Complete guide to hospital death procedures, bereavement offices, and collecting belongings and documentation.
This guide is part of ProbateHelp's First Steps guide cluster.
Also searched as: dies in hospital.
You choose. The hospital will release the body to whichever funeral director you instruct. If you do not have one in mind, the bereavement office can give you a list of local directors, but they will not make the choice for you. Take your time — there is no rush to decide on the day.
In England and Wales, wait for the medical examiner’s office to confirm that registration can go ahead, then register within 5 days of that confirmation. The 5 days include weekends and bank holidays. If you need longer, tell the register office immediately. Ask the ward or bereavement service about local weekend contact arrangements.
Ask the ward which belongings can be returned, who is authorised to collect them, what identification is needed and when collection is available. The ward or bereavement service should explain its local process and any separate arrangements for valuables.
Not necessarily. A doctor must notify the coroner when a prescribed circumstance applies, including an unknown cause or specified circumstances such as violence, poisoning, neglect or a death related to treatment. A notification does not by itself show that anyone was at fault. Raise care concerns with the medical examiner’s office and ask the hospital about its complaint route; in England, PALS can explain local support.
Ask the bereavement service whether a hospital viewing can be arranged, who may attend and whether any condition or charge applies. Availability can depend on the hospital, the condition of the person and coroner involvement. After release, ask the funeral director about its arrangements.
The funeral director normally coordinates collection with the hospital. Ask the hospital and funeral director what authority or form they require and how it must be provided. They will tell you whether anyone needs to attend.
You can raise questions or concerns when the medical examiner’s office offers to speak with you. Also ask the hospital how to use its complaint or patient-safety process. In England, PALS can explain local support; after completing the relevant NHS complaint process, the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman may be a further route. Different arrangements apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.