Worcestershire Acute Hospital

From Henry Scott Holland (1847 - 1918)

Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I, and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used to. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let it be spoken without effect, without a trace of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolutely unbroken continuity. Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you for an interval. Somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well.

What This Booklet Is For

These notes are a reminder of the first formal steps you need to take.

Some of the notes apply in every case, some may not be so important to you, or will only apply in certain cases.

It can help to have everything written down, rather than trying to remember all the things you have been told. If you have been able to visit, before you leave the hospital, the staff will give you appropriate information regarding what you need to do next. If you have not been able to visit you will be informed over the telephone about next steps.

Please note: we are in an ever changing situation at present and procedures can differ with very little notice but we endeavour to keep you updated with any changes that may occur.

Obtaining The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

To obtain the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) from the hospital please ring the Bereavement Office on:

Worcester Royal Hospital: 01905 760762 (Direct Line) or 01905 763333 Ext. 33405, 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays).

Alexandra Hospital: 01527 512083 or 01527 503030 Ext. 42083, 9.30am to 3.30pm Monday-Friday (excluding public holidays).

Outside of these hours, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

You will be advised on the availability of the medical and death certificate, and will receive help with any questions you may have.

Medical Examiner Role

The Medical Examiner (ME) is a senior doctor working in the Trust to ensure that all adult inpatient deaths are reviewed by someone who is independent and who was not involved in the patient’s care. The ME will ensure that the information contained on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), is correct and that referrals to the Coroner are made, (if necessary), in a timely and appropriate manner to avoid delays.

A key role of the Medical Examiner and Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) is to make it easier for the bereaved to understand the wording on the Medical Certificate which explains the cause of death. They will call you to discuss this.

You will have an opportunity to ask further questions if you wish to do so. You will also be asked if you have any concerns regarding the care provided prior to the patient’s death.

Although he or she may not be able to answer your questions immediately, the ME/MEO will assist in seeking answers as appropriate and advise you about sources of additional support available.

Practical Necessities

You should find out if your relative or friend made a Will. Consult the solicitors who hold it to see what your relative or friend’s wishes were as to the funeral. The Will should also disclose the names of the executors or the persons legally entitled to deal with the deceased’s estate and any questions relating to taxation that may arise.

You may contact any Funeral Director of your choice. You don’t have to wait until the Medical Certificate is issued. In some cases it may not be possible for the hospital doctor to issue a Medical Certificate showing the cause of death (e.g. if the death is referred to the Coroner). In these circumstances notify your Funeral Director and follow his advice. Providing there is no Coroner’s involvement, you will have a telephone call from the Bereavement Office as soon as the death certificate has been completed by the appropriate doctor and checked by the Medical Examiner.

Dignified Relocation

If the death occured during a busy period, it may be necessary to transfer the care of your loved one to either the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch or the Worcester Royal Hospital in Worcester which, forms part of the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

If you have identified a Funeral Director, please inform the Bereavement Office of who they are to enable us, if possible, to facilitate the timely transfer of your loved one directly into their care.

Can I Come And Pay My Last Respects?

If you wish to see the deceased person you may arrange this directly with the mortuary.

Worcester Hospital mortuary: 01905 760343

Alexandra Hospital mortuary 01527 512045

There are currently only limited slots each day MondayFriday. We request that there is only one visit per family with a maximum of 2 attendees. All visitors will be required to complete a Covid-19 screening questionnaire and will be required to wear a fluid shield mask and sanitise their hands.

This service is not available for patients who tested positive to Covid-19.

Chaplaincy Service

If you would like to speak to the Hospital Chaplain, please ask the Ward Staff or Bereavement Staff who will be happy to arrange this for you. They can contact representatives of all faiths as requested.

Is A Post Mortem Required?

The Doctors may request a hospital post-mortem to gain further knowledge of the cause of death. The next of kin has to agree freely to this and sign a consent form. No pressure will be put on you.

However, if the death is sudden, following an accident, operation, fracture etc. or cause unknown, the death may be reported to the Coroner, who may order a post-mortem to be carried out. A certificate will not be issued by the hospital - the Coroner’s Officer will contact the next of kin and advise them about registering the death. The Coroner’s Officer may be contacted on 01905 822330.

