The death of a loved one is a very difficult time, and this guidance outlines the steps to take:
Immediately after a death
- the death needs to be confirmed or 'verified' by a trained health professional, whether this has occured in a hospital, care home, hospice or at home
- if an expected death takes place at home in the day, a trained health professional can be called to 'verify' that death has indeed taken place. Overnight it may be 111, or a nursing team who have been trained to 'verify'
- a funeral director can then be called to collect the body, but there is no rush. Many people find it a comfort, especially at home, to stay with their loved one for some time before the body is collected, but it is usual for the body to be collected within 24 hours
- the death then needs to be legally registered within 5 days (unless the death has been reported to the Coroner) - appointments with your Borough Register Office can be made by phone or online
- the doctor (any doctor who has seen the patient at some stage in this illness) will then email the proposed cause of death to the Medical Examiner who will then call the family. The Medical Examiner will then confirm the cause of death with the Registrar and an appointment can be made.
- The Medical Examiner is a new step in this process - a team of doctors who consider the cause of death suggested by the care team and who will talk to you about this and get your feedback. It shouldn't delay the registration process
- You will need certain information for your appointment with the Registrar
- At the face to face appointment, the Registrar will give you the formal Death Certificate (plus extra copies if you wish) and the 'green form' (Certificate for Burial or Cremation) which allows the funeral director to proceed with plans for cremation or burial
A death is reported to the Coroner
- If the main cause of death is unclear
- If the patient hasn't seen a doctor for more than 28 days
- If the death is thought to be unnatural - accident, trauma or suicide
- if the death is due to a recognised industrial cause eg asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma
Financial support
- Help with funeral costs if you receive certain benefits
- Bereavement support payment if your husband, wife or civil partner has died under State Pension age - this is significant and people are often unaware of this benefit