Losing someone close to you is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, and in the hours that follow, it’s common to feel unsure of what needs to happen next.

At D Wynne Evans & Sons, we’ve supported families across South Wales through this exact moment for many years, and we know that having a clear idea of the first few steps can make an overwhelming time feel just a little more manageable.

Here’s a simple guide to help you through those first steps.

1. Get in touch with the right people first

Where the death takes place shapes what happens immediately afterwards. If your loved one was at home or under hospice care, your first call should be to their doctor or hospice nurse. If they were in a hospital or care facility, staff there will take care of the immediate procedures on your behalf. If the death was sudden or unexpected, your first call should always be to emergency services.

2. Call us, whenever you’re ready

Once the immediate authorities have been notified, please reach out to us. Our team is available day or night, and we’re here to talk you through what happens next, at whatever pace feels right for you. There is no need to have everything figured out before you call – that’s exactly what we’re here to help with.

3. Let us handle the transport

If your loved one has passed away somewhere other than a hospital or care facility, we can arrange to bring them into our care ourselves. This is handled personally, and always with the same care and respect you’d expect from a trusted local funeral director.

4. Gather a few key documents

At some point, you’ll need a handful of documents – identification, healthcare or insurance details, and any pre-arrangement paperwork your loved one may have already put in place. These are needed for things like registering the death and processing insurance claims, but this can wait until you feel ready; there’s no need to rush this step.

5. Lean on family and friends

Please don’t feel you need to carry this alone. Letting close family and friends know early on means you have people around you who can help share the load, offer comfort, and support you with some of the practical decisions ahead.

6. Talk through the funeral arrangements

When you’re ready, we’ll sit down with you to talk through the options available – whether that’s a traditional service, a more personal celebration of life, burial, or cremation. We’ll guide you through every decision, from choosing a casket or urn to arranging visitation and transport, at a pace that suits you.

7. A few practical notifications

In time, it’s worth letting your loved one’s employer, solicitor, and any relevant organisations know what’s happened, along with cancelling appointments or subscriptions and arranging for mail to be redirected if needed. None of this needs to happen immediately.

8. Give yourself permission to seek support

Grief affects everyone differently, and there’s no right way to feel. If it would help, we’re always happy to point you toward local bereavement support groups, counsellors, or therapists – please just ask.

Above all, please remember: you don’t have to face any of this alone. Whenever you’re ready, our team at D Wynne Evans & Sons is here to help you honour your loved one’s memory with the respect and dignity they deserve.