What To Do When Death Occurs
When it comes to handling a bereavement, we understand that many people may not know what to expect whilst going through the funeral arrangements process. Our aim is to ensure we provide support, guidance and a compassionate service to make the process that little bit easier.
If The Death Occurs At Home
- You should contact the GP or designated medical practitioner responsible for your loved-one’s care to arrange for the verification of their death.
- Once the death has been verified, please contact us at any time, day or night. We will then arrange for our team to bring your loved-one into our care.
- The GP will then complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it to the Medical Examiner (ME).
- The ME’s role is to review your loved-one’s medical records, discuss the proposed cause of death with the GP, and ensure the MCCD accurately reflects the true cause of death. They will also contact you, offering an independent point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding your loved-one’s care and the cause of death.
- The ME will then send the MCCD to the local Registry Office.
- You can then register your loved-one’s death with the local Registry Office. Whilst some Registry Offices may contact you, we recommend reaching out to them directly to confirm they’ve received the MCCD and avoid any delays.
- The Registry Office will advise you of any documentation required for the appointment.
- Once you have an appointment to register the death, please contact us to start planning your loved-one’s funeral.
- After the death has been registered, you will be issued with a formal Death Certificate and a Green Certificate (Form 9), which will be sent to us directly
If a death occurs suddenly outside of a medical setting or the deceased has not been seen by a medical professional in approximately the last fourteen days:
- Dial 999 and request an ambulance and police immediately
- The Emergency Services will arrange for the deceased to be taken to a mortuary
- The death will be reported to a Coroner
- The Coroner may call for a post-mortem or an inquest and will keep you informed at each stage of the process.
While the Coroner completes their investigations, you are welcome to contact us for any further help and assistance.
If The Death Occurs In A Hospital
- The Hospital Bereavement team will prepare the initial steps to have all necessary paperwork completed.
- Your loved-one will be looked after by the Hospital Mortuary staff until collection from their care can be arranged.
- The attending Doctor looking after your loved-one whilst in Hospital, will complete the Medical Certicate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it to the Medical Examiner (ME).
- The ME’s role is to review your loved-one’s medical records, discuss the proposed cause of death with the Doctor, and ensure the MCCD accurately reflects the true cause of death. They will also contact you, offering an independent point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding your loved-one’s care and the cause of death.
- The ME will then send the MCCD to the local Registry Office.
- You can then register your loved-one’s death with the local Registry Office. Whilst some Registry Offices may contact you, we recommend reaching out to them directly to confirm they’ve received the MCCD and avoid any delays.
- The Registry Office will advise you of any documentation required for the appointment.
- Once you have an appointment to register the death, please contact us to start planning your loved-one’s funeral.
- After the death has been registered, you will be issued with a formal Death Certificate and a Green Certificate (Form 9), which will be sent to us directly.
- Please note that only once we receive the Green Certificate can we arrange the collection of your loved-one from the hospital into our care.
If Death Occurs At A Nursing Or Residential Home
- Please inform the Care Home or Nursing Home that Liam Stafford Funeral Directors. will be looking after your loved-one’s funeral arrangements.
- The care team at the Home will arrange for a suitable medical practitioner to verify your loved-one’s death.
- Once the death has been verified, the care team will contact us at any time, day or night. We will then arrange for our team to bring your loved-one into our care.
- The care team will send the relevant information to your loved-one’s GP, who will then complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) and send it to the Medical Examiner (ME).
- The ME’s role is to review your loved-one’s medical records, discuss the proposed cause of death with the GP, and ensure the MCCD accurately reflects the true cause of death. They will also contact you, offering an independent point of contact for any questions or concerns regarding your loved-one’s care and the cause of death.
- The ME will then send the MCCD to the local Registry Office.
- You can then register your loved-one’s death with the local Registry Office. Whilst some Registry Offices may contact you, we recommend reaching out to them directly to confirm they’ve received the MCCD and avoid any delays.
- The Registry Office will advise you of any documentation required for the appointment.
- Once you have an appointment to register the death, please contact us to start planning your loved-one’s funeral.
- After the death has been registered, you will be issued with a formal Death Certificate and a Green Certificate (Form 9), which will be sent to us directly.
