Contents Page No. Our Sympathy... 1 At the time of death... 2 Emergency Department (ED)... 3 The Coroner... 4 Can I come and pay my last respects... 4 Registration of death... 5 Wills, Probate & Inheritance... 8 Suffolk Registration Offices... 9 Organ & Tissue Donation... 10 Coroner s Post Mortem Examination... 11 Hospital Post Mortem Examination... 11 Arranging the funeral... 12 Feelings... 14 Useful Contacts... 15 Spiritual advice... 16 Support organisations... 17
Our Sympathy We wish to extend our sympathy and condolences to you at this sad time. If you need help in any way, please do not hesitate to ask. If you wish, the Nurse-in-Charge can arrange for you to talk to the Doctors, Nurses, Chaplains and any other members of the staff involved in the care of your loved one at a mutually agreed time. The days following a bereavement can be difficult. Unfortunately, it is a period during which a number of matters must be dealt with. All of this can prove confusing and we hope this booklet will assist you during this time. 1
At the time of death When a death occurs in the hospital a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (referred to as the certificate from now on) can usually be issued by the doctor. However, if the death is sudden or unexpected, the Coroner will have to be notified; this may delay the issuing of the certificate. Please telephone the Bereavement Support Officer after 10.00am the next working weekday after the death to ask when the certificate will be ready for collection. The office is open between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. The telephone number is 01284 713410. Our telephone line can be very busy, we apologise if you connect to an answer-phone. It is essential that you leave a contact name and number. Please be assured we will respond to your message as soon as we can. In most cases the hospital will be able to give you the certificate within 48 hours of your phone call, although this may take longer after weekends and bank holidays. If the doctors are able to issue the certificate, the Bereavement Support Officer will arrange for you to collect this form together with any personal property held by the hospital. The Bereavement Support Officer will also be able to assist you with any questions/queries you may have. When you arrive at the hospital please ask at the Main Reception desk for the Bereavement Support Office and you will be escorted around to them. In the event of a sudden death in the Emergency Department, a police officer acting as a Coroners Officer will automatically be informed and attend (see following page). 2
Emergency Department (ED) Usually deaths occurring in this department are sudden or unexpected. A police officer will usually be called who will attend and act as a Coroner s Officer. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases the doctor will be unable to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death due to the death being unexpected and/or the cause of it not known, work related or the result of an accident/ road traffic or similar. The doctor will notify the Coroner of the death so please telephone the Bereavement Support Officer (direct telephone line: 01284 713410) for further advice on what to do next. The hospital may also be holding clothing, cash and valuables belonging to the deceased so please check with the Bereavement Support Officer. Clothes that are badly damaged, soiled or wet may have to be destroyed unless taken away immediately. If there is police involvement, then any property may be listed and taken by the police on behalf of the Coroner or for safe keeping. To retrieve any items you should in the first instance contact the Coroner s Office. 3
The Coroner Under certain circumstances, it is a legal requirement to inform the Coroner of a death. For example; If a patient dies having had a fall or an accident prior to death If the death was sudden and unexpected If they had been in hospital for less than 24 hours or had a recent operation Or if there is a possibility of it being an unnatural death Work related If there is a need to contact the Coroner, the Coroner will then decide if the hospital doctor can issue the certificate or whether a post mortem examination is needed. The Coroners Officer, if required, can be contacted on 01473 613888 Ext: 3159 Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm. During out of office hours you will be connected to an answer-phone. It is essential that you leave a contact name and number. Please be assured the Coroner s Office will respond to your message as soon as they can. See page 11 for information on a Coroners Post Mortem Examination. Can I come and pay my last respects? Friends and relatives wishing to visit the mortuary to pay their last respects are advised that the hospital has only limited facilities. You may find that going to the undertaker s chapel of rest is preferable but sometimes this may involve an unacceptable delay. If this is the case the hospital mortuary viewing room is available by appointment. To make an appointment during office hours please telephone 01284 713410 and ask for the Bereavement Support Officer, who will arrange a mutually convenient date and time. Out of office hours please telephone 01284 713000 and ask the switchboard to bleep the Clinical Site Manager who may be able to make similar arrangement. 4
