Who's who?

Administrator The legal representative of someone who has died without a Will, usually one of the deceased's closest relatives
OR the legal representative of a deceased person who has died with a Will but where there are no executors able or willing to act.
Anatomical technologist or Technician A trained professional who assists a pathologist with post mortem examinations.
Asset holder Anyone who holds money or property on behalf of the deceased.
Barrister See 'Lawyer'.
Beneficiary Someone who will inherit from a Will or under the intestacy laws (which govern what happens when someone dies without a Will).
Also the recipient of a payment under a Trust or a life insurance policy.
Celebrant Someone who carries out official duties at a ceremony, e.g. a funeral.
Certifier of Death The doctor who completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. He/she must have cared for the deceased during life and be certain of the cause of death - and that it is of natural causes.
Coroner The independent judicial officer who investigates unnatural and unexplained deaths.
Coroner's officer Person working under the supervision of the coroner in the investigation of deaths. May be a civilian or a police officer.
Counsellor A qualified person who provides emotional therapy to others either in one-to-one interviews or though group meetings.
Embalmer Works for a funeral director; cares for the deceased, to preserve the condition of their body
Executor A person appointed in a Will to administer the deceased's estate.
Funeral arranger Works for a funeral director, making the practical arrangements for a funeral.
Funeral director Sometimes called an undertaker. Takes responsibility for the care of the deceased and for arranging and conducting funerals.
Lawyer There are three main categories of lawyer; solicitors, legal executives and barristers. They are all qualified professionals specialising in legal matters. Solicitors and legal executives are both able to assist in writing Wills and in dealing with the administration of estates of deceased persons. Barristers are able to assist in representing clients in court.
Legal executive See 'Lawyer'.
Next of kin The person who, in law, is the closest relation to the deceased
Officiant See 'Celebrant'
Pall bearer A person who carries the coffin at a funeral. This may be a professional employee of the funeral director, or a relative or friend of the deceased.
Pathologist A specialist doctor who diagnoses disease through the examination of body tissues and fluids. This may include carrying out post mortem examinations.
Personal representative An Executor or Administrator.
Probate registry An office of the Probate Service (part of Her Majesty's Courts Service) which issues a Grant of Representation to the personal representatives of a deceased person, giving them the formal legal authority to deal with the deceased's estate.
Procurator fiscal The independent judicial officer who investigates unnatural and unexplained deaths in Scotland.
Power of attorney Formal deed by which one person appoints another to act on his/her behalf or represent him/her, usually in respect of conducting financial affairs. The deed ceases to have effect on the appointer's death.
Registrar Registrar of Birth and Deaths. Employed by local authorities to receive information on deaths and issue death certificates.
Sexton Responsible for church graveyards. It is usually best to approach the priest in charge, rector or vicar in the first instance to arrange burial in a churchyard.
Solicitor See 'Lawyer'.
Verifier of death Person who confirms that death has occurred. The point at which they do this is usually taken as the official time of death. This can be a doctor or in some circumstances a nurse or ambulance paramedic.

Find out more

To find out more, please call us now on:

0800 195 2924

© ITC