What Happens To Property And Valuables?

Any valuables i.e. jewellery/money will be available from the ward. All wards have housekeepers. The next of kin will be asked to produce some form of identification i.e. driving licence or credit card before signing for money or valuables.

The personal effects e.g. clothing and toiletries may be collected directly from the ward.

Registering The Death

Once the MCCD has been completed, the Bereavement Officer will contact you and give you a choice of booking an appointment to register the death

By telephone on: 01905 768181

Online by following these instructions:

• go to www.worcestershire.gov.uk

• then click on option ‘births, deaths and marriages and citizenship’

• then scroll down to ‘deaths’ button

• then click on ‘registering the death’

• then click ‘book an appointment and fill in the form’

Alternatively a member of the bereavement team can help you with making this appointment when they speak to you.

When You Speak To The Registrar

It would be useful if possible, prior to speaking with the Registrar, to identify a Funeral Directors.

The Registrar will need to know:

• The date and place of death.

• The deceased’s last address.

• The deceased’s first name(s) and surname (and maiden name if applicable).

• The deceased’s date and place of birth.

• The deceased’s occupation and the name and occupation of husband (if applicable).

• Whether the deceased was getting a pension or allowance from public funds.

• If the deceased was married, the date of birth of the surviving widow or widower.

The Registrar will give you:

• Let you know how you can get hold of the death certificate (usually by post).

• Send the Certificate for Burial or Cremation (known as the Green Form/Form 9) unless the Coroner has given an Order for Burial or a Certificate for Cremation to the Funeral Directors.

• Reference number for the DWP (BD8) for pension purposes, although you will not need this if taking advantage of the Tell Us Once service mentioned on the following page.

• You can purchase a Death Certificate(s) (certified copy of the register entry) for the cost of £11 each.

Tell Us Once Service

Worcestershire Registration service also provides the National ‘Tell Us Once’ service when you register a death. On your behalf they can notify all central and local government and council departments that need to be informed of the death.

When you speak to one of the Bereavement Officers, 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 for when you speak to the Registrar. You will be given a unique reference number so that you can access the services by telephone or online.

Information and documents you are required to provide:

• The deceased person’s National Insurance number (also spouses National Insurance number if applicable).

• The deceased person’s passport (or passport number if they have one).

• The deceased person’s driving licence, or licence number (if they have one).

• The deceased blue disability parking badge (if they have one).

Stopping Unwanted Junk Mail

Stop mail is a free of charge service provided by the Bereavement Support Network, helping you to stop mail and reduce the likelihood of identity theft in your loss.

Web: stopmail.co.uk

Tel: 0808 168 9607

Beginning The Funeral Arrangements

Burial

Most churches and cemeteries have set fees for burials of which your Funeral Director can advise you. The costs may be higher for the burial of someone who lived outside the parish. Many church yards are no longer open for burials because there is no space left. If a space has been paid for in a cemetery, there will be a Deed of Grant. Most nondenominational cemeteries are owned by either local authorities or private companies, so fees may vary.

Cremation

No one can be cremated until the cause of death is definitely known. There are certain forms that you will be required to sign. Ashes can be scattered in a garden of remembrance or in a favourite spot - permission for this may have to be granted. They may be buried in a church yard or cemetery or they can be kept.

If you have any other questions do ask your Funeral Director. A helpful booklet “Questions People Ask About Cremation” can be obtained from your Funeral Director.

Charitable Donations

If you would like a donation to be made to a favourite charity rather than flowers at the funeral please discuss this with your Funeral Director.

People To Inform

There are various people, companies and other interested parties who need to be informed of the death.

