When Death Occurs

Nothing prepares you for the emotional shock of losing someone close even if the death has been expected. In this section, we have to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes, as there is a vast difference in the procedures to be followed.

Here are a few guidelines that may be of assistance:

Natural Causes

Death as a result of illness, i.e. Heart Attack, Stroke, Cancer, etc.

  1. Phone Bernard Ives Funerals.
  2. If there aren’t storage facilities at the hospital, Bernard Ives might have to collect the deceased from the ward.
  3. Hospital staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
  4. If the deceased is to be a cremated, please inform Bernard Ives, so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
  5. Bernard Ives will collect the deceased and the Notification of Death (BI1663) from the hospital.
  6. Please remember to collect any personal belongings from the hospital.
  7. If the deceased has been hospitalised as a result of unnatural causes, eg. a motor vehicle accident, and subsequently passed away after a period of time (days/months/years), the death is NOT considered to be as a result of “natural causes”.
  8. Death in an operating theatre, while still under local anaesthetics, is NOT considered to be a natural death (if the deceased did not regain his/her consciousness).
  9. Death whilst having an epileptic fit, is not always considered to be a natural death, even if the deceased was under treatment for epilepsy.
  1. If during working hours, the first contact should be with the doctor who last treated the deceased. If satisfied with the cause of death, the doctor will agree to issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
  2. Bernard Ives will collect the certificate from the surgery.
  3. In the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liaise with the doctor.
  4. Contact us once you have informed the doctor, if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas.
  5. If death occurs during the night, it is not standard practice anymore for a doctor to do house calls after hours when someone passed away.
  6. If no foul play is suspected, Bernard Ives may remove the deceased and liaise with the doctor the next day.
  1. If during working hours, the first contact should be with the doctor who last treated the deceased. If satisfied with the cause of death, the doctor will agree to issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
  2. Bernard Ives will collect the certificate from the doctors rooms.
  3. In the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liaise with the doctor. We can still remove the loved one any time of day or night.
  4. Contact us once you have informed the doctor, if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas.
  5. If death occurs during the night, it is not standard practice anymore for a doctor to do house calls after hours when someone passed away.

Unnatural Causes

Death as a result of other causes, eg. Motor Vehicle Accident, Murder, Suicide, Poisoning, Drowning, etc.

  1. (Or if declared Dead on Arrival)

    1. Phone Bernard Ives, who can give guidance and advice as far as possible to assist you. 
    2. Hospital staff will contact the South African Police Services.
    3. Forensic Pathology Services will collect the deceased.
    4. It is important not to remove any medical devices (eg. drips, needles, catheters, etc.) Leave everything intact, so as not to tamper with any evidence.
    5. A Post Mortem will be done by the Pathologist to ascertain the exact cause of death, whereafter they will issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
    6. If the deceased is to be a cremated, please inform Bernard Ives, so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
    7. The deceased will have to be identified by a family member/friend at Forensic Pathology Services.
    8. The Forensic Pathology Services staff member will ask the person identifying the deceased to nominate a Funeral Director.
      1. We recommend that you ask a friend to assist you with this task. It’s best not to see that this is an opportunity to pay your last respects or say your goodbyes.
      2. Bernard Ives Funerals assist families with the identification process, by accompanying the family member/friend to the Forensic Pathology Services as part of our services.
    9. Bernard Ives will collect the deceased and the Notification of Death (BI1663) from the Forensic Pathology Services.
    10. Please remember to collect any personal belongings from Forensic Pathology Services/Investigating Officer.
    11. If the deceased has been hospitalised as a result of unnatural causes, eg. a motor vehicle accident, and subsequently passed away after a period of time (days/months/years), the death might NOT be considered to be as a result of “natural causes”.
    12. Death in an operating theatre, while still under local anaesthetics, is considered to be an unnatural death.
    13. Death whilst having an epileptic fit, is not always considered to be a natural death, even if the deceased was under treatment for epilepsy.
    1. When a loved one dies at home, and they have been under medical treatment during the last three months, you should contact the doctor concerned. He/She will issue us with the BI1663 (Notification of Death) You may also wish to call your minister. Once the doctor has been informed, you may call your funeral director to collect the deceased from the place of death.
    2. The police will send an officer to take down the necessary statements.
    3. The officer will liaise with the detective on duty.
    4. Phone Bernard Ives Funerals. 
    5. If the deceased is to be a cremated, please inform Bernard Ives, so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
    6. The deceased will have to be identified by a family member/friend at Forensic Pathology Services.
    7. We recommend that you ask a friend to assist you with this task. It’s best not to see that this is an opportunity to pay your last respects or say your goodbyes.
    8. Bernard Ives Funerals will assist families with the identification process, by accompanying a family member/friend to the Forensic Pathology Services as part of our services.
    9. The Forensic Pathology Services staff member will ask the person identifying the deceased to nominate a Funeral Director.
    10. We will collect the deceased and the Notification of Death (BI1663) from the Forensic Pathology Services.
    11. Please remember to collect any personal belongings from Forensic Pathology Services/Investigating Officer.
    12. If the deceased was involved in a motor vehicle accident/drowning accident, etc. and left paralysed/disabled and subsequently passed away after a period of time (days/months/years), the death could be considered to be as a result of “unnatural causes”.
    13. Death whilst having an epileptic fit, is not always considered to be a natural death, even if the deceased was under treatment for epilepsy.