Registration of death The death will need to be registered with the Register Office within five working days (unless the Coroner is involved) and to do this you will need the medical certificate of cause of death. An appointment is necessary. We recommend that you do not make the appointment until either the Bereavement Support Officer (at the hospital), or the Coroners Office advises you to do so. Normally a close relative or the person making the funeral arrangements register the death. A death that occurs in Suffolk can be registered at any of the Registration service points in the county (see page 9). Please note that at your request, staff at the Bury St Edmunds Register Office are able to book appointments at any of these Register Offices. You can also make an appointment to register a death on line; www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies. The website also provides opening hours and contact details for all the offices and more detailed information about death registration. Bury St Edmunds Tel: 0345 607 2060 Registration Service 7 Angel Hill Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1UZ The Bury St Edmunds office is open Monday to Friday (but not Bank Holidays), 9.00am to 4.00pm. Open at 11.00am every third Wednesday of the month. You will be asked if you require copies of the death certificate for a number of official purposes. Individual circumstances vary, so we cannot say how many copies you will need. There is a fee for providing copies of the death certificate; there is no free copy. Copies may be purchased later, but the charge is greater. 5
It would be helpful if the deceased s birth certificate, marriage/ civil partnership certificate (as appropriate) and medical card can be taken to the Registrars Office, but it is not essential. It is also advisable to take ID in respect of yourself eg. passport/driving licence. The registrar will need the following information about the deceased: The date and place of death Full name of the deceased. This should be the name they used at time of their death The maiden name, in the case of a woman who has been married The date and place of birth (town and country if possible) The last occupation of the person who has died The usual address of the person who has died. If the person who has died was married, widowed or in a civil partnership, you will also need to know: The full name of the wife, husband or civil partner The occupation of the wife, husband or civil partner If the person who has died was married, or in a civil partnership, the date of birth of their spouse or partner. 6
Tell Us Once Tell Us Once is a government initiative which aims to ease the burden of notifying multiple local and central government departments that someone has died. The service, offered as an option at your death registration appointment, will mean that you can tell them once and they will, with your permission, share data with the departments and agencies on your behalf. You will need to be next of kin or the person dealing with the deceased s estate to use this service or have permission to do so. The data will be shared with a number of central and local government departments including HM Revenue and Customs, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, Department for Work and Pensions Identity and Passport Service, housing benefit, Blue badge, social care and libraries. You will need to supply the following information: Deceased s National Insurance Number Deceased s surviving husband, wife or civil partner s National Insurance Number Next of Kin s name, address and telephone number Information about any benefits and services the deceased may have been receiving (e.g. state pension, income support, housing benefit, library cards etc.,) Name and address of the person dealing with the deceased s estate (if different) Driving licence (if held) Passport (if held) Blue Badge (if held). If you are unable to locate any of this information in time for your appointment, you will still be able to use the service later by telephone. The registrar will give you a unique reference number and a telephone number to call. 7
The Registrar will give you the following: A certificate for burial or cremation (green form) This should be given to your funeral director A certificate of registration of death - Form BD8 (white form) Please read the information on the back of the form, fill it in and send it to your local pensions office or JobCentre Plus Office What to do after a Death booklet The registrar will also give you a booklet called What to do after a Death. Issued by the Department for Work and Pensions, it gives helpful advice on probate and other administrative issues that will need to be sorted out or www.direct.gov.uk (click on Government, citizens and rights). Wills, Probate & Inheritance When someone dies you will need to get the legal right to deal with their property, money and possessions (their estate ). In England and Wales you may be able to apply for a grant of representation, known as probate. You can apply yourself or use a solicitor or another person licensed to provide probate services. For information, forms and guidance contact The Probate & Inheritance Tax Helpline 0300 123 1072 or www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance. 8
