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Losing someone close is an incredibly difficult experience. This guide explains the practical steps you may need to take in the days ahead and what support you can expect from your GP surgery.
If the death occurred at home
Contact the GP practice (if it is not Acorn Practice) and nearest relative (if that’s not you).
First, a doctor or nurse will come to verify the death. A doctor will then complete their part of a medical certificate, which explains the cause of death (MCCD). This is then sent to a medical examiner (a senior doctor) who reviews it. The medical examiner or one of their team may speak to the nearest relative to check they understand and agree with the medical certificate. You can ask the medical examiner questions and raise any concerns you have about the death at this stage.
You’ll be given a formal notice stating that the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has been signed and sent to the Register Office. This notice tells you how to register the death.
Then, when you feel ready to do so, you can contact a funeral director of your choice who will move the body.
If the death occurred in hospital or a care home
Staff will guide you through the next steps.
The hospital or care home will arrange verification of death and explain how a Death Certificate is obtained to register the death.
If Someone Dies Unexpectedly
Call 999 immediately and explain what’s happened. The death will need to be reported to coroner, if the cause of death is unknown, unclear, or unnatural – such as the result of an accident.
A coroner is a lawyer with the legal duty to investigate unexpected deaths (some coroners are also doctors). The coroner may order a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. This may take some time, so the funeral may need to be delayed. You cannot refuse the examination, but you can tell them if you need to arrange the funeral quickly for faith reasons.
When someone dies unexpectedly, the police will also be called to do a routine visit. They’ll ask questions about the circumstances of the death which may be used to help the coroner to understand the cause of death. This can be unsettling but it’s important to remember that it’s normal procedure in these circumstances.
Register the Death:
The medical examiner or coroner provides the cause of death certificate (MCCD) to the Registry Office. You must then register the death with the registrar within 5 days, unless an inquest is required.
You can go to any register office to register a death, but it’s best to use one in the area where the person died because then you’ll be given the documents you need that day. If you go to an office in a different area, there’ll be a delay before you get the documents. Wherever you go, most offices require you to make an appointment, so it’s best to phone in advance to check. – AgeUK
