Where to Start

When someone dies, it can be difficult to know what to do first. At Ian Johnston Funeral Directors in Kirkcaldy, we are here to guide and support you through every step, helping to make things as simple and stress-free as possible during a very difficult time.

This guide explains what needs to be done when a death occurs in Scotland, including how to register a death and begin making funeral arrangements.

What to Do When Someone Dies

The first step after a death is to obtain a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from a doctor.
If the death occurs at home, you should contact the deceased’s GP. If the death takes place in a hospital or care home, staff will usually arrange this for you.

In most cases, the doctor will send the certificate directly to the registrar, allowing you to proceed with registering the death.

You can contact us at any time for advice or support. As experienced funeral directors in Kirkcaldy, we are available 24 hours a day to help guide you.

Registering a Death in Scotland

In Scotland, a death must normally be registered within 8 days. The death must be registered before a funeral can take place.

You can register a death at any registrar’s office in Scotland. Many registrars now offer appointments either in person or remotely by telephone or video call.

If you are unsure how to arrange this, we are happy to help you contact your local registrar and explain what to expect.

Who Can Register the Death

A death can be registered by:

• A relative of the deceased
• Someone who was present at the death
• The executor or legal representative
• The occupier of the property where the death occurred
• Anyone with knowledge of the circumstances

If needed, we can advise on who is best placed to carry this out and support you through the process.

Information Needed to Register a Death

When registering a death in Scotland, the registrar will ask for details about the person who has died. This may include:

• Full name, address and occupation
• Date and place of birth
• Details of a spouse or civil partner
• Parents’ names and occupations

It is helpful, but not essential, to have documents such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate or NHS medical card.

The registrar understands that not everything may be available and will guide you through the process.

Documents Issued by the Registrar

Once the death has been registered, the registrar will provide the necessary documents to allow the funeral to go ahead.

This includes the Certificate of Registration of Death (Form 14), which is required before burial or cremation can take place.

We will liaise with you to ensure all paperwork is received and handled correctly.

Tell Us Once Service

During the registration process, you will be offered access to the Tell Us Once service.

This service allows you to inform several government departments at the same time, including HMRC, the Department for Work and Pensions, the local council and the DVLA.

Using this service can reduce the number of organisations you need to contact separately.

Arranging the Funeral

Once the death has been registered, funeral arrangements can be finalised.

At Ian Johnston Funeral Directors, we will guide you through all aspects of the funeral, including burial or cremation, service arrangements, transport and personal touches.

We can begin discussing arrangements with you at any time, even before registration is complete, to help ease the process.

Funeral Directors in Kirkcaldy – Here to Help

As a trusted, independent funeral director in Kirkcaldy, we are committed to providing personal, compassionate support to every family we serve.

We can assist with:

• Guidance on what to do when someone dies
• Help with registering a death in Scotland
• Liaison with doctors and registrars
• Full funeral arrangements tailored to your wishes

If you need immediate assistance or simply want advice, please contact Ian Johnston Funeral Directors. We are available 24 hours a day and always here to help.