What to do when someone dies

It can be very hard to what to do when someone dies, especially if you’ve never experienced a personal loss before. For immediate help or advice on what to do after the death of a loved one, call us on 01904 593096. You will speak directly to a member of our family. We will help you through every stage of the process and answer any questions you may have.

Below, we have detailed the steps for what to do when someone dies in hospital or a hospice, in a nursing or care home, or at home. 

In Hospital or Hospice

When a death occurs in hospital or hospice, it is usually expected by the doctors treating the patient. This means that the doctor will be able to issue a Cause of Death Certificate which in turn is used to register the death.

The medical cause of death certificate is usually issued via the bereavement officer at the hospital. It can be collected by arrangement with them.

If for any reason the doctor feels they are not in a position to issue the cause of death certificate they will refer the case on. A Coroner will then decide whether a certificate can be issued or whether further investigation is necessary.

If further investigation is required, a Post Mortem Examination may be ordered. This is usually to determine the exact cause of death. In most cases this will not necessarily cause delay in making funeral arrangements.

After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the body to the funeral director. They will also supply the Register Office with the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend and register the death.

You can reach out to our funeral directors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements.

In a Nursing or Care Home

When a death occurs in a nursing or care home, the deceased’s usual doctor, or an on call doctor, will be called to confirm death. Only after the doctor has attended can the family or home staff call the funeral director to take the deceased into their care. The deceased’s normal doctor will issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate. This is normally collected from the surgery in order to register the death.

If the death is unexpected, the death may be reported to the Coroner in which case the police will attend on the Coroner’s behalf and the *Coroner’s nominated funeral director will be called to remove the deceased to hospital to await further investigations. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the body to the funeral director. They will also supply the Register Office with the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend and register the death.

*Please note – You are under no obligation to use the Coroner’s funeral director for funeral arrangements. They are only contracted to convey the deceased to hospital, or store the body until it can be taken to the hospital if out of normal working hours.

You are welcome to contact us on 01904 593096, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any advice, to take your loved one into our care, or to start making provisional arrangements.

At Home

When death occurs at a private residence, the first call is to the normal doctor or duty on call doctor. Only after the doctor has confirmed death can the funeral director take the deceased into their care. The deceased’s own doctor will issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate to the family who can then register the death.

If the death is unexpected, the death may be reported to the Coroner. In which case, the police will attend on the Coroner’s behalf. The *Coroner’s nominated funeral director then will be called to remove the deceased to hospital to await further investigations. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the body to the funeral director and supply the Register Office with the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend and register the death.

*Please note – You are under no obligation to use the Coroner’s funeral director for funeral arrangements. They are only contracted to convey the deceased to hospital, or store the body until it can be taken to the hospital if out of normal working hours.

Contact us on 01904 593096, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for support through this process.

Need help or advice?

We are here to help and support you and your family through one of the most difficult times of your lives.

Get in touch

01904 593096

info@rowleyandsons.co.uk

Need help or advice?

We are here to help and support you and your family through one of the most difficult times of your lives. If you need funeral support, please contact our compassionate funeral directors.

Get in touch

info@rowleyandsons.co.uk