Organisations

Local social services if meals on wheels, home help, day centre transport were used

Bank and/or Building Society

Any hospital the person was attending

The family doctor

The local Inland Revenue office

The local Social Security office to cancel pensions, allowances, benefits etc

Any employer or trade union

A child’s or young person’s teacher, employer or college, should be informed if a parent, brother, sister, grandparent or close friend has died

Car insurance company. People driving a car insured in the deceased’s name are not legally insured

Gas and electricity suppliers, telephone company

Royal Mail deliveries, local newsagents, milkman

Professional organisations

Local Authority Housing Department, if the deceased was receiving Housing Benefits/Council Tax benefit, also if the deceased was living in property rented from the Council

Private Landlord

Will

Birth / Marriage Certificate

Funeral Plans

Life Assurance Policy

Care Insurance Policy

Home Contents Policy

House Building Policy

Shares / Investment Certificates

Disability Policy

Mortgage Papers

Property Deeds

Premium Bonds

Unit Trusts

National Savings Certificates

Bank Account Books

Pension Details

Chiropodist Appointments

Dentist Appointments

Optician Appointments

Doctors / Hospital Appointments

Funeral Expenses

Driving Licence*

Child Benefit Books etc*

Car Registration Documents*

Season Tickets*

Library Tickets*

National Insurance Papers*

Medical Cards

Passport*

Membership Cards*

Credit Cards*

* These items need to be returned to the originator

What May Need Returning?

The deceased’s passport, driving licence, car registration documents, membership cards and National Insurance papers must all be returned to the relevant offices. Check for any library books that might need returning. If there was any NHS equipment being used it will need to be returned to either the hospital or health centre from where it came.

DWP Bereavement Service

Contact the bereavement service to cancel the person’s benefits and entitlements, e.g. State Pension. They’ll also check if you’re eligible for help with funeral costs or other benefits. You may find more information online at www.gov.uk

Telephone: 0800 731 0469

Textphone: 0800 731 0464

Your Doctor Can Help

Bereavement can turn your world upside-down and is one of the most painful experiences we have to endure. Most of the time it is something that we all go through without need for medical attention. For those who do run into problems however, there is help available and you shouldn’t hesitate to contact your GP.

Help and support after someone dies

Bereavement Support Payment

www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

Eligibility

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife or civil partner died after 6 April 2017.

You could be eligible if your partner either:

• paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks

• died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work

When they died you must have been:

• under State Pension age

• living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits

You can’t claim Bereavement Support Payment if you’re in prison.

If your husband, wife or civil partner died before 6 April 2017

You may be able to get one or more of the following:

• Bereavement Payment (a one-off payment)

• Bereavement Allowance (monthly payments)

• Widowed Parent’s Allowance (if you’re bringing up children)

What you’ll get

You’ll get a first payment and then up to 18 monthly payments. There are 2 rates.

If you get Child Benefit (or if you don’t get it but are entitled to it), you’ll get the higher rate.

If you do not get Child Benefit, you’ll get the lower rate unless you were pregnant when your husband, wife or civil partner died.

You must claim within 3 months of your husband, wife or civil partner’s death to get the full amount. You can claim up to 21 months after but your payments will be less.

Your payments will be paid into your bank or building society account.

If you get benefits

Bereavement Support Payment will not affect your benefits for a year after your first payment. After a year, any payment you have left over could affect the amount of benefit you’re eligible for.

You must tell your benefits office (for example, your local Jobcentre Plus) when you start getting Bereavement Support Payment.

How to claim

How you apply depends on where you are.

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales

You can apply using a form or by phone. Download a Bereavement Support Payment pack (form BSP1) from www.gov.uk or order it over the phone from your local Jobcentre Plus.

Take the completed form to your local Jobcentre Plus or send it to:

Bereavement Support Payment

Mail Handling Site A

Wolverhampton

WV98 2BS

Bereavement Service helpline

Telephone: 0800 731 0469

Welsh Language: 0800 731 0453

Textphone: 0800 731 0464

Welsh language textphone: 0800 731 0456

Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 and then 0800 731 0469

Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm

Grieving

Death is usually beyond the control of anyone.

Bereavement is a distressing experience that all of us encounter at sometime in our lives. Yet it is something that is talked about very little. Different people react to bereavement in different ways. Some people get stuck in the grieving process. The information contained in this publication is designed to help with such eventualities as well as suggesting certain associations and businesses that can help with the practicalities and also help you to plan for the future.

