Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals
NHS Trust
Help for the bereaved: a practical guide Sandwell General Hospital Bereavement Services Tel: 0121 507 3464
Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................................1 Certificate and Bereavement Services (CARES)....................................................2 Medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD).......................................................3 Registering the death......................................................................................................................................4 Tell Us Once........................................................................................................................................................................6 Referral to the coroner..................................................................................................................................8 Deaths in the Emergency Department...............................................................................8 Viewing your relative.......................................................................................................................................9 Tissue donation...........................................................................................................................................................10 Contacting the funeral director.....................................................................................................11 Burials abroad................................................................................................................................................................11 Settling the estate..................................................................................................................................................12 Funeral Payment from the Social Fund.............................................................................13 Further useful points.........................................................................................................................................14 Bereavement support information, Cruse....................................................................16 Contact details..............................................................................................................................................................17 Other organisations which can help......................................................................................19
Introduction We would like to express our sympathy on the sad loss of your loved one. Whether their death happened suddenly or was expected, it will be a shock to you. When someone dies there are a number of practical things that need to be done. The aim of this booklet is to give you important information and advice so that you know what needs to be done, and can make informed choices without feeling overwhelmed.
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Certificate and Bereavement Services (CARES) Certificate And beReavement dEpartment Services We are the CARES team (CARES stands for ‘Certificate and Bereavement Services’). Please contact us after 11.00am on the first working day after the death to discuss what happens next, arranging a medical certificate and how to collect your relative’s belongings if they died in hospital. When you call, it is very useful if you can tell us whether you will be having a cremation or a burial for your relative, so that our doctors can complete the correct paperwork. Tel: 0121 507 3464 Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm (Closed on bank holiday and weekends)
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Medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) When someone dies, a medical certificate of the cause of death needs to be completed. It is usually completed by the doctor caring for your relative. Sometimes your relative’s GP will be asked to complete the MCCD, we will advise you if this is the case. Collecting the MCCD When you contact the CARES office, we will advise you about when you can come to collect the MCCD and we will give you directions to the Main Reception desk where they will contact the CARES office for you. Car parking is free for people collecting MCCDs; please ask us about this.
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Registering the death You will need the MCCD to register a death. All deaths at Sandwell General Hospital must be registered at the Sandwell Register Office (details on page 5). You must register the death within 5 days. Details of who is able to register a death and the information needed by the registrar are listed on the front of the envelope containing the MCCD. You will be given this when you come to the hospital to collect the MCCD. The registrar will give you 2 forms which are free of charge: • •
a green form for the funeral director another for the Department of Work and Pensions (if you need it)
There is no charge for registering a death however there is a charge of £11 for each death certificate to be paid in cash only. Please consider how many you require before you go to the register office as banks, building societies, insurance and mortgage companies will not accept photocopies. When registering a death please: Take the following: • Medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD) • A document with your relatives name on it e.g. a medical card • Proof of your identification e.g. passport • Cash for the death certificates Provide the following for your relative: • Their full name and address • Their occupation • The date and place of death • The name and address of the widow/widower 4
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Sandwell Register Office High Fields High Street West Bromwich B70 8RJ Tel: 0121 368 1188
Monday - Wednesday 9.30am - 4.30pm, Thursday 10.00am - 4.30pm, Friday 9.00am - 4.00pm. Please note you must book an appointment by telephone before attending.
