help they give at a time of sadness is of great importance to the bereaved. Thank you.

Eastleigh Office Reviews

Botley Office Reviews

Park Gate Office Reviews

Fareham Office Reviews