What to Do When Someone Dies
What to Do When Someone Dies
A death can occur at any time to anyone, anywhere.
Whether an accident, an expected or unexpected death, the circumstances will dictate what has to be done next, or indeed what happens next.
This brief guide outlines actions, procedures and requirements when confronted with a death.
What is an Expected Death
This is where a death occurs and those connected to the deceased were aware that the death was likely due to age or underlying medical issues.
Expected deaths are not usually referred to the Coroner.
What is an Unexpected Death
Usually very sudden or initially unexplained.
Sometimes a person suffering an illness and is expected to die, dies in a much quicker time that was initally thought. This may be classed as an unexpected death.
Unexpected deaths are often referred to the Coroner, though a post mortem is not always carried out.
Expected Death
A death can occur at any time to anyone, anywhere.
Whether an accident, an expected or unexpected death, the circumstances will dictate what has to be done next, or indeed what happens next.
This brief guide outlines actions, procedures and requirements when confronted with a death.
If you find someone and are uncertain whether that person is dead, call 999 for assistance.
If a death was expected then the person’s own a doctor, or a member of the out of hours team, will certify death.
To contact them, call either the doctor concerned or 111 for out of hours support.
Funeral directors are only authorised to transfer the person into our care once the death has been certified. But you may call us at any time for guidance and support.
Death at Home
Death in Hospital or Hospice
Should you not be present then the next of kin will be advised of the death by nursing staff.
Should you wish to see the deceased at this time then arrangements following the decision with nursing staff should enable this to take place.
The deceased will be taken into the care of the mortuary staff at hospital. At a hospice the deceased will be transferred into our care after a call from a family member or the nursing staff.
The hospital or hospice staff will take the necessary steps and arrange for the family to collect any possessions and to deal with necessary documentation.
Some homes have staff who are authorised to confirm that death has taken place.
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If not then staff will will call either the relevant doctor or out of hours team to certify death.
Should you not be present then the Home will contact you to ascertain whether you want to see the deceased before being transferred.
You should contact us to arrange for your loved one to be taken into our care or you can ask the Home to do that on your behalf.
Death in a Residential or Care Home
Unexpected Death
If a death at home is as a result of accident, collapse or sudden illness then call 999 for assistance. Emergency services will be involved and death is certified.
The police or ambulance staff will usually ask who you would prefer as your funeral director and they would normally contact us for you.
In these cases the deceased will be transferred by us into our care.
The Coroner is usually involved (dependent upon the circumstance) and should a post mortem be required the deceased will be transferred from our care to the relevant hospital.
For deaths in Nottinghamshire this would be the Queens Medical Centre.
For deaths in the Doncaster area this would be the Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
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For deaths in the Sheffield area this would be the Northern General.
Following the release of the body by the Coroner then authorisation from the next of kin will be required for us to bring the body back into our care.