To contact the Register Office their lines are open: 8.00am - 8.00pm Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 1.00pm Saturday You can also book online: www.sandwell.gov.uk/registeroffice Parking There are ‘pay and display’ parking bays at Sandwell Register Office. 5
Tell Us Once Sandwell Council Registration Service also provides the National ‘Tell Us Once’ service when you register a death within the borough. On your behalf they can notify all central and local government and council departments that need to be informed of the death. Which organisations will be notified? If you decide to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service, the following departments and organisations will be notified. Council services •
Council housing
•
Housing and council tax benefit
•
Council tax
•
Libraries
•
Blue badges
•
Adult social care (including attendance allowance)
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Collection of payments for council services
•
Electoral services
Government organisations •
Department for Work and Pensions
•
HM Revenue and Customs
•
Identity and passport service
•
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
•
Ministry of Defence, Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
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When you make an appointment to register a death you will be asked if you wish to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service. If you do, you will be informed of the extra information required to bring to the appointment and there is no charge to use this service. The information that is given will be treated securely and confidentially. The organisations that are contacted will use the information to update records, to end services, benefits and credits provided, as appropriate, or to start up services. They may use the information in other ways, but only as the law allows. Further details can be obtained by: Telephone: 0121 368 1188 or visit www.sandwell.gov.uk
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Referral to the coroner Sometimes neither the hospital doctor nor the GP can complete the certificate as the death may be referred to the coroner for further investigation. They may also arrange for a post mortem to be performed. If this happens, somebody from the coroner’s office will contact you and keep you informed. They will also tell you when and where to collect the MCCD. It can take 48 hours or more for the coroner to make a decision. Once a case is referred to the coroner, the CARES team will no longer manage it. You can still contact us with any questions and queries, and we will do our best to help. Coroner’s office Tel: 0121 569 7200 Email: sandwell_coroners@sandwell.gov.uk
Deaths in the Emergency Department When a death happens in the Emergency Department, it will often have to be referred to the coroner. The staff in the Emergency Department will give you information about this. Please contact the main switchboard on 0121 553 1831 and please ask for the Shift Co-ordinator in A&E. Monday - Friday please contact the CARES office at Sandwell General Hospital on 0121 507 3464.
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Viewing your relative We have viewing facilities at Sandwell General Hospital, so if you wish to see your relative you can do so by contacting the mortuary on 0121 507 3280. The mortuary staff will agree a time to view your relative and give you directions to the mortuary. Viewings can be arranged from 9.30am - 12.00 noon and 2.00pm - 3.30pm Monday - Friday. Viewing your relative on a Saturday and Sunday: Viewing over the weekend is only possible under exceptional circumstances. There are limited slots for viewing over a weekend; each family will be allocated one viewing slot. Please liaise with your whole family to arrange a viewing so that anyone who wants to view will be able to do so. It is essential that close family are able to use the limited weekend slots, therefore extended family and friends are very welcome to view from Monday to Friday. Viewings of a weekend will take place between 9.00am and 7.00pm. You can arrange a viewing of a weekend by calling 0121 553 1831, you will be put through to a hospital manager who will arrange your viewing if possible.
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Tissue donation Tissue donation can dramatically improve the quality of life for some individuals who are desperately in need. Most people can donate some tissue for transplant. Tissues that could be donated included heart valves, eyes, skin and bone. Age and medical condition is not necessarily a barrier to donation. Tissue donation is possible if your relative or friend has died within 24-48 hours. Our aim is to support the individual’s wishes to be a tissue donor following death. There are several ways that your loved one could have expressed a wish to donate in their lifetime. They could have joined the organ donor register which allows them to be very specific about what they would like to donate or they may carry a donor card or have stated a desire to help others following their death. Unfortunately solid organs such as heart and kidneys cannot be donated after someone has died. There is a national number available 24 hours a day for advice: 0800 432 0559. If you would like to speak further with one of the nurses please do not hesitate to ask.
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Contacting the funeral director You can contact the funeral director as soon as you like. The funeral director will: • • • •
Talk to you about your options and wishes for the funeral. Take responsibility for the funeral arrangements. Need the green form given to you at the register office. Collect your relative from the hospital mortuary, you can view them once they are at the funeral director’s.
