It is usual for people to be unsure of what to do following bereavement. We recommend you contact us as soon as possible following a death and we can take you through the initial steps and provide advice on things you need to do when someone dies, the following information offers some initial guidance.
Contact us as soon as possible for any assistance or help you require
When someone dies in hospital
Hospital staff will arrange for a doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of
Death, which you will need to collect, along with any belongings, from the
hospital. If the funeral is to be a cremation, please advise the hospital
staff so they can make arrangements for any additional documentation that is
needed. If a doctor who has treated the deceased is unable to issue a death
certificate the death will be reported to H.M Coroner for that district.
Contact us and we will make further necessary arrangements
When someone
dies at home or in a nursing home
The first contact should be with the deceased's doctor who, if satisfied
with the cause of death, will issue the Medical Certificate of Death. In
some cases you may be asked to collect the certificate from the surgery. In
the case of a nursing home death, their staff should liaise with the doctor.
If a doctor who has treated the deceased is unable to issue a death
certificate the death will be reported to H.M Coroner for that district.
Contact us as soon as possible and we will make further necessary arrangements
When someone dies unexpectedly
If death is sudden or unexpected it is normal for the coroner to be involved, you should contact the following people;
The family Doctor if known
The deceased
nearest relative
The police, who will help find the people listed
above if necessary
If the deceased has not been under a doctor's care
on a regular basis, the emergency doctor, or any police involved, will
inform the relevant Coroner’s office.
Contact us, we can help and advise you on the procedures involved
