Useful contact details Switchboard 0208 510 5555
Ward name:...................................................................................................................... Ward telephone number:........................................................................................ Name of ward sister/lead nurse:.......................................................................
Bereavement Administrator 0208 510 7150
Foreword This booklet provides information and guidance for relatives and carers following a bereavement. We hope that its contents are of help to you. It has been divided into two parts. •
Part one gives advice on the immediate practical tasks that need to be undertaken following a bereavement.
•
Part two gives information on bereavement and grief, with contact numbers and advice for ongoing support for you and your family.
Hospital staff are here to help you in any way we can. We will try to answer your questions and want to offer you the support you need.
Contents Part 1: Immediate practical tasks
1
A: Bereavement Office & Medical Examiner
1
B: Registering the death
5
C: The Coroner, sudden deaths and post-mortems
8
D: Tissue Donation
10
What you need to do Personal belongings Informing the GP Viewing your loved one Multi-faith Chaplaincy Team
Who can register the death? Information required by the Registrars Documents you will receive from the Registrar The Death Certificate
The role of the Coroner Sudden deaths in the A&E department Coroner’s post-mortem Hospital post-mortem
3 3 4 4 4
5 6 6 7
8 9 9 9
E:
Funeral arrangements
12
Arranging the funeral Paying for the funeral Repatriation
12 13 14
Part 2: Further support
15
A: Organisations which may be of help
15
Information and advice Emotional support, counselling and mental health Children and young people
B: List of local Funeral Directors
15 18 21
23
Part 1: Immediate practical tasks A: Bereavement Office & Medical Examiner We understand that this is a very distressing time for you and that there are many things that you will now have to organise. We hope that the guidance given here will make things easier for you. The hospital’s Bereavement staff are available to offer help and advice to guide you through the next few days, and to ensure that the practical arrangements are handled in a sensitive and timely manner. Hospital staff are aware that every loss is unique and that everybody grieves differently. Staff are also aware of the particular religious needs of the larger faith-groups in Hackney and will try to respond with utmost diligence and care. Before a death can be registered, a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) must be completed by a doctor. The Bereavement staff will ensure that this is completed as soon as possible. The Medical Examiner is a senior doctor who was not involved in the care of your loved one. The Medical Examiner provides an independent review of the cause of death and whether a coroner referral is needed.
1
The cause of death will be written on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). The Medical Examiner and their staff can explain what the medical language means and make it easy for you to understand. They will ask you whether you have any questions or concerns about the cause of death, or about the care the person received before their death. This will usually be through a telephone call, or sometimes a meeting. If there are issues with care that need further investigation, the Medical Examiner will refer these to someone who can do this. As well as answering your questions, this can help the NHS provide better care for other patients and carers in future. In some situations, the hospital cannot issue the MCCD and has to refer to the Coroner. For more details please refer to page 8.
2
What you need to do Please telephone the Bereavement Office on 0208 510 7150 between 10am and 3.30pm Monday - Friday. The office is closed at weekends and on bank holidays. The Bereavement staff will wait for you to contact them when you feel ready to do so. Please do not come to the hospital unless you have been told to by Bereavement staff. The Bereavement staff will explain: • the process for obtaining the paperwork required for registering the death with Hackney Registrars • the process for arranging an appointment with Hackney Registrars • the paperwork you will receive from the Registrars When you feel ready, you can start making funeral arrangements by contacting a Funeral Director of your choice. This can be done before or after your appointment with the Registrar. Please see page 12 for further details.
Personal belongings You need to be a relative to be able to collect the deceased’s personal belongings. Please contact the Property Office on 0208 510 7240 / 7241 to make arrangements.
3
Informing the GP The Bereavement Administrator will write to the deceased patient’s GP (family doctor) to inform them of the death.
Viewing your loved one When a patient dies in the hospital, they will be taken to the mortuary where they will remain until they are collected by the Funeral Director. The Viewing Room is situated in the Bereavement Suite. Viewings can be arranged if specifically requested. You can either discuss this with the Bereavement staff or liaise directly with the Mortuary Officer on 0208 510 7041. Outside of office hours, you are advised to contact the ward where the patient was last cared for, who will be able to advise whether they are able to accommodate a viewing out-of-hours. You will, of course, also be able to pay your last respects at the Funeral Director’s Chapel of Rest, where they have specialist facilities. Please discuss this with the Funeral Director when you are making the funeral arrangements.
