What to do when someone has died
Supporting you with your bereavement
How we can help
Our Care Navigators will probably be the first point of contact when someone has died. There role is to gather information about your family member or friend and their next of kin. They will ensure the last GP to see your family member or friend starts the process to complete a death certificate and referral to the medical examiner or coroner. Our practice has a designated bereavement support officer who oversees the process and are available to speak to if you have any queries about this process.
What to do when someone dies
There is a lot to take in when someone close to you dies and some official things that need attention. Some people find it helpful to have a family member or friend support them. A Funeral Director can also be a helpful guide.
Family or friend has died at home
If your family member or friend has been cared for at home and the death is expected, a Community Nurse from the Neighbourhood Team is often involved. It is important to contact the Neighbourhood Team when your family member or friend dies as they can advise you on what to do next. They will visit to confirm the person has died (known as formal verification of death). If a Community Nurse is not able to verify the death or if the death is unexpected, you will need to contact us as their registered GP, or the out of hours GP service via NHS 111. Arrangements will be made to visit to confirm the person has died.
If your family member or friend has been cared for in a hospice
If your family member or friend has been cared for in a hospice. They will support you and provide you with bereavement support. Please visit the hospice website
If your family member or friend has been cared for in hospital
If your family member or friend has been cared for in a hospital They will support you and provide you with bereavement support. Please visit the hospital website
Death Certificate and Referral to the Medical Examiner
A doctor will need to make a referral to the Medical Examiner and complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death which states the cause of death. Once the Medical Examiner has accepted the referral, the next of kin will be contacted by them to start the process to register the death.
Unexpected Death and Referral to the Coroner
In the event that the death is unexpected, A doctor will need to make a referral to the coroner to establish a cause of death. Once the Coroner has accepted the referral, the next of kin will be contacted by them.
If a post-mortem is needed
In some circumstances, if a death has been referred to the coroner, they might decide that a post-mortem is needed. This is
an examination of a body to find out the cause of death. This can be for a number of reasons, even when the death was anticipated.
Registering the death
Once you have been informed from the Medical Examiner or Coroner that a cause of death / death certificate has been issued, you will then need to make an appointment with the Register Office. A death is usually registered within the first 5 days (unless they
have been referred to the coroner) and can be done by a friend, family member or the Funeral Director.
Planning a Funeral
Planning a funeral can be difficult, particularly at a time when you are managing feelings of loss and grief. Further information about planning funerals are listed below:
Funeral Planning Authority
0345 601 9619 http://funeralplanningauthority.co.uk
National Association of Funeral Directors
0121 711 1343 http://nafd.org.uk
Association of Green Funeral Directors
0330 221 1018 http://greenfd.org.uk
Religious or secular services
If you are organising a religious ceremony the faith leader will be able to advise on customs and traditions. You can contact their
place of worship to make arrangements for the funeral including the collection of the deceased. If you are not having a religious ceremony, then the Funeral Director may suggest a Celebrant who will conduct the service
Returning medications
All unused medication should be taken to a local pharmacy for safe disposal. You will need to inform the chemist if there are
any controlled drugs as these have to be documented separately which takes time.
Returning equipment
Your family member or friend may have been loaned equipment. Different services supply a range of equipment such as; special
beds, hoists, wheelchairs, bathroom aids, oxygen machines and many others. Each piece of equipment should have a label with the details of the supplier. For the collection of equipment you will need to contact the appropriate service. It may take up to two weeks for
the items to be collected. The relevant organisation will be able to advise you.
Leeds Community Equipment Service
0113 378 382
Informing organisations about a death
Tell Us Once service lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. A Registrar will provide information on
Tell Us Once when you register the death. For more information go to What to do after someone dies: Tell Us Once – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Search ‘Tell Us Once’ or call: 0800 085 7308
Digital Legacy Association
How to manage a person’s online presence after they die. 01525 630 349 https://digitallegacyassociation.org/
Entitlements and benefits
You may be entitled to certain benefits after someone has died. These include:
- 1. Bereavement Support Payment
- 2. Child Benefit
- 3. Funeral Expenses Payments or Assistance
- 4. War Widow(er) Pension
- 5. Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- 6. Guardian’s Allowance (if you are bringing up a child whose parents have died)
Gov.uk has information about the above, including who would qualify and how to apply. The Tell Us Once service can check if you are eligible. You can also call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0345 606 0265
Compassionate leave
Compassionate leave can be paid or unpaid time off work for people who are in difficult circumstances, such as when you
are bereaved. Organisations will have their own policies for compassionate leave, so check the policy for your place of work.
Bereavement Support
We are all likely to experience the death of a loved one at some point in our lives and it can be a devastating experience. The grief
we feel as a result of this is not a medical condition but a natural, normal and healthy response. We are all individuals who experience grief in different ways. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and every person is different in their response, depending on our own feelings as well as the nature of the relationship with the person who has died. There is no set pattern or neat pathway that is the correct way to
grieve. We cannot fix or avoid grief as we have to go through it and eventually we find a way to live around it.
If you feel that you would like to speak to your GP about your grief, please speak to one of our care navigators or complete an online form to request an appointment.