First Steps

What to do when someone dies

Few, if any, are ever fully prepared for the emotional strain that comes with the death of a loved one. It’s at this challenging time that you need the help of professionals who understand your pain and can manage all the funeral arrangements with care, respect, and discretion.

Byrnes Funeral Directors, Crablane offers reassurance that every detail, no matter how small, will be handled with dignity and respect, ensuring all your individual needs are met. We will assist you with every part of the funeral arrangements, arrange and supervise the funeral you choose.  We will liaise directly, on your behalf, with all persons involved in the ceremonies.

Many families we assist are planning a funeral for the first time and are often unsure where to start.  The next steps depend on where the death occurred and the circumstances surrounding it. Here are the most common situations:

When someone passes away at home:

If the death was expected, the deceased will have been under the care of their GP. The first step is to contact the GP, who will visit the home to confirm the death.

If it’s outside regular hours, you may be directed to a locum doctor, who will confirm the death as well. The GP should be informed the following morning. Once death is confirmed, either by the GP or locum, you can contact Byrnes Funeral Directors, Crablane at 085 776 1570 or 059 915 6186 to begin making funeral arrangements.

If the death was unexpected, you should first contact the deceased’s GP. The GP may recommend notifying the local Garda Station, as the Gardai might need to refer the case to the coroner (see the section on sudden deaths below).

Additionally, you may wish to contact a religious minister for support during this time.

When someone passes away in a hospital, hospice, or nursing home:

A doctor will typically be present or called by the medical staff to confirm the death. The family will be informed if a post-mortem is necessary (see below), though in most cases, it will not be required. Afterward, you can reach out to Byrnes Funeral Directors, Crablane at 085 776 1570 or 059 915 6186 to begin funeral arrangements.

When someone dies suddenly:

Sudden deaths, regardless of location, must be reported to An Garda Síochána, who will then refer the case to the coroner. The coroner will review the circumstances and may order a post-mortem (or autopsy) to determine the cause of death. If an autopsy is required, there may be a delay of 1-2 days (or longer if the death occurs over a weekend or holiday) before funeral arrangements can begin. You can find more information on the Dublin City Coroner’s website.

Once the death has been reported, you should contact Byrnes Funeral Directors, Crablane at 085 776 1570 or 059 915 6186 to start making funeral arrangements.