Grieving is a natural process that can take place after any kind of loss. When a loved one dies our feelings of grief have to run their course. There are a whole succession of different feelings that can take time to go through and must not be hurried. Although people are all individuals, the order in which they go through these feelings is very similar.

For some hours or days following the death of someone who is close, most people feel stunned. A feeling of disbelief is common, even if the death has been expected. This feeling of emotional numbness can help in dealing with the various practical arrangements that have to be made. However this detachment from reality can become a problem if it goes on for too long.

To overcome this it can help to see the person who has died. Sometimes it’s not until the funeral that the reality of what has happened finally sinks in. Although it may be distressing to attend the funeral or to see the body, it is important to say goodbye to the one we loved. It is often the case for people who did not do this to experience a great feeling of regret for years to come.

After the feeling of numbness has gone it is often replaced by a sense of agitation and a yearning for the person who has died. This can affect the bereaved in their everyday life. It may be difficult to relax, concentrate or sleep properly. Some people experience extremely disturbing dreams, others say that they see their loved one everywhere they go, more commonly in the places that they used to spend time together.

It is also quite usual to feel angry at this time - towards doctors and medical staff for not preventing the death, towards people around such as friends and relatives, even towards the person who has died.

Another common feeling is guilt. It is possible that people who are bereaved will go over in their mind all the things that they wished that they had said or done. In some cases they may even consider what they could have done to have prevented the death. Guilt is sometimes experienced if a sense of relief is felt when someone has died, particularly after a distressing illness. This feeling is perfectly natural and very common.

These strong, confusing emotions can be felt for quite a while after the death and are generally followed by periods of sadness and lethargy. Grief can be sparked off many months after the death.

It is important to remember that some people cannot deal with other people's emotions and tend to stay away at the time when they are needed most of all. You may have to encourage these people to talk to you. Try not to be upset if they can't.

It is best to resume a normal life as soon as possible.

The pain caused by the death of a loved one never entirely disappears. For the bereaved person there are constant reminders of their loss - seeing other families together and from the images seen on television of happy families. All of this can make it difficult to adjust to a new lifestyle.

The different stages of mourning tend to overlap and can show themselves in various ways. There is no "standard" way of grieving. Time helps us to adjust.

Some people hardly seem to grieve at all. They avoid any mention of their loss, do not cry at the funeral and appear to return to their normal life quickly. For some people this is just their way of dealing with their loss and no harm occurs.

Others however may suffer physical illness and periods of deep sadness for some time to come. Some people get stuck in the grieving pattern. The sense of disbelief and shock continues and never seems to end, they cannot think about anything else but the death of their loved one.

If this happens there is a list of care associations who can help at the end of this booklet.

Grief In Children And Adolescents

Generally children do not understand the meaning of death until they are three or four years old, but they feel the loss of a close friend or relative in much the same way as adults. Even in infancy it is clear that children grieve and feel great distress.

Children experience the passage of time differently to adults and can therefore appear to overcome grief quite quickly.

Children in their early school years may need reassuring that they are not responsible for the death of a close relative as sometimes they blame themselves.

It is important that the grief of young people is not overlooked as they will often not want to burden parents by talking about their feelings. They should be encouraged to take part in the whole bereavement process. Wherever possible they should be allowed to attend the funeral and to express their own grief by talking, writing, drawing pictures, buying flowers from their own money or in whatever way they wish.

Support

Things to Avoid

• Don't rush into having the funeral right away unless it is the practice of your culture and don’t be persuaded to have an expensive funeral unless you really want it.

• Avoid entering into any financial or legal arrangements unless you fully understand them.

• Avoid making any major changes to your life while you are still grieving. Give yourself lots of time to think about changes you may wish to make and discuss these plans with others.

• Avoid letting others rush you into anything before you are ready, but remember that sometimes you may not know whether you are ready for something unless you give it a try.

• We have provided a list of contact numbers of various organisations to offer you support, which are located in the Useful Information section of this booklet.

Things to Do

• Express your feelings as much as possible. Try to bring out into the open whatever you are feeling. This is important in working through your grief.

