Help and advice for people who have been bereaved

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1 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Help and advice for people who have been bereaved i Information for relatives

2 We would like to express our sympathy for the sad loss of your loved one. We appreciate that this can be a very sad and distressing time and hope we can provide you with a little help and comfort during this difficult period. There are a number of matters you now need to arrange. We hope the following information will be helpful. However, please note that Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust does not recommend any organisation mentioned in this leaflet in particular. Nor does inclusion in the leaflet represent a recommendation by the Trust. Alternative formats may be available on request. Please alternativeformats@sth.nhs.uk Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Re-use of all or any part of this document is governed by copyright and the Re-use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2005 SI 2005 No Information on re-use can be obtained from the Information Governance Department, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals. infogov@sth.nhs.uk PIL68 PD3399 Issue date: February Review date: April 2018

3 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust NHS Parking Permit Your appointment is Day:... Date:... /... /... Time:... An appointment for the owner of this vehicle has been made with the Bereavement Services department to attend the hospital at the above date and time. Any enquiries regarding this permit please contact: Ext at the Northern General Hospital Ext at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital Important! This permit is only valid on the day of the appointment for a one hour period to coincide with the appointment time. If altered in anyway it will become VOID. INVALID For use in a valid car parking space at the Northern General Hospital and in the multistorey car park at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, subject to available space. Northern General Hospital - Tear off the permit and display in your vehicle. If this is not displayed in your vehicle you will be liable for paying the car parking charge. Royal Hallamshire Hospital The permit does not need to be displayed in your vehicle but must be given to the parking attendant at the entrance/exit to the multistorey car park. 1

4 Your appointment An appointment has been made for you to see one of our bereavement advisors; see page 1 for the date and time. Appointments for deaths that have occurred at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital or Weston Park Hospital will be at the Bereavement Office, B Floor, Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Please report to the main reception on arrival. Appointments for deaths that have occurred at the Northern General Hospital will be with the Bereavement Service on C Floor, Huntsman Building, Northern General Hospital. Please report to the main reception on arrival. When you come for your appointment, you may find it helpful to bring the following things with you: Glasses if you wear them Hearing aid if you use one Please feel free to bring someone with you for support if you wish. 2

5 About your appointment What will happen at my appointment? Your bereavement advisor will: Issue you with the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. Give you the paperwork that allows you to arrange to have the person who has died moved from the hospital (the removal order). Return any valuables or property that you have not already collected from the hospital. They will also give you a signed property sheet. Arrange for you to see the person who has died in the Chapel of Rest if you wish. Make sure you have or know where to get all the forms you will need to register the death and make funeral arrangements. 3

6 What is the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death? This is the certificate issued by a doctor who has seen the patient whilst still alive stating the cause of death. This certificate is taken to the Registrar s Office to allow you to register the death. We endeavour to have this certificate available within 48 hours following the death. However if the death occurred at the weekend or on a Bank Holiday then we will do our best to have it available as soon as possible. In cases of sudden or accidental death and even if the patient has been in hospital for sometime, the doctor may have to inform the coroner s office and the coroner may issue the Cause of Death certificate. Why might I have to get the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death from the Coroner? The coroner is an independent judicial officer who is required by law to investigate the cause and circumstances of unexpected or unnatural deaths. Depending on the circumstances, the coroner may have to order a post-mortem examination to help establish the cause of death. If the death is found to be due to natural illness the coroner will issue the certificate and papers that allow the death to be registered. However, if the post-mortem examination shows that the death is due to an unnatural event the coroner must hold an inquest first. (A separate information leaflet is available from the hospital or the coroner s office that gives more information on inquests). 4

7 If this is necessary either the bereavement advisor or the coroner s officer will do their best to notify you of this before you arrive for your appointment. The address of the coroner s office is: Medico-legal Centre Watery Street Sheffield S3 7ES Telephone: (see map on page 14) Can anyone other than a coroner ask for a post-mortem? In some instances, the medical staff may ask for your consent to undertake a hospital post mortem. This may help to increase our understanding of the disease process and help us improve the care of others in the future. Unlike a coroner s post-mortem, you can refuse to allow them to do this. If you are asked to consent, you will be provided with detailed information to help make an informed decision. If you do agree to a post-mortem, you will be asked to sign a form so that we have your written permission. In this case, you will be given the medical certificate of cause of death by one of the Bereavement Advisors not the coroner s office. 5