Multi-faith Chaplaincy Team: providing spiritual and religious support Chaplains are faith-leaders from various faiths and denominations, who are appointed by the hospital to offer emotional support to people of all faiths and none. Chaplains can also offer religious guidance and advice after a patient has died. For non-religious guidance, there is also a Humanist chaplain available within the team. If you are feeling distressed and think it would help for a Chaplain to be alongside you, please let any member of staff know, or contact the Chaplains directly on 0208 510 7773. 4
B: Registering the death The Bereavement staff will explain the process for arranging an appointment with the Registrar. Please do not make arrangements for the registration until you have been informed the paperwork is ready. All deaths must be registered at the Registry Office in the borough where the person died. All deaths that occur at Homerton University Hospital must be registered at: Registration Services Hackney Service Centre 1 Hillman Street London E8 1DY Phone: 0208 356 3355 Email: registrars@hackney.gov.uk Website: www.hackney.gov.uk/deaths Please telephone 0208 356 3355 for opening hours, particularly at weekends and public holidays. The Hackney Service Centre is situated directly behind Hackney Town Hall.
Who can register the death? A death can be registered by a relative of the deceased, by someone who was present at the death, or by the person responsible for making the funeral arrangements (not the Funeral Director).
5
Information required by the Registrars • • • • • •
Full name of the deceased (including maiden name if this applies) Date and place of death Date and place of birth Address Last occupation (including if retired) If married, the full name, date of birth and occupation of any surviving widow or widower
Documents you will receive from the Registrar • • •
•
Death Certificates – more details provided on the next page. A Certificate of Registration of Death will be provided; Form BD8 (white form). This can be used by a spouse to claim bereavement benefits. A ‘Tell Us Once’ leaflet. This contains a telephone number, which you can call to cancel all government related services, such as DWP (Department for Work and Pensions), HMRC (HM Revenue and Customs) and HM Passport Office etc. A Certificate of Burial or Cremation known as the Form 14 (green form). This can be sent directly to the Funeral Director if you have already made arramgements.
6
The Death Certificate •
The Death Certificate is an official copy of the entry in the Death Register.
•
There is a fee for each Death Certificate. You can only pay by credit or debit card. Additional certificates may be purchased at a later date.
Death Certificates might be needed for: •
banks/building societies
•
insurance companies
•
premium bonds
•
private pensions
•
housing associations
7
C: The Coroner, sudden deaths and post-mortems The role of the Coroner In certain situations the hospital cannot issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), but has to refer the death to the Coroner. The Coroner is a doctor or lawyer responsible for investigating deaths in any of the following circumstances: •
an accident or injury
•
an industrial disease
•
if a patient dies during surgery or before recovering from an anaesthetic
•
if the cause of death is unknown
•
if the death may have been related to a medical procedure or treatment
•
if the death is unnatural or suspicious
In many of these cases the Coroner may be the only person who can certify the cause of death. Often the Coroner will need examinations to be carried out on the body to explain the cause of death. This may include a post-mortem examination. As these investigations are not carried out at the hospital, the Coroner will arrange for the patient to be moved to another mortuary. The Coroner’s decisions are legally binding, which means that the hospital has to fully comply. The Coroner’s Officers will make direct contact with the next-of-kin to answer questions and provide guidance. The Coroner’s Officers will also issue all of the paperwork, instead of the hospital. 8
Sudden deaths in the A&E department Often, when patients die in the Emergency Department, their death is unexpected or unexplained and may therefore need to be referred to the Coroner. The doctor referring the death will seek senior guidance – usually during the next working day – as to whether or not they can issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If not, the Coroner may ask the GP (family doctor) to complete the certificate or they may wish to investigate the death further. Please read the section on “The role of the Coroner”, page 8 and the chapter on “Post-mortem examinations”, below. The staff of the Emergency Department can be contacted on 0208 510 7573 or 0208 510 7125, and are available to you 24 hours a day. Please ring this number if you have any unanswered questions.
Coroner’s post-mortem A Coroner’s post-mortem examination is performed by an independent pathologist, who has been instructed by the Coroner to establish the cause of death. In certain circumstances, this type of post-mortem is a legal requirement and will not need the bereaved family’s consent. The next-ofkin cannot prevent a Coroner’s post-mortem, even if it conflicts with the family’s faith-tradition.