Suffolk Registration Offices www.suffolk.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-ceremonies Any birth or death which occurs in Suffolk can be registered at any of the Registration service points in the County (see below) Registration Office Address Tel. Number Bury St Edmunds 7 Angel Hill,Bury St Edmunds IP33 1UZ 0345 607 2060 Felixstowe (contact Ipswich for an appointment) The Town Hall, Upper Cliff Road West, Felixstowe IP11 2AG 0345 607 2050 Haverhill (contact Sudbury for an appointment) Ipswich (Suffolk Register Office) Lowestoft (Waveney Office) Newmarket (contact BSE for an appointment) Saxmundham (contact Woodbridge for an Appointment) Stowmarket Sudbury Woodbridge (The Melton Registration Office) The Burton Centre, Camps Road, Haverhill CB9 8HB St Peter House, 16 Grimwade Street, Ipswich IP4 1LP 2 Canning Road, Lowestoft NR33 0EQ 63 The Guineas, The Guineas Centre, Newmarket CB8 8HT County Offices, Street Farm Road, Saxmundham IP17 1AL Milton House, Milton Road South, Stowmarket, IP14 1EZ The Town Hall, Old Market Place, Sudbury CO10 1TL The Lindos Centre, Saddlemakers Lane, Melton, Woodbridge IP12 1PP 0345 607 2080 0345 607 2050 0345 607 2070 0345 607 2060 0345 607 2090 0345 607 2050 0345 607 2080 0345 607 2090 9
Organ & Tissue Donation Organ donation is the gift of an organ or tissue to help someone who needs a transplant. A transplant can save and dramatically improve someone s life, but they depend entirely on the generosity of donors and their families. Organ donation (heart, lungs, kidneys, liver or pancreas) can only take place from a limited number of people who have died, whilst on a life support machine in Critical Care and Accident & Emergency. However, people who have died elsewhere may still be able to provide invaluable help to others by the donation of tissue. Tissue donation (cornea, heart valves, skin, tendons and bone) can make a huge difference to people s lives and most people who die can donate some or all of these. The deceased may have; expressed a wish to donate organs/ tissues for transplantation; have registered on-line as a NHS Donor or carried a donor card. Please inform one of the doctors or the nurse in charge of the ward if this is the case. Before any form of donation can take place, you will need to talk to someone experienced in this field so that you are fully informed before formal agreement is sought. Your loved one will always be treated with dignity and respect throughout this process. More detailed information on NHS Organ Donation is available on: www.organdonation.nhs.uk or telephone 03001232323. Some people have previously made arrangements to bequeath their body for medical science after death: this action is greatly appreciated. Relatives should contact the relevant organisation, which will then get in touch with the hospital direct. More information on body donation is available on: www.hta.gov.uk and follow the link How to donate your body. 10
Coroner s Post Mortem Examination Relatives will be informed if a post mortem examination is necessary. The Coroner is legally empowered to request this, irrespective of religious beliefs, consent is therefore not required. If you have any concerns you can discuss these with the Coroner s Officer. They will ask which funeral directors you intend using and whether a burial or cremation is to be arranged. A post mortem examination is usually carried out within the hospital. It is a medical procedure carried out by a specialist pathologist to find out more accurately the cause of death. Following the outcome, the Coroner s Office will be in touch and will inform you of the result. A certificate will be issued by the Coroner and this will be sent to the Register Office directly. Once this certificate has been issued you may then make an appointment to register the death at the Register Office. If the death requires further investigation an inquest may be opened and adjourned. The Coroner s Office will guide you through their process. Hospital Post Mortem Examination Occasionally the doctor treating the deceased may seek consent for a post mortem examination to be carried out in order to improve their understanding of the deceased s illness or the cause of death in order to improve their understanding of the disease. This kind of post mortem examination is not legally required and is only carried out with the complete consent of the deceased s next-of-kin. Where a hospital post mortem examination is carried out the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will still be issued by the hospital. 11