8 Registering a Death When do I need to register the death? In England, deaths need to be registered within 5 working days. If this is not possible you need to contact the register office and inform them of the delay. Where do I register the death? To register the death, you will need to arrange an appointment with the Registrar s Office. You can do this by phone on or alternatively you can book an appointment on line at and click on Book appointment under Deaths. Sheffield Registrar s Office The Town Hall (Back entrance) Pinstone Street Sheffield S1 2HH (see map on page 14). The office is open from 8.45am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, 8.45am to 4.45pm Friday. Its entrance is around the back of the Town Hall. If the person who has died did not live in Sheffield or you do not live in Sheffield you can choose to register the death in the town or city where they lived or you live. However, this can mean that it will take longer to make funeral arrangements with a possible delay of up to a week. Barnsley Register Office Doncaster Register Office Rotherham Register Office Chesterfield Register Office Bakewell Register Office

9 What should I take with me to register a death? Taking the following with you will help to make registering the death much less difficult. Please take: The Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death The deceased person s birth certificate The deceased person s marriage certificate (if they had one) The deceased person s medical card Your glasses if you wear them Your hearing aid if you wear one What information will the Registrar need? When you go to register a death you will be asked for certain pieces of information about the person who has died. The Registrar will need to know the person s: Date and place of death Name and surname of the deceased Maiden surname, if the deceased was a woman who had married Date and place of birth Occupation Name and occupation of spouse, where the deceased was married or widowed Name and occupation of civil partner, where the deceased was in a civil partnership or was a surviving civil partner Usual address Whether the deceased received a pension or allowance from public funds If the deceased was married or in a civil partnership, the date of birth of the surviving spouse or civil partner Most of this information can be found on the documents that you are asked to take with you. 7

10 What will I get from the registrar? Once you have answered all these questions the registrar will give you: The death certificate A certificate of burial or cremation (the green form for the Funeral Director) A white form (BD8) - for the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) You will be asked if you require any death certificates. There is a charge for each death certificate that you require. You may need a death certificate if you have to deal with: Banks and Building Societies Private Company pensions Solicitors Life Insurance Companies If you find you need extra certificates later, then you will still be able to get them but they may cost a little more. The green form should be given to the funeral director along with the removal order that the Bereavement Advisor will have given you. You should send the white form (BD8) to the relevant DWP office to notify them of the death. Alternatively you can contact the DWP on to notify them of the death. 8

11 Is there anyone else I need to tell about a death? When a person dies, it helps if you tell the following people about the death: Banks and Building Societies Gas, Electric, Water and Telephone companies Credit Card companies The Local Council The Inland Revenue The Post Office Insurance Companies Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) The Passport Office Landlords Arranging the Funeral When can I start to arrange the funeral? You can begin to make funeral arrangements as soon as you feel ready to do so. You do not have to wait until you have the medical certificate of cause of death issued by the doctor, or have registered the death. How do I find a Funeral Director? The yellow pages lists local funeral directors. Prices for funerals do vary so you might want to look at a brochure or price list before making your choice of Funeral Director. 9

12 Can I get any help with the cost of a funeral? The DSS determine a claim by what benefit(s) the next of kin is claiming and not what the deceased claimed so if you are on income support, housing benefit or family credit you may be able to get help with the cost of a funeral. Please contact your local DSS office to find out if you qualify before you make any funeral arrangements. If you do qualify, your Funeral Director will be able to help you make any claim. Alternatively, you can get the leaflet SF200 (Help with the cost of a funeral from the Social Fund) from your local DSS office. Please check the details carefully so that you understand which costs the DSS is able to help you with. Help and Support Any concerns you have about your own health during this time should be checked out with your own family doctor (GP). Most grieving individuals find it helpful to talk to their family and friends who can provide comfort and support. Some people may find that they need this from people outside their immediate circle of friends and family. There are many voluntary organisations that provide specific help and support. Some people also feel it beneficial talking to their GP or religious leader. You may wish to visit the NHS website for bereavement support and information on If you require further help and guidance with what to do next you may wish to contact the bereavement advice team on: Web: Tel: info@bereavementadvice.org 10

