Royal Derby Hospital Emergency Department Bereavement Booklet
We would like to offer our sympathy at this sad and difficult time. You may have spent only a brief time in the Emergency Department, but we will endeavour to provide you with all the help & support we can.
Doctor ....................................................................................... ...................................................................................................
As well as the nursing and medical staff in the Emergency Department, the Trust has a Chaplaincy Service, which is non faith based, who are available to listen and support. The Chaplains can also support your religious needs at your request.
We will try to answer any questions and concerns you have during your time in the Emergency Department. Please do feel able to contact the department if you have any questions which arise after you leave. The telephone number for the Emergency Department is 01332 787800 or 01332 783111. Please ask to speak with the Nurse in Charge. If you wish to speak with a chaplain, please telephone 01332 340131 and ask the operator to bleep the on-call Chaplain.
In the coming weeks you may be sent a letter from the Emergency Department which will offer you an opportunity to talk further to Emergency Department staff either by phone or in person. The letter will also offer you the opportunity to provide feedback; If you can, it would be helpful to us if you have any comments, good or bad, on the service you have experienced in the Emergency Department. It is through such feedback that we can improve and develop our service.
What do I do next?
When someone has died in the Emergency Department, a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (further referred to as Medical Certificate) may be issued by the hospital, or the death may need to be referred to the coroner. You will be advised which of these applies to you.
Although the death cannot be registered until you have the medical certificate you can contact a funeral director as soon as you wish. They will give you help and advice and will be able to start planning the funeral with you.
If there are cultural or religious reasons why it is important for the funeral to take place as soon as possible, please let the nursing or medical staff know.
Arranging to see the person who has died
The Emergency Department has a quiet room available to use immediately after the person has died. After this time, the deceased will be transferred to the hospital mortuary where viewing can also be arranged.
Please ask if you would like a Chaplain with you when you visit the hospital mortuary viewing room.
Appointments can be made by telephoning the mortuary directly on 01332 785013, Monday – Friday from 08:30am - 4:30pm. At other times please telephone 01332 340131 and ask the operator to bleep the on-call mortuary technician.
You may prefer to view the person who has died at the Funeral Director’s Chapel of Rest where they have specialist facilities.
Donating the body or tissues
The person who has died may have expressed a wish to you that they wanted to be an organ or tissue donor. When the place of death is the Emergency Department, organ donation is sadly not possible. Tissue donation however may still be possible; If you wish to discuss tissue donation further, please speak to a member of the Emergency Department staff. Tissue donation can usually occur up to 48 hours after death.
The person who has died may have planned to donate their body to a medical school for teaching purposes or for medical science. If this is the case these institutions need to be contacted directly.
Personal property and valuables
In emergencies it is often necessary to cut clothes to allow rapid treatment to begin. This is not done without thought. We hope that you understand if the clothes returned to you are not in their original condition. If requested, clothing items can be disposed of by hospital staff.
Where possible, belongings will be given to the next of kin who are present in the Emergency Department at the time of death. Where this is not possible, items will be held for collection for the next of kin (or their representative) in the Emergency Department for the next eight weeks. After this time, items will be destroyed/disposed of, unless exceptional circumstances arise.
Valuables and cash are itemised and if not collected at the time of death, will be safely stored in the Emergency Department’s safe and then transferred to the Cashier’s Office on Level 3 at the front of the main building.
We ask that you telephone the PALS office before coming into the hospital to collect these personal items. This should avoid delays and inconvenience.
PALS
Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)
Main Entrance, Level 1, Royal Derby Hospital
Tel: 01332 785156
Text: 07799 337 500
Email: uhdb.contactpalsderby@nhs.net
Open, Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 4:30pm (excluding Public/ Bank Holidays)
When the hospital issues the Medical Certificate
Please contact the Bereavement Service after 10.30am on the next working day following the death. Whenever possible, staff endeavour to have certificates completed by 1.30pm. If the death requires referral to the Coroner, the Bereavement Service will advise you what to do next. Where the Medical Certificate has been issued by the hospital, the Bereavement Service will e-mail the Medical Certificate to the Register Office, it does not need to be picked up in person.
Bereavement Service
Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 4.30pm (Closed on public holidays)
Telephone: 01332 785557, 01332 787097, 01332 788328 or 01332 786036
Coroner’s Office
Monday to Thursday from 8.00am – 4.00pm Friday from 8.00am – 3.30pm (Closed on public holidays) Telephone: 01629 535050
Medical Examiners
Medical Examiners are independent senior doctors employed by the Hospital Trust. Their role is to ensure that care and treatment were appropriate and that the cause of death given is accurate. You may receive a phone call from the Medical Examiner's Office in the first few days following your loss. The phone call will enable the Medical Examiner to explain to you the cause of death cited on the Medical Certificate, and to give you the opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns if you wish.
