May we offer our deepest condolences for your loss.

When someone dies there are many decisions and arrangements to be made. Unfortunately, sometimes these must be made at a time of personal distress. We hope this information will help and guide you on what to do following a death.

If a death occurs at home and was expected:

In the first instance, please call the team looking after the person that has died i.e. the District Nursing or Hospice Teams or call an ambulance and advise them of the death.  They will be able to verify the death, which needs to happen as soon as possible. Once the death has been verified, please contact the funeral directors. The funeral directors may have been decided by the deceased before death or can be chosen by family or next of kin after the death.

However, there are legal steps that must be completed following after a death i.e. referrals to the Medical Examiner and possibly the coroner.  In England and Wales every death must be referred to the Medical Examiner who will independently scrutinise the death to ensure accuracy of the cause of death, identify any issues and raise any concerns that the family or next of kin may have about the care their loved one received. 

Once the Medical Examiner receives the completed medical certificate, they or one of their team, will contact the next of kin or the person listed and check they understand and agree with what has been written. The Medical Examiner’s Office will then send a digital copy to the registration office and advise you of the next steps.

We understand that this can be a very distressing time for you. However, we would really appreciate your patience, while we endeavour to complete all the necessary administration.

If a death occurs at home but was not expected:

Please call 999 immediately and explain what has happened. The police may attend and ask some questions about the circumstances of the death. If the cause of death is unclear or unnatural, for example, as result of an accident, the death will likely have to be referred to the coroner.  The coroner has a legal duty to investigate unexpected deaths. The coroner may also call for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.  This may take some time and therefore the funeral could be delayed. This may be unsettling, but it is important to remember that these are normal procedures in these circumstances.

If someone dies in hospital or hospice:

Please be guided by the hospital or hospice staff, the bereavement office or their websites for further information.

Helpful Telephone Numbers. 

Cruise Bereavement Care Helpline

0808 808 1677

Samaritans

116 123

Child Bereavement UK

0800 0288840

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

0115 944 1117

Age UK

0800 678 1602

Probate and Inheritance Tax Helpline

0300 123 1072

Citizens Advice Bureau

0808 223 1133

Medical Examiner’s Office

01283 511511 extension 5749

Staffordshire Coroner’s Office

01782 234777

Staffordshire Registration Office Helpline

0300 111 8001