The management and staff of Hillingdon Hospital wish to extend sympathy and condolences to you for your loss at this time.
We understand that this is the start of a period of grief and sorrow but it is also, for the next of kin, a time when a number of formalities must be attended to. These can prove confusing and onerous and we hope that the following information will be helpful.
This booklet aims to provide you with some useful advice during the early days of bereavement, but please do not hesitate to ask questions if you are unclear about any matter. Our staff will always be pleased to help.
The government website, www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies also provides practical information on what to do after a death.
The Bereavement Office and Medical Examiner Office
The Bereavement Suite is located on lower ground floor in the Jubilee building, please see map on page 3 of this booklet. If you are unsure please check with reception on arrival.
The bereavement office deals with all matters relating to the release of a person for burial, cremation or repatriation. They liaise with the register office and inform family of the process for registration. They will also co-ordinate release of the deceased’s personal property.
The medical examiner office ensures that all the deaths in the trust are scrutinised by the duty medical examiner and the attending qualifying practitioner before the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is completed. The officers liaise with all parties to ensure that the bereaved are fully informed regarding the cause of death and given the opportunity to ask questions or make observations.
Property
In order to collect the deceased’s personal belongings, you will need to make an appointment with the Bereavement Office by calling 01895 279354 (internal ext. 53354) or by emailing: thh-tr.bereavement@nhs.net
Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) provides the cause of death to the register office so that they can register the death. They issue you with a number of death certificates for you to use for any administration matters. This is commonly called the ‘death certificate’ and is different to the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). Usually, there is no delay in issuing the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the register office and the bereavement or medical examiner team will contact you by telephone when the certificate has been prepared.
You will not need to attend the bereavement office to collect the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). We will scan the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the register office directly, after speaking to you.
Opening times
Monday - Friday (excluding bank holidays)
Telephone: 01895 279354 (internal ext. 53354)
Email: thh-tr.bereavement@nhs.net
Helping us to improve communication
By providing us with your email address, we can continue to monitor and improve our communication for families in the future with our anonymous survey. Please let us know if you would like to be part of this research and a questionnaire will be sent out at a respectable time after we have spoken to you.
Registering a Death
If the death is not referred to the coroner or if the coroner issues a Form A to confirm that he does not need to take further action, the death must be registered at the local office of Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths in the district where the death occurred, usually within five days of the death (but this may be waived if the coroner is involved).
The person registering the death must contact the register office to book a date and time for an appointment. This can be done by contacting them online at:
The registrar will confirm the appointment date and time for you to attend the register office at:
The Civic Centre High Street
Uxbridge
UB8 1UW
The registrar will prepare:
• A certificate for burial and cremation (known as the green form), unless the coroner has given them an ‘order for burial’ or ‘certificate for cremation’. The funeral director will need whichever form issued so that the funeral can be held.
• A certificate of registration of death. This is for social security purposes only and should be taken to the Benefits Agency, along with any pension or payment books.
• The death certificate. If referred to the coroner this will not be issued unless authorised after the inquest or investigation is completed.
• The “Tell Us Once” notification, with a unique number which allows you to notify certain government departments in regard to various government and local council matters, (pension, driving licence, passport, council tax, etc.)
Who may register a Death?
Only certain people may register a death:
• A relative of the deceased
• A person present at the death
• The occupier of the place of death (or the bereavement office staff)
• The person arranging the funeral (but not the funeral director)
• The executor of the Will
What questions will they ask?
When you speak to the registrar, you should have the following to hand:
• The deceased’s medical card (if possible)
• The date and place of death
• The deceased’s date and place of birth
• The deceased’s full name and birth name
• The deceased’s last (usual) address
• If the deceased was married, the full name and date of birth of the surviving spouse
• The deceased’s occupation and the occupation of their partner (if applicable)
• Evidence, if the deceased was receiving a state pension or any benefits
The registrar will advise you on the number of copies of the death certificate that you will need. Please be aware that there is a charge required for each copy.
The Coroner’s Court
Some deaths must be reported to the coroner by law. In the case of sudden or accidental death or if the doctor is unsure of the cause of death, the doctor must inform the coroner.
The coroner has the task of investigating deaths in a variety of circumstances, such as:
• No precise cause of death can be established
• Where the deceased has not seen a doctor within 28 days before their death
• Where death occurred during an operation or before full recovery from the effects of anaesthetic
• Where the death was sudden and unexpected or is not thought to be from natural causes, e.g., an accident, selfharm or homicide
• Where a death may be due to an industrial injury or disease
If the death has been referred to the coroner, the procedure is slightly different and the medical examiner office will advise you concerning this. The coroner will decide the next step to take and either they or the medical examiner office will contact the documented next of kin.
