A Guide to help following a death.

A general guide

The first part of the guide aims to explain what happens immediately following a death, including information about what happens if a death has been referred to a Coroner and the role of the Medical Examiner. (This is particular to a death in   Hospital in the Chichester Area but it is similar across England)

Introduction

Please telephone the Bereavement Office based at the hospital where your relative died, after 12:00 noon on the next working day after their death.

St Richard’s Hospital: 01243 831668

Worthing Hospital: 01903 285261

A member of the bereavement team will:

  • Ask you for your contact details and relationship to your loved one, their    occupation and whether you have chosen a cremation or burial.
  • Explain the procedure for issuing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
  • Advise you of the probable time scale. Please be aware that in some circumstances this can sometimes take several days.
  •   Advise on any belongings.

Medical Examiner Office

A Medical Examiner (ME) or Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) will contact the next of kin or the person who will be registering the death to discuss the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

The Medical Examiners are part of a national system of independent, specifically trained, senior doctors who have not been involved in the care of the deceased. Medical Examiner Officers come from a range of backgrounds within healthcare and are involved in all stages of the Medical Examiner service.

The Medical Examiner system involves a review of relevant medical notes and provides an opportunity for you to ask any questions or raise any concerns regarding the cause of death.

If you do not wish to be contacted by the MEO or would prefer to arrange a time frame for the call please let the bereavement office know.

Alternatively you can contact the Medical Examiner Offices via uhsussex.medicalexaminersoffice@nhs.net

If you would like more information on the Medical Examiner

Office please use the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/establishing-medical-examiner-

system-nhs/

Bereavement Office – 

When the Medical Certificate of Cause Death is completed a member of the bereavement team will contact you:

  •   To advise you that the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been electronically sent to the Registrars and give any information you may require.
  •   Ask you for funeral directors that you have instructed.
  •  Arrange handing belongings that have been given over to the Bereavement Office staff from the ward.
  •   Provide any additional advice and information you may need.

Viewings 

A member of the bereavement team will be able to discuss this with you and advise the latest information.

Registry Office 

It is important not to arrange the appointment at the Registrar’s Office until we have told you that the Medical Certificate Cause of Death is ready.

Registry Office appointments can be made, either:

The Registrar will ask you the following questions about the deceased:

You need to know the following:

  • The date and place of death.
  • The deceased’s full name and surname, (maiden name if applicable) and date and place of birth.
  • The deceased’s occupation, (if the deceased was a married woman or widow, the name and occupation of her spouse).
  • The deceased’s usual address.
  • The date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

Coroners’ Referrals

In some cases we refer deaths to the Coroner and in some cases the Coroner may then order an inquest or post mortem to find out how the person died. Legally, a post mortem must be carried out if the cause of death is potentially unnatural or unknown. The Coroner knows this can be a very difficult situation for families and will only carry out a post mortem after careful consideration.

A family can appeal this in writing to the Coroner, giving their reasons, and should let the Coroner know they intend to do this as soon as possible. However, a Coroner makes the final decision, and if necessary, can order a post mortem even when a family does not agree.

Please note that the body of your loved one will not be released for burial or cremation until it is completed, although the Coroner will do their best to minimize any delay to funeral arrangements.

We will inform you if we have referred the death to the Coroner.

You can speak directly to the local Coroner’s Office about having a post-mortem and/or inquest.

Contact details for the local Coroner’s Office are:

• Via telephone on 01273 404012/13

Or email wscoroners@sussex.pnn.police.uk

Checklist

Arrange for tissue donation, if applicable.  It may be possible for your loved one to donate tissues to help others now they have died. If this is something you think they would want please call Tissue Services on 0800 432/0559 or contact the hospital staff where your loved one was cared for.  Tissue Donation is time sensitive, so this is one area where it is very important to act quickly.

Notify close friends and family. Every family is different, and there’s no one right way to do this. For some families, sharing the news in person or over the phone is critical. For others an email or text message may be acceptable. If possible, split up the task between several family members.

Decide on funeral plans.

A funeral director can help you arrange either a burial or cremation. We recommend checking reviews and prices for a few different funeral homes before making a decision, as both can vary widely. Cremation guidance can be accessed The Cremation (England and Wales) Regulations 2008 – guidance for applicants.

Arrange care for any pets or dependents. If your loved one was responsible for caring for any person or pets, quickly find someone who can care for them temporarily while you reflect on the wishes of the deceased and make a long-term plan.

Secure major property. If your loved one lived on their own, make sure his or her home and any vehicles are locked up. If it will sit vacant for some time, consider notifying the landlord and/or their neighbours, so they can help to keep an eye on it.  Contact the company that insure the house to inform them of the situation.