Registering the death
All deaths must be registered within 5 days (this includes weekends and holidays). This is a legal requirement. You can register the death at any Register Office in England or Wales, but if you are able to use the Derby Register Office you should be given the documents you will need on the same day – you will need to make an appointment to register the death.
Most deaths are registered by a relative, but they can also be registered by someone present at the death, an official from the hospital, or the person making the funeral arrangements (but not the funeral directors themselves).
As well as the Medical Certificate, there are other documents belonging to the deceased which you should take with you if possible:
• Birth certificate
• Marriage/civil partnership certificate
• NHS medical Card
• Passport
• Proof of address
The person registering the death should also bring with them some form of identification.
Registration of a death is free, but you will have to pay for a Death Certificate. This can be obtained for £11.00. Purchasing additional copies is useful as they are required for sorting out financial affairs such as insurance policies, banks, and pension companies.
You will also be given a certificate for burial & cremation (sometimes known as the green form) which should be given to your funeral director.
Derby Register Office
Royal Oak House Market Place Derby DE1 3AR
The office is open: Monday to Friday from 9.30am – 4.30pm (Closed on public holidays) Telephone: 01332 641680
Arranging the funeral
Arranging a funeral can seem daunting. The deceased person may already have arrangements in place for their own funeral or this may now fall to you. You can pay for a funeral director to arrange the funeral for you, or you can do it yourself.
If you chose a Funeral Director to help arrange the funeral, they can be contacted as soon as you feel able. It is recommended that you do not make firm arrangements for the date of the funeral until you have been given the Death Certificate from the Register Office.
It is always wise to choose a Funeral Director belonging to one or more of the recognised associations listed:
• National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) (www.nafd.org.uk)
• The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) (www.saif.org.uk)
All the associations have a ‘code of practice’ that they must adhere to and will give you an estimate of the costs that will be involved in carrying out the funeral arrangements. It is usually a good idea to get at least two written estimates before making a definite decision on which company to use.
The Funeral Director can advise you on all the arrangements including help with your choice of Minister (Religious Leader) or Celebrant, and options open to you for the funeral itself.
You may also wish to consult your own religious leader first for help in making the funeral arrangements.
If you wish to organise the funeral yourself your local cemetery or crematorium may be able to help:
Whoever arranges the funeral is responsible for meeting the costs. This can come from the deceased’s estate or the funeral scheme he/she may have subscribed to.
If you are on a low income and are the husband/wife, civil partner or you have lived together as if a married couple or are a close relative or friend (exceptions apply) you may be entitled to a Funeral Payment from the government providing you or your partner receive one of the following:
• Universal Credit
• Income support
• Housing benefit
• Job seekers allowance (income based)
• Income related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• The disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit
A claim can be made by phoning the Bereavement Service Helpline on 0800 151 2012. You can also download the form SF200 from www.gov.uk or by obtaining the form from Jobcentre Plus.
Please seek advice before making any funeral arrangements.
Who do I need to tell about the death?
Apart from family and friends, there are other people and organisations that will need to be informed about the death.
“Tell Us Once” Service
Tell us once is a free government service that allows you to report a death when you suffer a bereavement and need to tell central & local government.
You will need to register the death before you use this service the Registrar at the Register Office will explain how to use the service.
When you use Tell Us Once the services notified include:
• DWP Pensions & Benefits
• Personal Tax
• Council Tax
• Passport
• Driving Licence
• Blue Badge
• Electoral register
For more information about Tell Us Once you can look at the government website www.gov.uk/tell-us-once
“Stop Mail Service”
Stop Mail is a free service that has been developed by the Bereavement Support Network to help families and friends to locate services and to cancel unsolicited mail following a loss. The information provided to Stop Mail is added to a mail suppression system which over 3000 UK organisations subscribe to. Many of these organisations are household names.
Typical users include financial institutions, mail order companies, national retailers, and charities.
You can register the name of the deceased person at www. stopmail.co.uk or by calling 0808 168 9607.
Dealing with the Estate
A person’s estate includes their money, any property, possessions & debts.
If the deceased person has a will this will explain what happens to their estate and who the executors are (the people who sort it out). The Executors need to apply for a grant of representation at the local Probate Registry to give them the legal right to deal with the estate. The right to deal with an estate is known as ‘probate.’
If the deceased person does not have a Will they are said to have died “intestate.” The nearest living relative can apply for probate in this instance.
Applying for probate: What is probate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reactions to Unexpected Death
Everyone experiences grief differently. There is no right or wrong way to grieve but there are some reactions which are common. Initially you may feel shock and disbelief, numb and confused. You may feel anger or guilt and you may keep asking why it has happened and why it could not have been prevented. You may want to blame someone for what has happened.
You may feel that you must try to ‘be brave’ and not let your emotions show. It is important, however, to allow yourself to express your feelings and to admit them to yourself as well. Grieving can be much longer and more painful if everything is bottled up.