• Give yourself time to overcome your grief. There is no fixed time to get over bereavement.

• Talk through what has happened with someone you trust e.g. your family, a close friend, an appropriate support group.

• Do take good care of yourself, get lots of rest, eat well and give yourself lots of time to grieve.

• Contact your GP if you feel unwell.

• Keep in touch with friends and family - remember that most people feel honoured to be asked to help. Many people feel awkward and embarrassed about offering their help, so it may be left to you to ask for it, even though this may be difficult for you.

• Begin to make longer term plans for the future so that you will always have something to look forward to, but avoid rushing into making any big changes in your life.

Useful Information

Although we cannot recommend organisations, we have listed several local and national organisations used when dealing with bereavement. It is sometimes easier to talk to a stranger on the telephone about the way you feel rather than someone that is close to you.

If you would like to talk to someone about the care of your loved one or have any concerns you would like to discuss please contact our

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

wah-tr.pals@nhs.net

Tel: 0300 123 1732

Complaints team

wah-tr.complaints@nhs.net

Tel: 0300 123 1733

General and practical advice following a bereavement

Age UK

Advice line: 0800 678 1602

Worcs: 0190 572 4294

Freephone: 0800 055 6112

www.ageuk.org.uk

Citizens Advice Bureau

Worcestershire Adviceline: 0808 278 7891

Text on 0798 44 39 479 stating (i) your name (ii) your postcode (iii) the type of advice needed (for example DEBT, HOUSING or BENEFITS). We will then call you back on your mobile phone.

Online at advice@citaworcester.org.uk for initial contact by email.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Samaritans

Tel: 116 123 (free)

Tel: 0330 094 5717 (local charges apply)

www.samaritans.org

Advice for carers

Worcestershire Carers Association

Tel: 0300 012 4272

www.carersworcs.org.uk

Specialist Bereavement support

Bereavement Support South Worcestershire

Worcs tel: 0190 576 0934

www.bereavementsupportworcestershire.org.uk

Compassionate Friends

TCF offers many different kinds of support for bereavement families whatever the cause of your loss, wherever you are in the UK, and whatever your circumstances.

Tel: 0345 123 2304

Email: helpline@tcf.org.uk

www.tcf.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Relief

Tel: 0808 808 0000

www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/ supporting-someone/coping-with-bereavement

St Richards Hospice

Wildwood Drive, Worcester, WR5 2QT

Tel: 0190 576 3963

www.strichards.org.uk/our-care/support-services/for-familiesand-carers/bereavement-support

Cruse Bereavement

Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Worcester: 0190 522 223

Email: worcestershire@cruse.org.uk

www.cruse.org.uk

West Mercia Victim Support

Tel local victim care team: 0190 572 6885

Tel national helpline: 0808 168 9111

www.victimsupport.org.uk

Primrose Hospice

St Goldwalds Road, Bromsgrove

Tel: 0152 787 1051

Family support team: 0152 787 1051

www.primrosehospice.org

Child and baby loss

Child Death

Tel: 0800 282 986/0808 800 6019

www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk

Lullaby Trust (Infant Deaths)

Bereavement support: 0808 802 6868

Helpline: 0207 802 3200

Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk

www.lullabytrust.org.uk

Miscarriage Association

Tel: 0192 420 0799

Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk

www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

SANDS (Stills Birth & Neonatal Death Society)

10-18 Union Street, London, SE1 1SZ

Tel: 0808 164 3332

Email: helpline@sands.org.uk

www.sands.org.uk

Acorns childrens hospice

Tel: 0190 576 7676

Email: ThreeCounties.Admin@acorns.org.uk

www.acorns.org.uk

Terence Higgins Trust

HIV and sexual health

Tel: 0808 802 1221

Email: info@tht.org.uk

www.tht.org.uk

Local

Please contact bereavement team on 01905 760762 if you would like this leaflet in another language or format (such as Braille or easy read).

Bengali

Urdu

Portuguese

Polish

Chinese

Reference: Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Bereavement Book

Review Date: April 2025

Publication Date: April 2023

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.

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.

Funeral Partners