Patient Information
The staff on the Nightingale Macmillan Unit offer you our deepest sympathies
The death of someone you care about is a painful emotional experience. You may feel unsure about the practical things that now have to be done.
This booklet contains information and advice that we hope you will find useful at this difficult time.
Please remember that people are here to help. If you need any other information or support don’t be afraid to ask.
What do I do next?
All deaths that occur in the UK have to be registered within 5 days (includes weekends and bank holidays). This requires a medical certificate to be issued that states the cause of death.
When someone has died in hospital a medical certificate will be issued by the hospital or the death will be referred to the Coroner. Some deaths are routinely reported to the Coroner. You will be advised which of these applies to you.
The staff on the Nightingale Macmillan Unit will contact you once the medical certificate has beeen written by the Doctor. This may take a few days to complete, please be aware certificates are not generally written at a weekend / bank holiday.
There are occasions when the Doctors on NMU have to liasie with the coroner’s office to discuss a patient before the Doctor can issue a certificate which can cause a slight delay.
When the staff on the Nightingale Macmillan Unit contact you, they will explain the next steps and what you need to do to arrange the registration of death, including how and when to contact the register’s office.
If you have not heard from us within 3 working days, please contact us on 01332 786060 to discuss.
There may be some instances where we might ask the Bereavement Service in the hospital to liaise with family members regarding the medical certificate. This is only usually if the patient was transferred to us on the Nightingale Macmillan Unit and died within a short space of time, and a Doctor from the previous ward will need to complete the medical certificate. We will advise you if this is the case.
Their contact details are-
Bereavement Service - Royal Derby Hospital
Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 4.00pm
Telephone 01332 785557, 01332 788328, 01332 787097, 01332 786036
If there are belongings or valuables on the unit you wish to collect, we can discuss this with you and arrange a convenient time to collect them.
When the Coroner is involved
When the hospital is unable to provide a medical certificate, the death will be referred to the Coroner for investigations which are required by law without the agreement of relatives. The death cannot be registered until the Coroner has finished the necessary enquiries.
If the coroner is involved either the staff on the Nightingale Macmillan Unit or the coroner will inform you of this.
The coroner’s office can be contacted on 01629 535050. They are open Monday to Friday 08.30am - 4.00pm.
Medical Examiners
Medical Examiners are independent senior doctors employed by the Trust. In the first few days after your loss you may receive a call from the Medical Examiners’ Office. The aim is for them to ensure that care and treatment were appropriate and the cause of death is accurate. The cause of death on the medical certificate will be explained to you and you will have the opportunity to ask questions or raise any concerns if you wish to do so.
When a Hospital Post Mortem Examination is requested
If a Coroner’s investigation is not required, doctors may ask you to agree to a post mortem examination. This may help the doctors provide more detailed information about the reasons for the death. It may also contribute to the development of new ways of treating future patients with similar problems.
If you agree to a consented post mortem examination the doctors will issue the medical certificate before it takes place so that you can proceed with the funeral arrangements.
Registering the death
When the hospital or the Coroner has issued a medical certificate the death must be registered within 5 days (includes weekends and bank holidays). This is done at the Register Office.
The majority of deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. The Registrar will allow other people to register the death only if there were no relatives available as below:
• someone present at the death
• someone who found the body
• a person in charge of the body
• the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors
A certified copy of the entry in the Register of Deaths - a Death Certificate - can be obtained for £11. You may require one or more copies for private pension and financial matters etc.
Deaths are registered by a face-to-face appointment at-
The Derby Register Office
Royal Oak House Market Place
Derby DE1 3AR
Telephone 01332 641680
Deaths can be registered at other register offices, but this is not advisable as it can delay the registration process and ultimately you will have to wait a longer period of time before you receive the death certificate.
