What To Do When Someone Dies
Please click one of the scenarios to be navigated to the relevant section, or read information below to find out about each possibility, should the unexpected happen.
In Hospital
In Hospital
If the death occurs in hospital, the hospital staff will contact the person named by the deceased as next of kin. This may be, but does not need to be a relative. The hospital will advise whether it is possible for a doctor to issue the medical certificate, and when this will be available for collection. If a doctor who has treated the deceased is unable to issue a death certificate the death will be reported to HM Coroner for that district.
Please note that hospital bereavement offices are usually only open during normal working weekdays.
For advice contact us as soon as possible.
At Home Or In A Nursing Home
If the death was expected, contact the doctor who attended the deceased during their final illness. If the death occurred at a Nursing Home the staff will contact the doctor. If the doctor can certify the cause of death you will be given:
- A Medical Certificate that shows the cause of death (this will be in a sealed envelope, addressed to the registrar).
- A Formal Notice which states that the doctor has signed the Medical Certificate and tells you how to register the death.
For advice contact us as soon as possible.
Sudden Death
If death is sudden or unexpected, you should contact the following people:
- the family doctor (if known)
- the deceased’s nearest relative
- the police, who will help find the people listed above if necessary.
If there is any reason to suspect that the death was not due to natural causes, do not touch or remove anything in the room. The death may be referred to the coroner.
For advice contact us as soon as possible.
The Coroner Is Involved
In any of the following circumstances the doctor may report the death to the coroner:
- an accident or injury
- an industrial disease
- during a surgical operation
- before recovering from an anaesthetic
- if the cause of death is unknown
- the death was sudden and unexplained
If the person who has died has not been seen or treated by a doctor within the last 14 days or has been admitted into hospital less than 24 hours before they died the death must be reported to the coroner.
For advice contact us as soon as possible.