Testimonials

Words of

Appreciation

Good afternoon Aletta, I would just like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to you and Quincy (any anyone else behind the scenes) for making a very emotional, stressful situation so effortless. Your attention to details was fantastic and your calm and caring way was so appreciated by my mother, sisters and me. Thank you,
Jeremy Norwood-Young
Dear Bernard and Sheila I would just like to thank you for your amazing support and help during the very difficult time of Jan’s passing and Covid. I am deeply touched by all you did in the very difficult task of registering the death and the cremation and all the paperwork – down to the beautiful bag in which the ashes were given to us. No words could express my thanks. I have mentioned you to my friends because of your thoughtfulness and service and if the unfortunate situation arises of other loved ones passing, I will definitely ask for your assistance again. Many thanks
Sue
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    When Death Occurs

    Nothing prepares you for the emotional shock of losing someone close even if the death has been expected. In this section, we have to distinguish between natural and unnatural causes, as there is a vast difference in the procedures to be followed.

    Here are a few guidelines that may be of assistance:

    Natural Causes

    Death as a result of illness, i.e. Heart Attack, Stroke, Cancer, etc.

    1. Phone your appointed Funeral Director.(Contact us if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas)
    2. If there aren’t storage facilities at the hospital, your appointed Funeral Director might have to collect the deceased from the ward.
    3. Hospital staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
    4. If the deceased is to be a cremated, please inform the Funeral Director, so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
    5. Your Funeral Director will collect the deceased and the Notification of Death (BI1663) from the hospital.
    6. Please remember to collect any personal belongings from the hospital.
    7. If the deceased has been hospitalised as a result of unnatural causes, eg. a motor vehicle accident, and subsequently passed away after a period of time (days/months/years), the death is NOT considered to be as a result of “natural causes”.
    8. Death in an operating theatre, while still under local anaesthetics, is NOT considered to be a natural death (if the deceased did not regain his/her consciousness).
    9. Death whilst having an epileptic fit, is NOT considered to be a natural death, even though the deceased was under medical treatment for epilepsy.
    1. If during working hours, the first contact should be with the doctor who last treated the deceased. If satisfied with the cause of death, the doctor will agree to issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
    2. Your appointed Funeral Director will collect the certificate from the surgery.
    3. In the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liaise with the doctor.
    4. Contact us once you have informed the doctor, if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas.
    5. If death occurs during the night, it is not standard practice anymore for a doctor to do house calls after hours when someone passed away.
    6. If no foul play is suspected, your appointed Funeral Director may remove the deceased and liaise with the doctor the next day.
    1. If during working hours, the first contact should be with the doctor who last treated the deceased. If satisfied with the cause of death, the doctor will agree to issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
    2. Your appointed Funeral Director will collect the certificate from the surgery.
    3. In the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liaise with the doctor.
    4. Contact us once you have informed the doctor, if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas.
    5. If death occurs during the night, it is not standard practice anymore for a doctor to do house calls after hours when someone passed away.
    6. If no foul play is suspected, your appointed Funeral Director may remove the deceased and liaise with the doctor the next day.
    7.  
    8. Your appointed Funeral Director will collect the certificate from the surgery.
    9. In the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liaise with the doctor.
    10. Contact us once you have informed the doctor, if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas.
    11. If death occurs during the night, it is not standard practice anymore for a doctor to do house calls after hours when someone passed away.
    12. If no foul play is suspected, your appointed Funeral Director may remove the deceased and liaise with the doctor the next day.
    1. Contact us by phone and we can make all the necessary arrangements.
    2. Bernard Ives Funerals is a registered Importer/Exporter and authorised to handle the Repatriation of Human Remains.

    Unnatural Causes

    Death as a result of other causes, eg. Motor Vehicle Accident, Murder, Suicide, Poisoning, Drowning, etc.

