Advice for the bereaved

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Candice Benson
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1 Patient Information Accident and Emergency Department Advice for the bereaved Author: Accident and Emergency Produced and designed by the Communications Team Issue date Jun Review date Jun Expiry date Jun 2020 Version 2 Ref no. PILCOM1086

2 We extend our condolences to you at this sad time. We hope the following advice will be useful. Please do not worry if you do not take in this information straightaway. It is something to take home and read from time to time. However, it does contain some practical advice, as there are a number of things you will need to arrange during the next few days. Deaths occurring in Accident and Emergency When a person is dead on arrival at hospital or dies in the Accident and Emergency Department, this will be reported to the Coroner s Offi ce. The Coroner s Offi ce deals with sudden and unexpected deaths, but this does not mean that the death is suspicious. The Coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating sudden or unexplained deaths and may, in such circumstances, arrange for a post mortem examination to be carried out. A Coroner s Offi cer will contact you or another member of your family. They will guide and assist you in all matters concerning the death and will inform you if a post mortem examination is necessary, and will make arrangements for a death certifi cate to be issued. Registering the death Deaths have to be registered with the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths. The Coroner s Officer will submit documents direct to the Registrar and will advise you when you will be able to complete the registration of the death. This is a legal requirement and must be done within fi ve days from when a certifi cate is issued. The law also requires the death to be registered at the appropriate Registry Office. You will fi nd details of how to get in touch with the Registrar at the end of this leafl et. The Coroner s Offi cer is available Monday to Friday during offi ce hours and can be contacted on:

3 Who can register the death? The person who registers the death needs to be a qualifi ed informant. A qualified informant is anybody from the list below: Wife / husband / civil partner / parent Son / daughter Son-in-law / daughter-in-law Brother / sister Niece / nephew Grandson / granddaughter Other relative (where no one close can attend) Person deemed to have responsibility for caring for the deceased The person who is registering the death should also be one of the following: Next of kin Present at the death The person dealing with the funeral arrangements When visiting the Registrar, please take with you: The deceased s medical card (if possible) The deceased s birth certificate and marriage certifi cate (if possible) Details you will need to know: The date and place of death The deceased s last (usual) address The deceased s full name (first and all middle names), surname and maiden name (if applicable) The deceased s date and place of birth The deceased s occupation and, where appropriate, the full name and occupation of their husband/ wife/civil partner Whether they were married, or in a civil partnership and the date of birth of the surviving partner (if applicable) The Registrar will in turn provide you with a certifi cate for burial or cremation (known as a green form ) unless the Coroner has already given you an order for burial or a certifi cate for cremation. 3

4 The death certifi cate is a certifi ed copy of the entry in the Register of Deaths. It is worth noting that, in order to sort out certain pension and insurance policies, copies of the death certifi cate may be required later. Copies can be obtained from the Registrar (for which there is a fee). Funeral arrangements You may fi nd it helpful to start making initial arrangements with a funeral director of your choice, but arrangements for the funeral cannot be fi nalised until the death has been registered. Macmillan hospital-based counselling service The Macmillan team offer counselling for people affected by cancer or any other life changing illness, at any stage of their journey, including bereavement. The service is open to patients and family members (aged 16 upwards). They are able to see people in their offi ces as well as supporting them during their inpatient stay at Basildon Hospital. For information please telephone: ext Hospital chaplaincy Although nobody can fully take away your sadness or pain, you may be able to fi nd some help and support from the hospital chaplaincy service. The hospital chaplains are available to offer care and support to bereaved relatives and friends. This care is offered irrespective of the individual s religion or belief. The chaplains are available 24 hours a day and if you are in the hospital they can be contacted through a member of staff. To contact the chaplains at any other time please telephone ext

5 Support and comfort Some people fi nd it helps to share their sadness, others fi nd it very hard to talk about the person who died. You may wish to seek help and support from any of the groups and organisations which are detailed below: Cruse Bereavement Care Helpline: Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) Tel: Basildon Citizens Advice Bureau Tel: Samaritans Local: National: Basildon Council Offi ces Tel: British Humanist Association Tel: Inheritance Tax & Probate Tel: (for wills and estates) Practical help If you are currently receiving Income Support or other benefits, you may be entitled to fi nancial help with funeral expenses. The DWP will be glad to answer any general enquiries, please contact them on If the deceased was aged 60 or over and receiving a retirement pension or pension credits, please contact the Basildon and Thurrock Department for Work and Pensions Helpline on Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths: Tel: Local offi ce - Basildon Registry Offi ce: Basildon Centre St. Martins Square Basildon Essex SS14 1DL Tel: Thurrock Borough Council Tel:

6 Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) The PALS service based at Basildon Hospital can: Give support and advice to patients, families and carers. Listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries. Help sort out problems quickly on your behalf. Provide information about hospital services. We also offer a walk-in service 9am-5pm Monday-Friday (excluding bank holidays). Tel: pals@btuh.nhs.uk 6

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8 Not to be photocopied Basildon University Hospital Nethermayne Basildon Essex SS16 5NL Minicom Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) E pals@btuh.nhs.uk W The Trust will not tolerate aggression, intimidation or violence directed towards its staff. This is a smokefree Trust. Smoking is not allowed in any of our hospital buildings or grounds. This information can be provided in a different language or format (for example, large print, Braille or audio version) on request.

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