Funeral Director

Care provided after death:

Funeral directors operate 365 days a year offering a 24 hour service to people who have recently been bereaved. They provide their clients with the advice, guidance and support required to arrange a funeral, taking into consideration any personal wishes, religious, cultural or spritual values. Some Health Trusts and the Coroners Service commission funeral directors to undertake the removal of remains from the place of death to hospital or forensic mortuaries. Their role involves:

  • Assisting the family with the funeral arrangements, providing advice in relation to choices and costs
  • Removal of the deceased from the place of death on instruction of family, hospital staff or Coroner
  • Respectful and dignified collection and transfer of the deceased
  • Preparation of the body for viewing and cremation / burial; and provision of advice and information to support bereaved relatives who hold a ‘wake’ in their home
  • Completion of all necessary forms and documents
  • Repatriation of the deceased

Works alongside:

  • Relatives
  • Hospital doctors, nurses and midwives
  • General Practitioners
  • Pathologists
  • Mortuary staff
  • Portering staff
  • Clergy and Faith representatives
  • Coroner’s office
  • Cemetery / Crematorium staff
  • PSNI
  • NIAS
  • Trust Bereavement Coordinators

The standard of bereavement care is enhanced when:

  • Medical Certificates of Cause of Death are completed in an accurate and timely way to allow funeral arrangements to proceed
  • All body transfer documentation at ward level and within the mortuary is completed correctly
  • There is clear communication and sharing of relevant information between health care professionals, mortuary staff and funeral directors

 Standards and Guidelines