For a full list of funeral directors in your area, please visit the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management website: www.iccm-uk.com If you receive certain benefits, you may be entitled to claim funeral expenses by completing form SF200 which is available from the funeral director or Jobcentre Plus. Making your own arrangements You can also arrange a funeral without the help of a funeral director; see the Natural Death Centre website for further information: www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Burials abroad If the person is to be buried in a country other than England or Wales a funeral director will be able to assist you with this. When you register the death, you will need to obtain at least two certified copies of the death certificate (some consulates and embassies require more). You need to give the copies to your funeral director who will then obtain an ‘Out of England Certificate’. Information for weekends/bank holidays will also be given in order to hasten the normal process. 11
Settling the estate You will need to apply for a ‘grant of probate’ or a ‘grant of letters of administration with will’ to access your relative’s belongings, property or money. After this, you can contact their bank, post office or building society so that the accounts in the name of your relative can be dealt with. The post office can give you advice about pension and allowance books. Grant of probate If your relative has left a will, it will name 1 or more ‘executors’ who can apply for the ‘grant of probate’ before their belongings, property or money can be managed. Grant of letters of administration with will If the named executor does not want to act, someone else named in the will can apply (depending on a strict order of priority). This person is called ‘the administrator’. They can apply for a ‘grant of letters of administration with will’. If your relative did not leave a will, then a blood relative can also apply for a grant of ‘letters of administration’. The person who applies is also called the administrator and is based on a strict next-of-kin order: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Widow/widower Child Parent Brother/sister Any other relative
How to apply You can apply for either grant at the nearest Probate Registry or Sub-Registry. The person who goes to the Probate Registry will need a copy of the death certificate and any will or written wishes of the deceased. 12
You will need full details of everything owned by or owed to your relative when they died. Please contact the Probate Registry for further advice: Address: The Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6DU Tel: 0121 681 3400 or 0121 681 3414 Exception There is an exception to these regulations. It is sometimes possible for the nearest relative to get money out of the deceased’s funds from banks, building societies or national savings without a grant of probate or letters of administration of will. This amount varies from time to time, so it is worth checking with the Branch Manager where the money is held. If you are employing a solicitor, they can help you with this. It is therefore worth asking them about Legal Aid to help cover costs if you feel that you cannot pay for their services.
Funeral Payment from the Social Fund If you are arranging a funeral, you may qualify, under specific circumstances for help towards the costs from the Social Fund. You should contact your local Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) office for further information before making any financial commitments to the funeral director. Web: www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment
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Further useful points •
Contact the insurance company or agent about any insurance policies.
•
A widow may be entitled to a widow’s benefit or an increase in benefit. Your local DWP office can provide further information about this.
•
All pensions and allowance books belonging to your relative should be returned to the issuing office. Any unpaid amount due before the date of death should be claimed.
•
If your relative was in a ‘Pay As You Earn’ (PAYE) scheme, you may be entitled to a tax rebate. Please contact Inland Revenue (details at the end) and ask to speak to the local inspector of taxes for advice. You can also contact your relative’s employer as there may be an insurance scheme or help from union funds.
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If you shared a house or flat with your relative, it may be necessary to transfer it to another name. Please contact your solicitor or the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for further information and queries.
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If you are a relative and were living with the deceased, you may be entitled to housing benefit. Your local Council Office can provide further information.
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Any season tickets and club membership cards belonging to your relative should be returned and refunds claimed.
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Your relative’s driver’s licence should be sent to the DVLA. Full information on how to surrender (give up) a licence is available on their website: www.gov.uk/tell-dvla-about-bereavement 14
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You can contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for practical help or general advice. There are a number of different offices in Birmingham; the details of the City Centre branch are listed in the contact details section of this booklet.
•
Finding a solicitor – You can telephone the Birmingham Law Society on 0121 227 8700, they can recommend someone who can help with your circumstances.
