Helping hand when you need it
We understand how hard it can be when you are faced with the death of a loved one. It is understandable that you may not know what you need to do. Tester & Jones Funeral Services offers professional advice and support to guide you through the process.
What happens after death
If the death happens at home (and was expected):
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A GP, district nurse, or other medical professional must confirm the death.
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Once this is done, we can bring your loved one into our care.
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If you’d like to spend more time with them at home, just let us know — we’ll come when you’re ready.
If the death was unexpected:
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The police will attend, and the case will be referred to the coroner.
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The coroner will arrange for your loved one to be taken into their care.
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Once their investigations are complete, your chosen funeral director can bring your loved one into care.
If the death occurs in a care home:
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After a nurse or doctor confirms the death, we will bring your loved one into our care.
If the death occurs in a hospital or hospice:
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A doctor needs to complete paperwork called the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).
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Some hospitals may also require a signed release form from a family member — we can help with this process.
We are on call 24 hours a day for you to contact us following the death of a loved one
Registering a death
To register a death, you should make an appointment with a register office within the district (County) in which the person died.
For example, if someone dies in East Sussex, the death should be registered at an East Sussex Register’s Office, and if they died in
Kent, the death should be registered at a Kent Register’s Office.
You will be contacted by the Medical Examiner’s office to confirm that you can register the death.
Registering a death in East Sussex
There are 4 register offices in East Sussex. Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hastings & Lewes.
The contact number for all of them is 0345 60 80 198. When you call, you can choose the register Office.
Address:
Register Office, Hookstead, Goldsmith's Avenue, Crowborough, East Sussex, TN6 1RH
Address:
Register Office, Town Hall, Grove Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 4UG
Address:
Register Office, Town Hall, Queen's Road, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1QR
Address:
Southover Grange, Southover Road, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1TP
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Registering a death in Kent
There are many register offices in Kent, and our nearest one is Tunbridge Wells.
The contact number to make an appointment is 03000 41 51 51
Tunbridge Wells Register Office
Address:
Tunbridge Wells Library, The Amelia Scott Centre, Civic Way, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 1JN
“Would like to thank Tester and Jones and all those involved in giving my sister Ann a beautiful send off yesterday a special thanks to Alison Jowett the Celebrant for her professionalism and kindness shown to our family.”
Barbara, Google review