Arranging the funeral There is no legal requirement to use the services of a funeral director, but many families find the prospect of organising a funeral entirely without support from a funeral director very daunting, not least from a practical point of view. Good funeral directors are experienced at caring for those who have died and helping families organise funeral ceremonies. The deceased may have expressed a wish or a desire in respect of the funeral service, preferring burial or cremation for their eventual place of rest. You may like to find out whether a preference has been expressed. A wish or desire may, for instance, be included in a will. Unless you have already done so, the funeral director will notify your local Minister, Priest or representative of your faith, who should visit you to talk about the service. Burials may be in a churchyard, local authority cemetery or woodland burial site. Similarly, cremated remains may be buried or scattered in a Garden of Remembrance or some favourite place. Please remember that if you wish to use your own garden for the ashes, you may someday wish to move house and therefore will lose access to that place. Prices for funerals vary. You may wish to see a brochure and price list in order to compare costs before you make a decision. All funeral directors should be happy to give you an estimate of the cost. If you are in receipt of any benefit the Department for Works & Pensions may be able to help with the cost. 12
A Funeral Director, will also visit you at home to help and advise on the necessary arrangements. Please ask the Bereavement Support Officer if you would like a list of local funeral directors. The organisations listed below give further information: National Association of Funeral Directors 0121 711 1343 www.nafd.org.uk National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors 0345 230 6777 www.saif.org.uk The Natural Death Centre 01962 712690 www.naturaldeath.org.uk 13
Feelings For many, the death of someone close is perhaps the most overwhelming of all the experiences that we may ever have to face. The grief that accompanies such a loss may be intense and painful, affecting our emotions, bodies and lives. Even when expected, it may still be a shock. To mourn for someone we have known or loved is an entirely normal experience. Losing someone is an experience that many will share, but we will all react differently. For some, expressions of grief will be overwhelming and will be expressed publicly. For others, they may be very private, but no less deeply felt. Men in particular may find it difficult to show their emotions. All of us need to share our feelings in order to be able to cope with them. Emotionally, grief can change from moment to moment. These feelings are real and painful, but they are also acceptable, understandable and normal. Our grief may be experienced in a physical way - shaking, numbness, loss of appetite, vomiting and sleeplessness. These symptoms will pass, but if they persist, please consult your doctor. Grief throws our lives out of balance and there are bound to be good days and bad days. Do not panic - all this is normal. In the meantime, try to avoid making hasty decisions. We may find that sometimes we need to be alone with our thoughts. At other times, we will feel the need to share them. Usually this will be easier with friends and family, but often they may feel awkward and inadequate, even though, deep down, they are desperate to help. 14
We may find it easier to talk with someone outside our circle of friends and family. Remember that your family doctor, Hospital Chaplain or representative of your own faith, social worker or bereavement groups do care and will listen and support you. Do not forget that children, like us, experience grief but may not be able to fully understand what is happening. Watch for a change in behaviour and sleep patterns, reassure them, share your emotions and do not be afraid to include them. Mourning is a time of convalescence. It is a time of facing the feelings that our loss evokes, our thoughts, the past, our present and future. Each of us in our own time will begin to learn to live with the absence of the one we love. Our period of mourning allows us to heal and find our capacity for life once more. Useful Contacts Bereavement Advice Centre 0800 634 9494 Practical information and advice. www.bereavementadvice.org Citizens Advice Bureau Local branch in Bury St Edmunds 01284 753675 www.citizensadvice.org.uk DWP Bereavement Service 0345 606 0265 The phone line is run by the Pension Service, but deals with calls about bereavement from people of all ages. 15
Spiritual advice The Hospital Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care Department The West Suffolk Hospital Chaplaincy provides spiritual care and pastoral support for the bereaved and is available for people of all faiths and none. The chapel is situated on the ground floor of the hospital and is available for you to use, for prayer, worship or meditation, at any time of day or night. If you would like to talk to someone from the chaplaincy for support or advice, please phone the chaplaincy on 01284 713486 or call Bereavement Support Office on 01284 713410. The hospital chaplains are also available to answer any questions you may have about funeral arrangements. Annual Service of Remembrance and Sharing Every 2nd Sunday in May of each year, we hold a special service of Remembering and Sharing for all those who have lost children, whatever their age. The service will take place in the Hospital Chapel at 3.00pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Annual Memorial Service A service is held at our woodland burial site in Culford. Please contact our chaplains for details. Bereavement Support Bereavement support for those who have lost loved ones is available through the Chaplaincy Department. Please contact 01284 713486 to speak to a Chaplain. For further information on the Chaplaincy, please see our website: www.wsh.nhs.uk/chaplaincy 16