Arranging to see the person who has died
Many families and friends find the thought of their loved one being in the mortuary quite distressing and prefer for them to be moved to the Funeral Directors as soon as possible. Please be assured that the staff in the mortuary are extremely professional and respectful and will care for your loved one whilst they are waiting to be transferred. The mortuary staff can facilitate families being able to see the person who has died, in the mortuary, if they wish to do so. Appointments can be made by contacting the mortuary directly on 01332 785013 or 01332 787360. Alternatively, the Funeral Director will also be able to arrange for you to spend time with the person who has died once they are within their care.
Arranging the funeral
The funeral is a significant and very personal event for most bereaved people. Before making arrangements check that instructions regarding the funeral have not already been made by the deceased. Some people make a funeral arrangement plan with a local undertaker or leave their wishes in a future care record or their Will.
The majority of people choose to make their arrangements with a Funeral Director. You can make all the arrangements yourself if you wish.
The funeral ceremony may follow a standard format or a particular faith tradition. There are secular non-religious celebrants available too.
Woodland burial and other green options are available. For information please contact a Funeral Director or your relevant local authority. All the local authorities in this area have websites with helpful information.
Derby: 01332 341012
www.derby.gov.uk/community-and-living/deaths-funerals-cremations
Amber Valley: 01773 841565
www.ambervalley.gov.uk/community/birth-marriages-and-deaths/deaths-burialsand-cemetaries
Erewash: 0115 907 2244
www.erewash.gov.uk/parks-and-gardens-section/cemeteries
South Derbyshire: 01283 595782
www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/births-marriages-and-deaths/deaths
Derbyshire Dales: 01629 761100
www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/community/births-deaths-and-marriages
The important thing to remember is that you can choose what is most appropriate for you, your family and friends. Your option for cremation or burial is a matter of preference especially if the location of the final resting place is important.
Choosing a Funeral Director
Funeral Directors will manage funeral arrangements and give advice and support. Initial arrangements can be made with them before the death is registered.
A list of Funeral Directors can be found in the Yellow Pages or in the local newspaper. Please check if the Funeral Director you choose belongs to a trade association. This requires them to provide full information about their services and prices.
Most Funeral Directors are available seven days a week and, if you wish, will visit you at home. They will ensure that the legal requirements are fulfilled and will explain clearly all the options available.
The Funeral Director can also help with your arrangements for someone to lead the ceremony if you wish. This person can also offer support and discuss the details with you. Make sure you tell the Funeral Director if there is a particular person you would like to fulfil this role.
Cremation or burial?
You may have decided this already; perhaps a preference has already been expressed. However, if you have any queries or if you feel unable to make up your mind, the Funeral Director or person leading the ceremony will be able to help you.
Funeral costs
Costs for the same services may vary considerably from one Funeral Director to another. You may wish to get more than one quote to compare costs.
‘Disbursements’ are fees paid to others, eg. for crematorium, minister, doctors’ certificates, newspaper announcements, flowers etc. Ask the Funeral Director for a written quotation detailing all these fees.
Funeral payments are normally recoverable from the deceased’s estate.
Financial help
If you arrange a funeral you are responsible for paying the bill, so check where the money will come from first.
If you are finding it difficult to pay for a funeral that you have to arrange, the Funeral Director will be able to advise you. You may be able to get a Social Fund Funeral Payment providing you or your partner receive one of the following:
• Income support
• Housing benefit
• Council tax benefit
• Job seeker’s allowance (income based)
• Disabled person’s tax credit
• Working family’s tax credit
Your Funeral Director will be able to advise you.
Helpful contacts
The Trust has its own chaplains, social workers and interpreters. Should you wish to see someone, you can contact them directly:
Chaplains
The Faith Centre offers a listening ear, spiritual care and pastoral support to anyone affected by bereavement.
Telephone - 01332 789500
Interpreters - 01332 788080
Social Workers - 01332 785600
Macmillan Information Centre
Located near entrance 24, the centre offers support and information about cancer at all stages of the disease.
Telephone - 01332 786008
Your local church or religious community may be able to offer you help and support; don’t be afraid to contact them even though you may not be a practising member.
You may find it helpful to visit your own GP.
We hope this brief guide has been useful to you.
Danni Allen