For some people, there may be a huge sense of relief, for whatever reason, and it may be difficult for you and other people to accept and understand this.
Fear often plays a big part in people’s reactions – fear of being without the person who has died, fear of dealing with unfinished business, fear of coping and taking on new responsibilities. There may be specific fears about money or family responsibilities.
Thoughts and emotions are likely to be mixed up. You may show no emotion at all. You may have mood swings or lack concentration. Although you may feel that there is a great deal to be done, try to give yourself time to absorb what has happened and how you are feeling. It is better, if possible, to avoid making major plans or decisions until your emotions are more settled. It may take some time to accept that the situation is real, and you may find yourself escaping into fantasy. Gradually things do become clearer, but the time scale is very variable.
Some people experience physical signs such as prolonged shaking, vomiting, physical pain, indigestion, and loss of appetite. Try to eat something – little and often may be the best way at first.
Sleep can be difficult. You may have distressing dreams or a vivid mental picture of some part of the events at the time of the death. Rest is important and helps in making it more possible to cope. If it is a continuing problem, consult your family doctor.
Helping children to cope with Sudden Death
Children are always affected by death in the family. Their reactions are also very individual. They may be very frightened, or become naughty, reserved, or withdrawn. They too may have sleep problems, nightmares or start to wet the bed.
It is often difficult for adults to know how to comfort and reassure children especially when they are suffering so much themselves. Usually, children cope much more successfully with shock and grief if they are told simply and honestly what has happened. It is useful to encourage them to talk about how they are feeling and to ask questions. Remember that children take simple words very literally and phrases like ‘just gone to sleep’ may be very frightening. It could suggest to them that going to sleep is risky, they may fear that they or someone else may die while they are asleep.
Sometimes children have a directness in what they say which can be difficult for adults to hear, but if they know that they are included in what is happening and that they will be told the truth, they usually respond in a way which is helpful to them and everyone else.
Try to give time and listen to them. Allow them to deal with their grief at their own pace. Reassure them particularly if they are feeling that the death is somehow their fault. Allow them to see that you are upset. All children find it difficult if they feel shut out from important aspects of family life even if they are distressing.
Who can help?
Other family members and close friends will be your main support at first. It is usually helpful if there are plenty of opportunities to talk about the person who has died and to share memories.
For some people, however, this is difficult, and you may find that other people, less emotionally involved, are of more help. Other friends, or even strangers, may be able to listen and bring a particular understanding, from their own similar experience.
Your local church or religious community may be able to offer you help and support, do not be afraid to contact them even though you may not be a practicing member.
You may find it helpful to visit your own GP, Health Visitor, Practice Nurse, or School Nurse.
Most people gradually find that they can begin to lead their lives again and move forward. There will be good days and bad days. Often something quite slight may cause a renewal of grief, but it is important to try to build on the good days and to try to be prepared for occasions which are likely to be difficult, for example anniversaries or family gatherings.
We do hope that you will find the way through your shock and grief which brings comfort and peace to you. Please remember that people really do care and want to help. You can turn to them, even when you feel at your most isolated and lonely.
If grief and distress persist, there are specific people and organisations which may help. Talk with your family doctor who may have useful suggestions.
Some organisations which provide support are:
CRUSE – Bereavement Support
www.cruse.org.uk
National Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Treetops Hospice
www.treetopshospice.org.uk 0115 949 1264
SOBS - Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide www.uksobs.com
Samaritans
www.samaritans.org
National Helpline: 116 123
Winston’s Wish - helps bereaved children and young people www.winstonswish.org
National Helpline: 08088 020 021
Child Bereavement UK – for when a child grieves, or a child dies
www.childbereavementuk.org
National Helpline: 0800 02 888 40
The Laura Centre Derby – when a child grieves or dies
www.thelauracentre.org.uk
Tel: 0116 254 4341
Reference: Royal Derby Hospital
Emergency Department Bereavement Book
Review Date: May 2026
Publication Date: May 2024
The Hospital would like to thank RNS Publications for publishing this information and the following pages contain some features from services o ering their help at this time.
Whilst the Hospital is grateful of their support it does not endorse or recommend any of the services that they provide.
STOPPING JUNK MAIL
It is distressing to deal with a bereavement and unsolicited mail can be insensitive and destructive during a grieving process.
By scanning the below QR code on your phone or visiting www.stopmail.co.uk, we are able to securely share this information with mailing organisations and under the Data Protection Act the information will not be used for any other purpose.
Other benefits reduce the possibility of identity fraud, such as assumed identity and you will only have to supply the information once.
Danni Allen
Smoking is not permitted anywhere is the buildings and grounds of Derby’s Hospitals. For advice and support about giving up smoking please call Free Phone 0800 707 6870.
