In Hospital

If your loved one dies in hospital, the attending physician will confirm the death. They will share the details with the medical examiner to review.
The hospital will contact the next of kin unless already present; if this is you, then the circumstances of your loved one’s death should be explained to you.
If there are any questions relating to the cause of death, such as if it is sudden or unexpected, the death will be referred to the coroner. Please visit our ‘Sudden or Unexpected Death’ tab for information on the process in this case.
Choose a funeral director such as Frederick Butcher and Son are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01909 562365
Unless the death is being referred to the coroner, we will be able to collect your loved one from the hospital and care for them until the day of the funeral. We will assist you with funeral planning, support you with completing paperwork, and clarify legal procedures.
At this point, you may want to inform family members and close friends. Surrounding yourself with a good support network during this time can be helpful.
Within a few days of the death, the Medical Examiner’s office will contact you by phone to explain what the cause of death will be recorded as, or if a Coroner referral is required. You will have the opportunity to raise any questions about the cause of death or care received.
Provided a Coroner referral is not required, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be sent to the register office local to the place of death.
The hospital bereavement team will then call you to let you know the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been sent to the register office. Call your local register office and make an appointment to register the death. This usually has to be done within 5 days.
Start to plan for the funeral. You can begin to make the funeral arrangements before you have registered the death.
We are always available to discuss any needs you may have.