When a death takes place at weekends or Public Holidays
While staff endeavour at all times to assist in the fulfilling of any particular religious requirement you may have in relation to funeral practices, sometimes there are unavoidable delays in the issuing of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). In all these circumstances the person’s body cannot be released immediately, and a delay is to be expected. The main causes of such delays are listed here:
1. When the death takes place ‘out of hours’ and when there are no legal reasons for the delay, the issuing of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) may be delayed
• Friday afternoon - Monday morning
• A Public Holiday
2. When there are legal reasons for a delay: see section ‘Duties of the Coroner’
3. When the funeral is to take place out of England or Wales
• An ‘Out of England’ order will be issued to you by the Coroner beforehand
• A ‘Freedom from Infection’ Certificate must be issued by the hospital prior to transportation. Your Funeral Director can arrange for this
The body of a deceased person cannot be released from the hospital until the death has been registered and you have been given the correct certificate by the Registrar. Funeral Directors collecting the body from the hospital must bring the correct documents with them.
Belongings
All belongings can be collected from the Ward.
If the deceased is wearing rings or any other items of jewellery when they are transferred to the mortuary, these will usually be left in place and the Funeral Director will return them to you.
Viewing arrangements at the Hospital Mortuary
We understand how important it is for families to spend time with their loved ones after they have passed. While we do our utmost to support viewing requests at the hospital mortuary, please be aware that it may not always be possible due to administrative or individual circumstances.
To ensure a respectful and coordinated process, all viewings must be arranged through the Bereavement Office. We kindly ask that ward staff do not promise viewings directly to relatives.
Viewing Availability
Viewings are available Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays). To arrange an appointment, please contact the Bereavement Office:
• Opening hours to arrange a viewing: 9:00am – 2:30pm
• Telephone: 01895 279354 (internal ext. 53354)
• Email: thh-tr.bereavement@nhs.net
Important Information About Viewings
• We are able to offer one viewing per deceased patient, lasting up to 30 minutes.
• A maximum of four visitors may attend.
• Visitors will be accompanied by a staff member throughout the visit.
• We kindly ask that no items be removed from the deceased during a viewing.
If you wish to arrange further visits, or collect personal items on the deceased, these can be organised through your chosen funeral director.
The Centre for Spiritual and Pastoral Care (Hospital Chaplaincy)
The hospital chaplains provide both religious and nonreligious spiritual and pastoral comfort and support for relatives and friends of the deceased. A chaplain is usually available in the hospital between 9.00am and 4.00pm, Monday to Friday. Chaplains can be contacted directly by telephoning 01895 279433.
Organ, Tissue and Body Donations
In most situations organ donation is not possible after someone has died. However, tissue and corneal donation may still be possible up to 48 hours after death and can benefit many recipients. If this is something that you would like further information on then please speak to a ward nurse or doctor who can contact the Tissue Co-ordinator.
Some people may have previously given their written consent and made arrangements for their body to be used for medical research and teaching purposes. If so, relatives should get in touch with the relevant medical school / anatomy organisation who will then liaise with the hospital staff.
Further information on body donation can be obtained by visiting www.hta.gov.uk
Arranging a Funeral
You can contact a Funeral Director 24 hours a day, including weekends. Your chosen Funeral Director can make the necessary arrangements and can also advise you on all the procedures and documents you will need as well as the timing of the funeral service. They will come to your house if you prefer. Your own Minister, Priest or religious leader and the Hospital Chaplaincy Service may also be of great help during this difficult time.
Most Funeral Directors belong to their National Association, which has regulations that must be followed. Patient Affairs can give you a list of local Funeral Directors.
Funerals are expensive although basic costs tend to be similar. However, the final cost can vary considerably. Do not be afraid to mention your budget. Financial help may be available if you receive benefits, or if the deceased has no next of kin. Contact the DWP before making any arrangements.
If the person who has died was a War Pensioner, you may be able to get a grant from:
If your husband, wife or civil partner has died you may be able to get a Bereavement Support Payment: a one-off, lumpsum payment which is tax-free. You may be able to claim a Bereavement Support Payment if:
• You were under state pension age when they died
• Your husband, wife or civil partner has paid enough
National Insurance contributions
• Your husband, wife or civil partner died as a result of an illness or accident caused by their job or working conditions
If you’re widowed you may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance, the taxable weekly benefit paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner.
You may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance if:
• Your husband, wife or civil partner had paid enough
National Insurance Contributions
• Your husband, wife or civil partner died as a result of an illness or accident caused by their job or working conditions
• You’re a widow, widower or surviving civil partner aged 45 or over when your husband, wife or civil partner died
• You’re under state pension age
• You’re not bringing up children
Widowed Parent’s Allowance
You might be able to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance if you’re widowed under State Pension age and have at least one dependent child.
You may also be able to claim if you’re pregnant and your husband has died, or you’re pregnant after fertility treatment and your civil partner has died.
You can get Widowed Parent’s Allowance until you stop being entitled to Child Benefit.
Funeral Payment
If you’re on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging, you may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund. You might have to repay some or all of it from the estate of the person who died. You may be eligible for a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund if you or your partner are in receipt of certain benefits or tax credits. This is only a guide. For further information and how to apply for bereavement benefits visit www.gov.uk or telephone the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012.