Hospital post-mortem A doctor may ask relatives for a hospital post-mortem, if they feel that additional information can be gained. This postmortem is not compulsory and relatives have the right to refuse. If the relatives agree, a doctor will explain to them, in detail, what a hospital post-mortem entails and will require written consent. A hospital post-mortem can also be requested by the relatives of the deceased. Please discuss this with Bereavement staff if you would like to explore this option. 9
D: Tissue donation Most people are aware that hundreds of lives are saved every year by donated organs, such as hearts and kidneys. Many people do not realise that donated tissues such as skin, bone, and heart valves can dramatically improve the quality of life for others, and even save them. As many as 50 people can be helped from the donation of one person.
Which tissues can be donated? Eyes: Eyes can help restore sight to people with cornea problems (the clear part of the eye). This may be a result of damage caused by eye disease or injury, or defects from birth, and the white part of the eye (the sclera) can be used in operations to rebuild the eye. Heart valves: Heart valves can be transplanted to save the lives of children born with heart defects, and adults with damaged heart valves. Skin: Skin can be used as a natural dressing, helping to treat people with serious burns. This can save lives by stopping infections, can help to reduce scarring and reduces pain. Bone: Bone is important for people receiving artificial joint replacements, or replacing bone that has been removed due to illness or injury. It helps reduce pain and improve mobility. Tendons: Tendons, the elastic-like cords that attach bones and muscles to each other, can be donated to help rebuild damaged joints, which helps people move more easily.
10
Can we choose which tissues to donate? Yes. Only those tissues for which you have given permission will be donated. Is there an age limit to tissue donation? There are no age restrictions for bone, skin and eyes. However, heart valves and tendons can only be donated up to the age of 60. Can anyone become a tissue donor? Almost anyone can be considered for tissue donation, however, there are some rare exemptions. To ensure that all donated tissues are safe, the donor’s medical and lifestyle history is assessed similar to blood donors, to protect the person receiving the tissue from infection. How long after death can tissue be donated? The best time is within 24 hours after someone has died. However, sometimes it is possible to donate up to 48 hours after death. For further information and advice, please contact Tissues National Referral Centre 0800 432 0559.
11
E: Funeral arrangements Arranging the funeral A list of local Funeral Directors can be found within this booklet. Funeral Directors are employed to make all of the arrangements for the funeral, on the instruction of the family. It is not essential to employ a Funeral Director. Some families choose to arrange the funeral themselves, however, please be aware there are strict guidelines which must be followed. You can start making the funeral arrangements, as soon as you feel able to. If you choose to appoint a Funeral Director, they will: •
help you make all necessary arrangements and liaise between the various organisations, such as the cemetery/crematorium and hospital.
•
ensure all the correct paperwork is issued, so that the funeral can be held.
•
discuss the funeral service with you. They will map out your options and choices and associated costs.
•
help you appoint a faith-leader or non-religious celebrant to lead the service.
12
Paying for the funeral The cost of a funeral can vary a lot. Before making any arrangements you should check how the funeral will be paid for. The deceased may have contributed to a scheme or policy. They may have savings, a prepaid funeral plan or life insurance policies. It is a good idea to contact more than one Funeral Director to get an idea of the cost of a funeral. Do not be afraid to discuss with the Funeral Director ways of reducing costs. You might be able to seek financial help if you are receiving: •
Income Support
•
Jobseeker’s Allowance
•
Employment and Support Allowance
•
Working Tax Credit (disability element)
•
Child Tax Credit
•
Pension Credit
•
Housing Benefit
•
Universal Credit
To apply, call 0800 151 2012 or visit www.gov.uk/funeral-payments
13
Repatriation If you wish to repatriate the body (move the body to another country for the funeral), it is vital that you discuss this with the Bereavement Office staff, the Registrar, and also an Undertaker, as various additional papers have to be issued. Most commonly, a “Free from Infection” (FFI) document has to be issued by the hospital, for which there is a fee, and an “Out of England” Order must be issued by the Coroner. The “Out of England” Order can take up to four working days to be produced by the Coroner.
