Death in Professional Care
What to do when someone dies in professional care
The hospital’s bereavement or family liaison officers will offer practical guidance on what happens next. They will usually provide:
- The Medical Certificate of Death
- Contact details for the nearest Registry Office, so you can register the death
When you’re ready, we can:
- Liaise directly with the hospital or care home to begin making the necessary arrangements on your behalf
- Talk through funeral plans with you, even before the death is registered if that feels helpful
Death registration typically takes place at the Registry Office closest to where the person passed away. This is usually carried out by a relative or the executor of the will. Please note that many Registry Offices now require an appointment.
In a few instances, when the cause of death is unclear, the medical staff will have to report the death to the police and the coroner, who may wish for a post mortem to be carried out.
This may delay the death certificate, but you can still proceed with making arrangements for the funeral. We are available to talk at any time of the day or night.