13 If you feel you need counselling you may wish to contact the bereavement charity Cruse Bereavement Care who offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone is bereaved. Web: National Phone: National Sheffield Phone: Sheffield Sheffield Address: 2nd Floor Alpha House 2 10 Carver Street Sheffield S1 4FS If you are aged over 50 you may wish to contact Age UK who offer advice on managing finance, accessing local services, social activities, dementia support, housing and care home support. Their opening times are Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm. Address: Age UK Sheffield 44 Castle Square Sheffield S1 2GF Telephone: enquiries@ageuksheffield.org.uk Web: 11

14 Hospital Chaplains Hospital chaplains are available to support you, whether or not you belong to a particular faith community. They can accompany viewing in hospital, say prayers, or offer time and space to listen and support. There are also chapels and prayer rooms on most hospital sites. If you would like to see a chaplain, please ask a member of staff. Or you can contact them yourself through the relevant hospital switchboard by requesting the on-call chaplain. Northern General Hospital Royal Hallamshire Hospital Weston Park Hospital Where can I get more information? If you are unsure about anything to do with your appointment with our Bereavement Advisors or about registering a death then please do not hesitate to call us on: Royal Hallamshire Hospital Northern General Hospital Weston Park Hospital The Trust Bereavement Services Manager

15 Your Notes 13

16 YORK Directions to Sheffield Registrar s Office A61 BELLEFIELD FAWCETT BRAMWELL A61 DOVER JERICHO MALINDA MONTGOMERY TERRACE ROAD MEADOW MEDICAL LEGAL CENTRE HENRY MORPETH UPPER ALLEN ROSCOE ROAD NETHERTHORPE ROAD HOYLE EDWARD SOLLY A61 SHEPHERD GARDEN GREEN LANE HOLLIS CROFT DUN FIELDS ALLEN CROSS SMITHFIELD SOUTH PARADE TRINITY SNOW LANE SCOTLAND SOLLY WHITE CROFT A57 FROM NORTHERN GENERAL HOSPITAL A61 RUSSELL LEE CROFT TENTER ALMA SPRING A57 QUEEN CORPORATION STRRET LOVE A61 CAMPO LANE BRIDGE BANK HARTS HEAD CASTLE A61 MILLSANDS A61 A6134 UPPER HANOVER A57 GELL SIDDALL PORTOBELLO VICTORIA REGENT SOLLY CAVENDISH MAPPIN A57 PITT WEST DEVONSHIRE FITZWILLIAM NEWCASTLE PORTOBELLO HOLLAND B6069 WESTFIELD TERRACE BAILEY LANE BAILEY WEST ROCKINGHAM WELLINGTON TRIPPET LANE FROM ROYAL HALLAMSHIRE HOSPITAL CARVER LANE CARVER BALM GREEN DIVISION B6069 CAMBRIDGE BURGESS LEOPOLD PINSTONE CHURCH GEORGE REGISTRAR S OFFICE TOWN HALL SURREY NORFOLK ARUNDEL GATE SHEFFIELD ARUNDEL GATE A621 CRUCIBLE THEATRE Copyright Publications

17 Sheffield Hospitals Charity Giving a gift in memory of a loved one is an extremely valuable way to commemorate their life. By donating to Sheffield Hospitals Charity you can play a vital role in helping to improve the future care and treatment of local patients. Donations can be made via our secure website at sheffieldhospitalscharity.org.uk or by sending a cheque made payable to Sheffield Hospitals Charity to Freepost RTLA-AKYY-TKEE Sheffield Hospitals Charity, Fulwood House, 5 Old Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3TG. Please include your contact details so we can thank you for your kind support. Please get in touch with us if we can help in any way, by calling or ing charity@shct.nhs.uk 15

18 Your Notes 16

19 Your Notes 17

21 N AT I O N A L SAIF INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS N AT I O N A L SAIF INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS

25 N AT I O N A L SAIF INDEPENDENT FUNERAL DIRECTORS

32 Published by RNS Publications Tel: R14

A practical guide for when someone dies in hospital

St George s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust NHS A practical guide for when someone dies in hospital Inside front cover Introduction This booklet contains details about what needs to be done after