    1. (Or if declared Dead on Arrival)

      1. Phone your appointed Funeral Director, who can give guidance and advice as far as possible to assist you. (Contact us if the deceased is in Gauteng or surrounding areas.)
      2. Hospital staff will contact the South African Police Services.
      3. Forensic Pathology Services will collect the deceased.
      4. It is important not to remove any medical devices (eg. drips, needles, catheters, etc.) Leave everything intact, so as not to tamper with any evidence.
      5. A Post Mortem will be done by the Pathologist to ascertain the exact cause of death, whereafter they will issue the Notification of Death (BI1663).
      6. If the deceased is to be a cremated, please inform the Funeral Director, so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
      7. The deceased will have to be identified by a family member/friend at Forensic Pathology Services.
      8. The Forensic Pathology Services staff member will ask the person identifying the deceased to nominate a Funeral Director in writing.
        1. This form is to be provided to the Forensic Pathology Services to enable the Funeral Director to collect the deceased.
        2. We recommend that you ask a friend to assist you with this task. Do not see this as an opportunity to pay last respects or say your goodbyes.
        3. Bernard Ives Funerals assist families with the identification process, by accompanying the family member/friend to the Forensic Pathology Services as part of our services.
      9. Your Funeral Director will collect the deceased and the Notification of Death (BI1663) from the Forensic Pathology Services.
      10. Please remember to collect any personal belongings from Forensic Pathology Services/Investigating Officer.
      11. If the deceased has been hospitalised as a result of unnatural causes, eg. a motor vehicle accident, and subsequently passed away after a period of time (days/months/years), the death might NOT be considered to be as a result of “natural causes”.
      12. Death in an operating theatre, while still under local anaesthetics, is considered to be an unnatural death.
      13. Death whilst having an epileptic fit, is considered to be an unnatural death, even though the deceased was under treatment for epilepsy.
      1. Contact the South African Police Services (Flying Squad or your closest Police Station).
      2. The police will send an officer to take down the necessary statements.
      3. The officer will liaise with the detective on duty.
      4. The detective will contact the Police Photographer and Forensic Pathology Services, who will collect the deceased.
      5. Phone your appointed Funeral Director, who can give guidance and advice as far as possible to assist you.(Contact us if the deceased is in the Pretoria/Centurion or surrounding areas.)
      6. It is important not to tamper with any forensic evidence on the scene.
      7. Post Mortem will be done by the Pathologist to ascertain the exact cause of death, where after they will issue the Notification of Death (BI1663). (Capital letter P)
      8. If the deceased is to be a cremated, please inform the Funeral Director, so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is needed.
      9. The deceased will have to be identified by a family member/friend at Forensic Pathology Services.
      10. We recommend that you ask a friend to assist you with this task. Do not see this as an opportunity to pay last respects or say your goodbyes.
      11. Bernard Ives Funerals will assist families with the identification process, by accompanying a family member/friend to the Forensic Pathology Services as part of our services.
      12. The Forensic Pathology Services staff member will ask the person identifying the deceased to nominate a Funeral Director in writing.
      13. This form is to be provided to the Forensic Pathology Services to enable the Funeral Director to collect the deceased.
      14. Your Funeral Director will collect the deceased and the Notification of Death (BI1663) from the Forensic Pathology Services.
      15. Please remember to collect any personal belongings from Forensic Pathology Services/Investigating Officer.
      16. If the deceased was involved in a motor vehicle accident/drowning accident, etc. and left paralysed/disabled and subsequently passed away after a period of time (days/months/years), the death could be considered to be as a result of “unnatural causes”.
      17. Death whilst having an epileptic fit, is considered to be an unnatural death, even though the deceased was under treatment for epilepsy.

    Testimonials

    Words of

    Appreciation

    Good afternoon Aletta, I would just like to say a very big ‘thank you’ to you and Quincy (any anyone else behind the scenes) for making a very emotional, stressful situation so effortless. Your attention to details was fantastic and your calm and caring way was so appreciated by my mother, sisters and me. Thank you,
    Jeremy Norwood-Young
    Dear Bernard and Sheila I would just like to thank you for your amazing support and help during the very difficult time of Jan’s passing and Covid. I am deeply touched by all you did in the very difficult task of registering the death and the cremation and all the paperwork – down to the beautiful bag in which the ashes were given to us. No words could express my thanks. I have mentioned you to my friends because of your thoughtfulness and service and if the unfortunate situation arises of other loved ones passing, I will definitely ask for your assistance again. Many thanks
    Sue
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    We're at your service

    Get In Touch

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