Bereavement support information,Cruse We would like to express our condolences on the sad loss of your loved one. Whether their death happened suddenly or was expected, you may feel the need for some support. To help during this very difficult time we would like to offer you some bereavement support. Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust are working closely with Cruse Bereavement Care to offer you this support. Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They offer support, advice and information to those bereaved and work to enhance society’s care of bereaved people. The CAREs team (Certificate and Bereavement team) will offer you this service when you come to collect the death certificate. If you would like to take this up, you will be asked to complete a short form, giving your details so that Cruse Bereavement Care can contact you. The CAREs team will send this form to Cruse Bereavement Care who will then contact you. You can expect a call from them within 4 weeks of you agreeing to their involvement. Cruse Bereavement Care will speak with you on the phone and plan any further support with them or direct you to other suitable services. During this phone call you might decide that you no longer feel the need for bereavement support, this is OK and you can self-refer to Cruse Sandwell in the future if you feel you need it. The contact details for Cruse are below. Cruse Bereavement Care, Sandwell branch. Referral line: 0121 558 1798 Email: sandwell@cruse.org.uk National website: www.cruse.org.uk National helpline: 0808 808 1677 13
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Contact details If you have any queries, please contact us on the following: CARES office Sandwell General Hospital, Lyndon, West Bromwich B71 4HJ Tel: 0121 507 3464 Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm Sandwell General Hospital Mortuary Tel: 0121 507 3280 Chaplaincy Tel: 0121 507 3552
Useful addresses The following useful contacts have been mentioned in this leaflet which you may find useful: Sandwell Register Office Highfields House, High Street, West Bromwich B70 8RJ Tel: 0121 368 1188 Birmingham District Probate Registry The Priory Courts, 33 Bull Street, Birmingham B4 6DU Tel: 0300 123 1072 Monday – Friday, 9.30am – 4.00pm Citizens Advice Bureau 22 Lombard Street, West Bromwich B70 8RT Tel: 03444 111444
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HM Coroner for Sandwell,Dudley,Walsall and Wolverhampton Smethwick Council House, High Street, Smethwick B66 3NT Tel: 0121 569 7200 Monday – Wednesday, 8.00am – 4.00pm, Thursday, 9.00am – 4.00pm, Friday 8.00am - 3.30pm Website: www.birmingham.gov.uk/coroner Inland Revenue Tel: 0300 200 3300 Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management Website: www.iccm-uk.com Legal Services Commission (Legal aid) City Centre Podium, 5 Hill Street, Birmingham B5 4UD Website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/legal-aidagency The Natural Death Centre Website: www.naturaldeath.org.uk Tel: 01962 712 690 To help stop unwanted mail continuing: Website: www.stopmail.co.uk or ask for a free copy leaflet when visiting the Bereavement Office. A free of charge service provided by Bereavement Support.
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Other organisations which can help Please remember there are specialist organisations to help if matters get too complicated for you. Never hesitate to ask. If you think you may need a specialist service that we have not listed, then contact us and we will try to help. Age UK Sandwell Stratford House, Stratford Place, Birmingham, B12 0HT Tel: 0121 437 0033 Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/sandwell The War Widow’s Association of Great Britain 199 Borough High Street, London SE1 1AA Tel: 0845 2412 189 Cruse Bereavement Care, Sandwell branch Referral line: 0121 558 1798 Email: sandwell@cruse.org.uk National website: www.cruse.org.uk National helpline: 0808 808 1677 The Compassionate Friends Kilburn Grange, Priory Park Road, London NW6 7UJ Tel: 0345 123 2304 Website: www.tcf.org.uk The Samaritans 13 Bow Street, Birmingham B1 1DW Tel: 116 123 (National line) Website: www.samaritans.org Wills,probate and inheritance Website: www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance
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Hope Again (Cruse Bereavement Care’s young persons services) Tel: 0808 808 1677 Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk Edwards Trust (Local support for children and families who are facing loss and surviving bereavement) Tel: 0121 454 1705 Website: www.edwardstrust.org.uk Sandwell Wellbeing Hub c/o Spires Health Centre, Victoria Street, Wednesbury, WS10 7EH Tel: 0303 033 9903 Email: wellbeinghub@nhs.net
Publication date: August 2023 Review date: August 2025
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The Hospital would like to thank RNS Publications for publishing this information and the following pages contain some features from services offering 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.
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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.
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This publication has been jointly developed between ourselves and the hospital. We hope that it has been or will be of help at this time and we welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have. Please contact us either by phone, email or by post.
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