Who You Should Inform
Financial Organisations
• General insurance companies for home, car, travel or medical
• Private pension providers
• Life insurance companies
• Banks and building societies
• Mortgage provider
• Hire purchase or loan companies
• Credit card providers and any store cards
Utilities and household contacts
• Landlord or local authority if they rented a property
• Any private organisation / agency providing home help
• Utility companies if accounts were in the deceased’s name
• Royal Mail – if mail needs re-directing
• TV / internet companies with which the deceased had subscriptions
• Mobile phone contract provider
When you contact any of the above organisations, ask to be directed to their bereavement department so that you get to speak to the right person who can help you.
State Benefits
The Registrar of Births and Deaths will have given you a Notification of Death Certificate, which you need to take or send to the DWP office after you have filled it in. You will also need to send/take any of the deceased’s state pension paperwork as well as your own if you are a widow or widower. Further information is available in a DWP booklet ‘What to do after death in England and Wales (DWP1027)’ available from any DWP office or Patient Affairs.
Some advice you may find helpful
• Do try to talk about what happened with your family, a close friend or a sympathetic support group
• Don’t let anyone hurry you into making decisions until you are ready, especially with regard to funeral arrangements
• Someone within this group may be able to help you find a Funeral Director
• Explain to the Funeral Director if you only have a limited amount of money for the funeral. They will help and advise you
• Your local religious community may be of help to you at this time; don’t be afraid to contact them even if you are not a practising member
• Do take care of yourself; eat properly and try to rest
• Consult your family doctor who is there to help
• Take care not to enter into any financial arrangements that you do not understand
• Give yourself time to adjust to life without your loved one before making any major changes
• Do remember to contact any of the organisations mentioned overleaf if you require help or would like to talk through any difficulties
• We all grieve differently. You may have all sorts of mixed feelings and emotions. These can include numbness, panic, anger and deep despair. They are all normal feelings when you have been bereaved
• Give yourself time to work through your grief. It may take longer than you think
• Do seek the support of friends, family or a caring organisation. This booklet includes some numbers of caring organisations who can offer help and support.
Stopping Junk Mail to the recently deceased
If someone you know has died, the amount of unwanted marketing post being sent to them can be greatly reduced which helps to stop painful daily reminders.
By registering with the free service www.stopmail.co.uk the names and addresses of the deceased are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as six weeks. If you cannot access the internet you can call 0333 006 8114, where you will be asked for very simple information that will take only a few minutes to complete. Alternatively, ask the bereavement team for a leaflet that can be returned in the post.
This free of charge service provided by the Bereavement Support Network will actively reduce the unwanted marketing mail but also can help reduce the likelihood of identity theft following the death of someone close. The information is not used for any other purpose and you only have to complete this once. Additionally to Stop Mail a comparable service can also be accessed from the Bereavement Register or Deceased Preference Service if you would prefer to use them.
Advice and Support Organisations
Harlington Hospice
Services for people at the end of their lives and support families with bereavement and loss.
Lansdowne House, St Peters Way, Harlington, Hayes UB3 5AB
Telephone: 020 8759 0453
Hillingdon for All (H4all)
Support for older people.
Key House, 106 High Street, Yiewsley, West Drayton UB7 7BQ
Telephone: 01895 543434
Hillingdon Mind
Mental health support & counselling.
40 New Windsor Street, Uxbridge UB8 2TU
Telephone: 01895 271559
Age UK Hillingdon
Support for older people.
2 Chapel Court, Hayes UB3 2LW
Telephone: 020 8756 3040
Bell Farm Christian Centre
Advice, information and care services.
South Road, West Drayton UB7 9LW
Telephone: 01895 444406
Bereavement Care and Support
Support for adults and children through bereavement.
The Lodge, 64 Pinner Road, Harrow HA1 4HZ
Telephone: 020 8427 5720
Carers Trust Hillingdon
Support for unpaid carers.
126 High Street, Uxbridge UB8 1JT
Telephone: 01895 811206
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Colonnade, Civic Centre, Uxbridge UB8 1UW
Telephone: 0808 278 7893
Communicare Counselling Service
Counselling, including bereavement support.
Redford Way, Uxbridge UB8 1SZ
Telephone: 01895 256056
Cruse Bereavement Support
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
EACH Counselling and Support
Working with BME and diverse communities across West London.
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.
Please note, whilst information is correct at the time of publication, this may be subject to future change.
STOPPING JUNK MAIL
When somebody close to us dies it can be a very stressful and confusing time. When faced with dealing with an estate if you are either named as an Executor in a Will or you are next of kin you are likely to come across lots of unfamiliar processes and terminologies and this can be quite daunting and confusing.
Our Probate solicitors can assist with as much or as little of the process as you like. We can simply get a Grant of Probate for you, or you can pass all of your executor duties on to us. We can guide you through Probate as quickly and easily as possible, supporting you in your role as executor and making sure that the deceased’s estate is handled as they wished.
How we can help
We can help with and advise on any of these duties including:
� Applying for a Grant of Probate
� Investigating and valuing the estate
� Collecting estate funds
� Filling out income and inheritance tax returns and paying any tax due
� Paying creditors
� Selling or transferring ownership of property
� Distributing funds and assets according to the Will
