Supporting You Through a Loved Ones Passing

If the Expected Death Occurs at Home or in a Nursing Home

When a loved one passes away at home or in a nursing home, the first step is to contact their doctor (GP) or the nursing staff to confirm the death. This is crucial unless you’ve already received specific instructions on what to do.

• During normal working hours: Contact the deceased’s GP practice. A GP or another trained practitioner (e.g., community nurse, ambulance clinician) will visit to verify the death.
• Out of hours: Contact NHS 111. They will guide you on next steps, which may involve a visit from an out-of-hours GP service or a community nurse to verify the death.
• No immediate rush: It’s important to remember there’s no immediate rush to have the deceased person taken to a funeral director. You can take some time with your loved one and contact family or friends.
• Verification of Death: The healthcare professional will perform a series of checks (e.g., listening for heart sounds, checking for breathing and pupillary response) to confirm death. They will also note the official time of death.

Once the death is verified, you should contact a Funeral Director. They can arrange for the deceased to be removed from the home and taken into their care, or simply provide advice during this challenging time. Funeral directors are available 24/7.

 

If the Expected Death Occurs in a Hospital

If the expected death occurs in a hospital, the process begins with the hospital contacting the next of kin. The hospital staff will guide you through the initial steps. The deceased will typically be kept in the hospital mortuary until arrangements are made with a funeral director. Once contacted, the family should get in touch with a Funeral Director at their earliest convenience.

 

The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

Regardless of where the death occurred, either a GP or a hospital doctor will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This vital document states the medical cause of death and is typically emailed directly to the Local Registry Office. You will not usually receive a physical copy of the MCCD. The doctor issuing the MCCD must have seen the patient either in person or via video consultation within the last 28 days of their life OR seen the deceased after death.

 

Registering the Death

Once the MCCD has been issued, you will need to make an appointment with the Register Office to register the death. This can usually be done by telephone or online. Legally, a death in England and Wales must be registered within five days (eight days in Scotland).

 

Who can register a death? The death should ideally be registered by a relative of the deceased. If this isn’t possible, other individuals who can register include:

• Someone who was present at the death.
• The occupier of the premises where the death occurred (e.g., an official from a nursing home or hospital).
• The person making arrangements with the funeral director.

 

What to take to the Register Office: You must take the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) with you, unless the coroner has sent their documentation directly to the registrar. It is also helpful, though not essential, to bring the following documents of the deceased:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate (if applicable)
• NHS medical card
• Passport
• Driving licence
• Council tax bill
• Proof of your own address (e.g., a utility bill)

 

Information you will need to provide to the Registrar:

• Full name of the deceased (and any previous names, e.g., maiden name)
• Date and place of death
• Last address
• Date and place of birth
• Occupation
• Full name, date of birth, and occupation of a surviving or late spouse/civil partner (if applicable)
• Whether the deceased was receiving a State Pension or any other benefits

 

What you will receive from the Registrar:

• Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the ‘green form’): This free certificate gives permission for burial or application for cremation. You should give this to your Funeral Director as soon as possible.
• Certificate of Registration of Death (Form BD8): This provides information about the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Bereavement Service, which you should contact to report the death and inquire about any benefits.
• Certified Copies of the Death Certificate: You can purchase official copies of the death certificate at the time of registration. It is advisable to buy several copies as you will need them for various administrative tasks, such as informing banks, pension companies, and insurance providers. Purchasing them at this stage is usually cheaper than ordering them later.

 

When a Death is Referred to the Coroner

During the registration process, the Registrar will determine if the death needs to be reported to the coroner. This can happen even if a death was expected. A death will typically be referred to the coroner if:

• The cause of death is unknown or uncertain.
• The death was violent or unnatural (e.g. accident, suicide).
• The death occurred in prison or police custody.
• The deceased had not been seen by a doctor for their last illness within 28 days of their death.
• The death may be linked to the person’s occupation (e.g., industrial disease).
• There are any suspicious circumstances.
• The death occurred during or shortly after a medical treatment or procedure.
• If the Registrar does not report the death to the coroner: The Registrar will officially register the death, and you will receive the necessary certificates.
• If the Registrar does report the death to the coroner: The death cannot be registered until the coroner’s investigations are complete and they issue a certificate allowing registration. This may delay the funeral arrangements. The coroner may order a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. You will be contacted by a Coroner’s Liaison Officer who will provide guidance and information. The consent of the next of kin is not required for a coroner’s post-mortem. If the coroner is satisfied that death was from natural causes and no further investigation is needed, they will issue a notification to the Registrar, and the death can then be registered.

 

Considering Cremation

If the wish is for the funeral to be a cremation, it’s important to inform the GP or Hospital Bereavement Office of this decision. The GP or hospital doctors will then prepare the necessary statutory forms required for cremation. This often involves two doctors signing a form (Part 1 by the deceased’s doctor and Part 2 by an independent doctor), and this process needs to be completed at least two days prior to the cremation.

 

Navigating the immediate aftermath of an expected death can be overwhelming. At The Live In Care Company, we hope this guide provides clarity and support during this challenging time. Remember, funeral directors and bereavement services are there to assist you every step of the way.