What To Do When Someone Dies

At home or a nursing home.

The first thing to do is to contact the deceased's own G.P, or the doctor on call who comes out to certify the death. The doctor will issue a medical certificate confirming cause of death that is used to register the death at the registration office. If you opt for cremation, let the doctor know as certain paperwork needs to be completed. Once the doctor has certified the death, contact O'Kanes Funeral Directors who will come out to discuss further details and the deceased will be removed from their place of death to O'Kanes Funeral Home for preparation.

Death at Hospital or Hospice.

The doctor tending to the deceased during their illness will issue a medical certificate of cause of death. This may be done shortly after the death or perhaps the following morning, depending on the time of death and if the doctor is available. The deceased will be removed to the mortuary, where the funeral director will liase with the staff to organise the moving of the deceased to the funeral home. Contact O'Kanes funeral directors at any time after the death and we will guide you in the right direction.

Sudden Death

If someone dies suddenly or tragically, the coroner will become involved and the deceased will be removed from the place of death by the coroners staff to the Regional City Mortuary where an examination of the deceased may be carried out to determine the cause of death. Any time after the death, contact O'Kanes Funeral Directors who will guide you in the right direction. In this situation the funeral may be delayed for a day or two due to the examination to be carried out.

Making Funeral Arrangements

Once contact is made with O'Kanes you can either call to our office or a funeral director can call to the house to make arrangements. We will guide you through every step of arranging the funeral and our priority is to make sure that you can arrange the funeral for your loved one in the way you want. We will do our best to accomodate any special requests.

The decisions that you are presented with, when arranging a funeral include:

  • Is it going to be a burial or cremation
  • Do you want a wake in the house, or to use the funeral home
  • Which church the funeral will take place in
  • What type of coffin
  • Is the deceased to be dressed in their own clothes or a robe provided by O'Kanes
  • Do you want a removal to the church the night before
  • What newspapers do you want the funeral notice to be published in
  • Do you want flowers
  • Do you require a limousine (Holds 6 people)

O'Kanes will liase on your behalf with the cemeteries, crematorium, newspapers, clergy, florists and advise you about the registration of the death. They will also, after the service, help with Funeral Payments Forms from the Social Fund and point you in the right direction for bereavement counselling.

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