14
Part 2: Further Support The death of someone who was important to you is one of the hardest experiences you will have in your life. There are no right and wrong reactions to death. We all need to grieve in our own time and way. For some this might mean crying but others may express their grief in different ways. You may find that you are experiencing a whole variety of unexpected thoughts, feelings and sometimes physical symptoms. If you are feeling concerned about yourself or others, it is a good idea to contact your GP (family doctor).
A: Organisations which may be of help We have listed some organisations who might be helpful for you during this difficult time.
Information and advice Age UK Information and advice on a range of topics for the over 60s www.ageuk.org.uk 0800 678 1602 Benefits and financial support www.gov.uk/browse/benefits Bereavement Support Network Advice regarding funerals, probate, tax benefits and preventing junk mail to the deceased. www.bereavementsupport.co.uk 0333 240 0360 15
Citizens Advice Bureau Advice on range of issues, including housing, welfare, debt and more www.citizensadvice.org.uk 0800 144 8848 Coroner’s Office 0207 538 1201 Down to Earth Support and guidance in planning an affordable funeral, for those in financial need www.quakersocialaction.org.uk/we-can-help/helping-funerals/ down-earth 0208 983 5055 Dying Matters Raising awareness of dying, death and bereavement www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters Funeral Payments (SF200) You may qualify for help towards the cost of a funeral if you are on a low income www.gov.uk/funeral-payments 0800 151 2012 Hackney Council Registering a death, ordering copies of death certificates, protection of property www.hackney.gov.uk/deaths Inheritance Tax www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax
16
Macmillan Cancer Support Information, practical advice and support related to cancer www.macmillan.org.uk 0808 808 0000 National Association of Funeral Directors Find a funeral director who is a member of NAFD www.nafd.org.uk 0121 711 1343 National Society of Allied & Independent Funeral Directors Find a funeral director who is a member of SAIF www.saif.org.uk 01279 726777 NHS Choices Symptoms, conditions, medicines, treatments and access to local services www.nhs.uk 111 (24 hours, non-emergency) NHS Organ Donation Register Information about organ donation and register to donate your organs www.organdonation.nhs.uk 0300 123 2323 Stop Mail Helping to stop unwanted mail being sent to the address of the deceased www.stopmail.co.uk 0333 006 8114 Wills, Probate and Inheritance www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate
17
Emotional support, counselling and mental health Asian Family Counselling Service Aimed at all members of the South Asian communities aged over 16 www.asianfamilycounselling.org 0208 574 0912 British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy Resource for finding a therapist or counsellor near you www.bacp.co.uk 01455 88 3300 CCIWBS Camden City Islington & Westminster Bereavement Service Counselling service for residents of Camden and Islington. www.bereavement-counselling.org 0207 284 0090 City and East London Bereavement Service Counselling service for individuals and couples resident in Tower Hamlets www.celbs.org.uk 0203 022 5177
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Counselling Directory Find a counsellor or psychotherapist near you www.counselling-directory.org.uk 0333 325 2500 Cruse Bereavement Care Support, advice and information for children, young people and adults when someone dies www.cruse.org.uk 0808 808 1677 Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service Bereavement counselling for children and adults from the entire spectrum of Jewish practice and observance www.jbcs.org.uk 0208 951 3881 London Friend Counselling services for the LGB&T community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans) www.londonfriend.org.uk/counselling/ Marie Curie Cancer Care Care, guidance and support for those living with a terminal illness, and their families www.mariecurie.org.uk 0800 090 2309 Mind Infoline Information on a range of topics relating to mental health www.mind.org.uk 0300 123 3393
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Samaritans Free 24 hour phone line to talk about anything that is troubling you www.samaritans.org 116 123 St. Joseph’s Hospice Bereavement Service Bereavement counselling and support available to residents of Hackney, City of London and Islington who are aged 18 and over www.stjh.org.uk/our-care/counselling-and-advice/ bereavement-service/ 0300 303 0400 The Good Grief Trust Run by the bereaved to raise awareness of the impact of grief and to bring bereavement services together www.thegoodgrieftrust.org Victim Support Emotional support and practical information for anyone affected by a crime committed against themselves or someone they know www.victimsupport.org.uk 0808 168 9111 WAY Widowed & Young Peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday www.widowedandyoung.org.uk 0300 201 0051 Way Up Self-help group and support network for those widowed in their 50s and 60s www.way-up.co.uk 20
