When Someone Dies
Losing a loved one is never easy, and we understand how difficult this time can be. This guide explains the key steps to take after someone dies, and how we can help.
1. Register the death
When someone dies at home, the next of kin or executor should inform the family doctor. The doctor who cared for the person during their last illness will complete a free Certificate of the Cause of Death (referred to here as the "death certificate").
If the death occurs in hospital, the hospital’s bereavement team will usually arrange for the death certificate to be issued.
You must register the death within 5 days (in England). This is usually done by a close relative at the Register Office in the area where the person died. You’ll need the death certificate before you can register the death.
To register a death in the Kent area, please book an appointment using the following link:
Register a Death
2. Inform Dover District Council
Once a death has been registered, it’s important to let the council know. This helps us update records and stop services that are no longer needed.
By notifying the council, we can:
- Update the Council Tax account
- Remove the person from the Electoral Register
- Adjust or stop other council services, such as housing or benefits
Letting us know helps avoid unnecessary letters or bills and ensures everything is handled respectfully. You can do this quickly and easily using the following link.
Notify Dover District Council
3. Arrange the funeral
You can arrange the funeral yourself, but most people use a funeral director. Funeral directors play an important role in helping families arrange respectful and dignified funerals. They provide professional support and guidance during a difficult time, handling many of the practical and legal aspects of a funeral.
The funeral director will contact the council on your behalf, to book cemetery services and apply for burial plots or the interment of ashes.
There are no cremation facilities within the Dover District, the nearest is Barham Crematorium which is within the Canterbury District.
If you haven’t yet chosen a funeral director, you can search for those accredited by the National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD).
4. Public Health Funerals
Losing someone can be very upsetting, and worrying about funeral costs can make it even harder. If you're concerned about how to pay for the funeral, speak to your chosen funeral director as early as possible.
Further details can be found at Public Health Funerals.