Deaths Referred to the Coroner

Occasionally, deaths will be flagged by the Medical Examiner to be referred to the Coroner. This does not always result in a post mortem.

The decision for a post mortem by the Coroner is purely to ascertain the cause of death if it isn’t clear or is unknown. The MEO will inform you if a referral is required and explain the reasons why. Once in the Coroner’s hands, a Coroner’s officer will call you to explain their procedure and give you an approximate timing of completion. Once a post mortem is completed, the Coroner’s office will raise all paperwork and will call to let you know. Once you receive this call you can then make an appointment at the register office to formally register the death (The paperwork will be sent electronically to the register office).

The Coroner also holds inquests where the cause of death maybe known but there are unanswered questions/ circumstances surrounding the death so further investigation is carried out. Usually in these cases an interim certificate is produced (again electronically) by the Coroner’s office so the death can be registered and the funeral service held with the final results following later.

Sometimes it may be necessary for the Coroner to hold a post mortem and an inquest. The death cannot be registered until the post mortem is complete.

The Coroner’s office can be contacted by email on kentandmedwaycoroners@kent.gov.uk

Tissue and Body donation

When a loved one dies at home there is possibility for donation of tissues for transplant and research. Donation of such as bone, skin, heart valves etc. can improve lives no end and also eye donation can help restore sight.

For further information please contact the GP or Community Nursing Team, or you can call the NHS Blood and Transplant Tissue Donation service on 0800 432 0559 to speak to a specialist nurse.

Body donation can only happen if the deceased has given written consent before death. No-one else can consent after death has occurred.

Funerals

What to do first

Contact a funeral director who can advise and discuss the funeral arrangements with you.

Funeral arrangements cannot be made until you have been informed that the death does not have to be reported to the Coroner. If the Coroner is involved this may affect the date when the funeral can be held.

A Will may have been made by the deceased, which may include requests about his or her funeral arrangements.

Funeral Directors

There are no universal standards that apply to funeral directors, however some are members of professional organisations, which operate a code of conduct. The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) and the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) are examples of these.

• National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)

Tel: 0121 711 1343

Web: www.nafd.org.uk

• National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors

Tel: 0345 230 6777

Web: www.saif.org.uk

A funeral director should be expected to give you a written quotation, which may not be exceeded without permission. This includes an estimate for a standard funeral, as well as any additional services.

Although funeral directors are used to organising the majority of funerals, some people prefer to organise them themselves.

You may also prefer to choose a Woodland Environmentally Friendly Burial. For further details please contact:

• The Natural Death Centre

Tel: 01962 712690

Web: www.naturaldeath.org.uk

Help with funeral costs

Funerals can be expensive. If you are on Income Support, Family Credit or Housing Benefit, you may be able to get payment from the Social Fund, to help pay for the funeral. For advice please contact your local Job Centre Plus:

• Tel: 0800 169 0140

Web: www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus/existingbenefit-claims

Under some circumstances Benevolent Funds are available for ex-service men and women and for other services such as the Police and Fire Brigade.

How Are You Feeling?

Bereavement is a very personal and to some, a very painful life event to have to go through. It will be a time where you may be un-prepared and overwhelmed by the strength of the thoughts, feelings and emotions experienced. There is no right or wrong way to grieve as it is unique to the individual and may be influenced by many things such as age, personality, family and culture.

It is not uncommon to initially feel shocked following bereavement, even if a death is expected it may still be a shock when it actually occurs. This may be followed by a sense of numbness and disbelief that the person who has died has really gone.

Symptoms and feelings you may experience

Exhaustion

Grief can be very tiring as it is physically and emotionally demanding; many people find they have difficulty with sleeping and concentration. People can experience mood swings and not feel like eating. It is important to look after your own well-being and not to neglect your health. If you are worried about your health, you may wish to consult your GP.

Anger

Sometimes people feel angry. This may be directed at healthcare professionals, at friends or family, at a religious entity, or even the person who has died. Sometimes the anger may have no specific focus. In these circumstances, sharing thoughts and feelings with friends, family or a faith leader may be helpful.

Feelings of guilt and feelings of fear for the future

People may also experience feelings of guilt or regret, and may often reflect on things they wished they had said or done. It is often helpful to share these feelings with people that you feel comfortable with and can help you understand your emotions and feelings. Whilst for some people it may be tempting to make significant changes to your life in response to your grief it is important to recognise that now may not be the best time to do so. What seems right at the moment may change in the near future.

Anxiety, depression, helplessness

People can spend a significant amount of time and energy in trying to understand the events leading up to a death and may go over things repeatedly in their mind to try and make sense of their loss. This is part of the grieving process.

You may also feel:

Sleeplessness and stress

Relief that pain and suffering has ended for your loved one Aches and pains and other physical ailments.

You may become withdrawn from friends and family and find daily routines hard to cope with; be lethargic and have little interest in activities once enjoyed.

Grief for each person is very different and therefore you may experience any of the aforementioned symptoms which are all quite normal.