JHELUM BURIAL SOCIETY INFORMATION

Next steps depend on the specific circumstances:

• If the death was unexpected

• If the death was anticipated

• If the cause of death is known and from natural causes

• If the doctor is unsure about the actual cause of death

• When someone dies in hospital

If the death was unexpected

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You should dial 999 and ask for an ambulance immediately. The operator will give you instructions to carry out resuscitation if possible. When the paramedics arrive, they will carry out resuscitation and/or confirm the death.

You should also ask for the police immediately, leaving the area untouched, except for any action needed for resuscitation.

The police will arrange for the body to be moved by a funeral director acting for the coroner (or procurator fiscal in Scotland).

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If the death was anticipated

You should contact the deceased's GP or nearest doctor. If death occurred during the night, you do not need to contact the doctor until the following morning unless you want to.

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If the cause of death is known and from natural causes

The doctor will issue the documents that allow you to register the death.

You may call a funeral director of your choice as soon as you are ready. Funeral directors provide a 24-hour service and can arrange for the deceased to be taken to a funeral home at any time - day or night.

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If the doctor is unsure about the actual cause of death

Even if it was clearly from natural causes, or if the deceased died suddenly and had not been under a doctor's care during the past 14 days, he/she will contact the coroner who may order a post mortem examination.

This will determine the cause of death and provide the necessary forms and certificates.

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When someone dies in hospital

A member of staff will inform the next of kin about any death that occurs in hospital.

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Documents you'll receive

You will need certain documents to be completed before you are able to register the death:

•Medical Certificate of Cause of Death - this may be placed in an envelope. You can ask for an explanation of what has been given as the cause of death.

•Formal notice - attached to the Medical Certificate of Death. This confirms that the certificate has been signed, and gives a list of people who are entitled to register the death and the information they will need to be able to do this.

Please be aware that the preparation of documents can take some time, as they can only be completed by members of staff who were directly involved in the care of the patient before they died.

Most hospitals operate an appointment system for collecting documents and personal belongings. Bereavement or ward staff at the hospital will tell you more.

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Moving the deceased to a funeral home

You will be asked to contact a funeral director who will arrange to move the deceased from the hospital to a funeral home.

You may be asked to sign a form authorising this.

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Referral to a coroner (is Headache)

In some cases, hospital medical staff will have to refer a death to the coroner for example, if the death followed an operation or an accident. If the death is referred to the coroner the documentation detailed above will not be issued.

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The coroner and post-mortem examinations

First steps in a coroner's enquiries

The coroner will gather information about the death to decide whether a doctor can issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death or whether further investigations are required.

If a Medical Certificate cannot be issued the coroner will usually order a post-mortem examination.

If the coroner has been consulted, and there's no requirement for a post-mortem examination, the coroner will issue a form which informs the registrar of births and deaths that the coroner is aware of the death but no further investigation is necessary and that permission has been given to the doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.

In some parts of the country this is delivered by the coroner's service direct to the registrar but in other areas you may be asked to collect it from the coroner and take it to the registrar, along with the Medical Certificate.

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The post-mortem examination

A post-mortem examination (also known as an autopsy or necropsy) is an examination of the deceased, to investigate the death.

A post-mortem may be carried out in two ways; on the orders of the coroner or with the consent of next of kin:

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Coroner's post-mortem examination

This is the most common type of post-mortem examination, ordered by the coroner to find out why someone has died.

This is usually when the death is unexpected or the result of an accident, suicide or suspicious circumstances. Or if the death happened very soon after admission to hospital or after a medical or surgical procedure.

The next of kin will be informed, but in these circumstances the post mortem examination is a legal requirement and the consent of next of kin is not required.

At the close of the inquest, the coroner will forward information to the registrar of births and deaths to allow the death to be registered. The family can then purchase death certificates from the registrar, in person or by post.