When a death occurs it is always difficult to know what to do first. Our aim at A. B. Walker is to provide our clients with a service that will offer them the guidance they need at each stage of the arranging process in an open, empathetic and considerate manner. If the death should take place in a hospital, hospice or residential care home, then the immediate steps are taken by members of the care staff following their set procedures.

At home, the first practical step to be taken is for the doctor to be contacted to confirm and certify the death. Following confirmation, the family may wish to contact us to arrange for the removal of the body to our chapel of rest.

We are available by telephone 24 hours to advise and provide practical help.



In the event that the death is sudden or unexpected then the police will attend to coordinate the removal of the body, on behalf of the coroner, to the public mortuary. The coroner will be informed and the requirement for a post mortem assessed according to DCA guidelines.

Berkshire Coroner

Oxfordshire Coroner

Department for Constitutional Affairs

DirectGov Advice