Children and young people Child Bereavement UK Support and information for families when a baby or child dies, or when a child is facing bereavement www.childbereavementuk.org 0800 028 8840 Child Death Helpline Helpline staffed by bereaved parents for anyone affected by the death of a child www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk 0800 282 986 City and Hackney Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) Services for children and young people with mental health problems www.cityandhackneycamhs.org.uk Hope Again Support, advice and signposting service for young people who have lost a loved one www.hopeagain.org.uk 0808 808 1677 Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) Emotional support and information for anybody affected by the death of a baby before, during, or shortly after birth www.sands.org.uk 0808 164 3332
21
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) Support and information for bereaved parents and their families after a child dies www.tcf.org.uk 0345 123 2304 Winston’s Wish Support and information for children following a bereavement, and for those caring for a bereaved child www.winstonswish.org 0808 802 0021
22
B: Funeral Directors The list below has been compiled as a helpful guide to funeral directors in Hackney and the surrounding boroughs. Further information about these and other funeral directors can be found on the internet. African Caribbean Funeral Services: 0207 275 0175 99 Stoke Newington Church Street N16 0UD M. M. Broad & Son: 12 Woodside Lane N12 8RG
0208 108 5118
Brooks Funerals: 16-18 Church Hill Road EN4 8TB
0208 441 6062
Carmel Funeral Services (Jewish): 5 Fairholt Road N16 5EN
0208 880 1655
Chandu Tailor & Son (Sikh and Hindu): 13 Lower Park Road N11 1QD
0208 361 6151
Co-operative Funeralcare: 191A Mare Street E8 3QE
0208 985 5861
T. Cribb & Sons: 46 Dalston Lane E8 3AH
0208 023 9173
Co-operative Funeralcare: 0204 586 2938 80 Chatsworth Road, Lower Clapton E5 0LS W. English & Son: 0208 131 7096 209 Lower Clapton Road, Lower Clapton E5 8EG Haji Taslim (Muslim): 96 Whitechapel Road E1 1JQ
23
0207 247 2625
James Hawes & Goodchild: 216 Well Street E9 6QT
0208 108 1177
Leverton & Sons: 212 Eversholt Street NW1 1BD
0207 387 6075
W. G. Miller: 93-95 Essex Road N1 2SJ
0207 226 3886
A & C Tadman: 452 Bethnal Green Road E2 0EA
0207 739 5182
The Heartfelt Funeral Company: 132 Snakes Lane East IG8 7HZ
0203 750 2532
Thereafter Funeral Services: 109 Pembury Road N17 8LY
0333 733 0224
Disclaimer The Trust is not affiliated to any of the funeral directors listed and is not responsible for the services provided.
24
Disclaimer Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust does not guarantee nor endorse the advertisers contained herein and accepts no responsibility for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the advertisements.
26
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This publication has been jointly developed Our free service will help stop unwanted between ourselves and the hospital. We mail to the recently deceased, simply hope that it has been or will be of help at scan the below QR code on your phone this time and we welcome any comments ororvisit the website below. suggestions that you may have. Please contact us either by phone, email or bereavement by post. support network stop mail here to help
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Do you need help with
Probate? You may need help, support or advice on what to do when someone dies in relation to probate. It may not always appear obvious if it will be required.
Call: 0333 240 0360 We offer free guidance on the legal and financial aspects of bereavement including your responsibilities and whether probate is required. You may need to establish whether a property is held in joint names or tenants in common, we can perform a simple check at no cost to establish the title deeds. This service is provided by
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Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) PALS can provide information and support to patients and carers and will listen to your concerns, suggestions or queries. The service is available between 9am and 5pm. 0208 510 7315 07584 445 400 huh-tr.pals.service@nhs.net
If you require this information in other languages, large print, audio or Braille please telephone the Patient Information Team on 0208 510 5302, text: 07584 445 400 or email: huh-tr.patientinformation@nhs.net Produced by: Bereavement Service Corporate
Homerton Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Homerton Row, London E9 6SR 0208 510 5555 www.homerton.nhs.uk huh-tr.enquiries@nhs.net Review date: May 2025 Next review: May 2027 Printed: April 2026
Published by RNS Publications © Tel: 01253 832400 R11