Support organisations Adult and Community Services, West Suffolk Hospital Social workers can be contacted during office hours at West Suffolk Hospital on 01284 713400 or by calling Adult and Children services, in Suffolk on 0808 8004005 Age UK Suffolk Advice and information for older people, their families and carers. The Risbygate Centre Tel: 01284 757750 90 Risbygate Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 3AA www.ageuk.org.uk/suffolk The Compassionate Friends The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is an organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children. 14 New King Street Helpline: 0345 123 2304 Deptford London SE8 3HS www.tcf.org.uk 17
Cruse Bereavement Care Cruse Bereavement Care exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone suffering bereavement caused by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Local Branch West Suffolk Cruse Tel: 01284 767674 Correspondence address; Helpline: 0844 477 9400 The Risbygate Centre 90 Risbygate Street Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk IP33 3AA www.suffolkcruse.co.uk Cruse Bereavement Care Hope Again Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where young people who are facing grief can share their stories with others. www.hopeagain.org.uk London Friend Helpline support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people (LGB&T). Also welcome calls from affected family, friends, colleagues and carers. London Friend Main Office Tel: 020 7833 1674 86 Caledonian Road Helpline: 020 7837 3337 London Open: Mon, Tues, Weds N1 9DN evenings 7.30pm to 9.30pm www.londonfriend.org.uk The Lullaby Trust Confidential support for those affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby. 11 Belgrade Road Tel: 020 7802 3200 London Helpline: 0808 802 6868 SW1V 1RB www.lullabytrust.org.uk 18
The Miscarriage Association Provides information and support for women who have suffered a miscarriage, Ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy. 17 Wentworh Terrace Tel: 01924 200799 Wakefield, West Yorks WF1 3QW www.miscarriageassocation.org.uk WAY Widowed & Young National charity for men and women aged 50 or under. Suite 17, College Business Centre Uttoxeter Road, Derby DE22 3WZ website: www.widowedandyoung.org.uk RoadPeace RoadPeace offers a practical and emotional support service to the bereaved and injured through road traffic accidents. Shakespeare Business Centre Tel: 020 7733 1603 245a Coldharbour Lane Helpline: 0845 450 0355 Brixton London SW9 8RR www.roadpeace.org 19
The Samaritans The Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day, seven days a week including Christmas and Bank Holidays for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Bury St Edmunds & Tel: 0845 790 9090 (UK only) West Suffolk Branch Local Tel: 01284 750000 46 Well Street Bury St Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1EQ www.samaritans.org The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society SANDS Sands is the stillbirth and neonatal death charity. They operate throughout the UK supporting anyone affected by the death of a baby and promoting research to reduce the loss of babies lives. 28 Portland Place Tel: 020 7436 7940 London W1B 1LY Helpline: 020 7436 5881 www.uk-sands.org Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) A self-help organisation which offers group meetings, telephone support and information to meet the needs and break the isolation of people bereaved by suicide. The Flamsteed Centre Tel: 0115 944 1117 Albert Street Helpline: 0300 111 5065 Ilkeston Derbyshire DE7 5GU www.uk-sobs.org.uk 20
Winston s Wish Winston s Wish offers support, information and guidance to all those caring for a child or young person who has been bereaved. 3 rd Floor Tel: 01242 515157 Cheltenham House Helpline: 0845 203 0405 Clarence Street Cheltenham GL50 3JR www.winstonswish.org.uk Important information about this booklet The aim of this booklet is to provide some useful help and advice during the early days of your bereavement. We have done our best to make sure the booklet is correct at the time of going to print - (March 2016). However, if you have any feedback or comments on this leaflet please phone; Patient Advice & Liaison Service on 01284 712555. Disclaimer Whilst the Trust is grateful for the support of companies advertising, we stress that any inclusion of advertising in this booklet does not imply approval or recommendation of the advertisers by the Trust. 21
Notes Reference: West Suffolk Hospital Bereavement Booklet Review Date: March 2018 Publication Date: March 2016
Published by RNS Publications Tel: 01253 832400 R6