Following the death of a loved one you must contact their GP, who will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

All deaths must be registered within five days unless a coroner is investigating the circumstances of the death.

If the death was sudden or unexpected, the Coroner may need to establish the cause of death and order that a post-mortem be carried out.

You may wish to contact a Funeral Director to discuss funeral arrangements. You are entitled to ask for a free quotation, you are under no obligation to use a Funeral Director if you wish to undertake the arrangements yourself. The Council can offer advice if this is your preference, telephone the Cemeteries office on 020 3045 4100 or email cemeteries@bexley.gov.uk

Costs may include:

• burial or cremation fees
• conveyance of the person who has died to a mortuary
• preparation and embalming fees
• hearse/limousine
• coffin/casket
• church and ministers' fees
• celebrant or humanist fees
• designing and printing order of service sheets
• floral tributes
• notices in local papers
• reception/wake arrangements
• memorials

You may be able to apply to the Government for help with the cost of a funeral. The cost of a funeral is usually met from the assets of the person who has passed away. If there are no assets the cost may be the responsibility of the person making the funeral arrangements.

Request parking cones for a funeral

You may require cones for a funeral if there are parking restrictions that may need to be temporarily suspended.