When someone dies
We understand that when a loved one passes away this can be a stressful time for the family and we would like to help you understand the procedure of what happens next as well as pass on our condolences.
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death will be emailed to the Registrar and does not need to be collected from the surgery
WHEN PATIENTS PASS AWAY
If the passing is an expected death the following will happen:
The patient's death has to be verified, and this can be done by our doctors, district nurses, out of hours doctors, or if they are in a nursing home one of the nursing staff qualified to verify.
We will need to know the next of kin details, who the preferred undertaker is (at this stage you may contact any undertaker to look after your loved one and then later change your mind) and also if known at this stage, and whether the funeral would be a burial or cremation, though we can be informed of this at a later time.
Once the death has been verified, we then have to complete a form, whereby our doctor will specify what they believe to be the cause of death and this form is then sent to the Medical Examiner along with a summary of the last six months of the patient’s records.
The Medical Examiner will then scrutinise the form, and at this stage they may or may not be in touch with the patients next of kin, so please be aware you may receive a call.
Once the Medical Examiner has finished scrutinising the information, they will communicate this back to ourselves, and our doctor will then issue the medical Certificate for Cause of Death and the cremation form if appropriate.
We will then send these documents to the registrar, along with next of kin details and the undertaker, and then will be in touch with the next of kin to advise that you may now make an appointment to register the death.
To register the death please go online: Register a death - Lancashire County Council to make an appointment to do so, this will also give you information about what you are required to take to any appointment made. Please note that you are unable to do this until we have sent the information over to them.
You are able to register the death at any of the Registry offices in Lancashire and not the one nearest to where your family member lived Find a registration office - Lancashire County Council
For any deaths that are unexpected, or deaths whereby the patient hasn't recently been seen by a general practitioner from the surgery - please be advised that this may have to be reported to the coroner, and feel free to contact us for more information.
When contacting the surgery regarding any deaths, please ask for either Sam, Tracy or Layla who will be happy to assist you.
The Registrar’s Office
When you go to register the death, you will need to take some information with you with regards to the deceased, this is:
The date and place of death
Full name and surname/family name
Date and place of birth of the deceased
Address, including postcode of the deceased
The last full-time occupation of the deceased and whether retired
Date and place of birth of surviving spouse/civil partner
If the deceased was a married woman or a civil partner the maiden name/family name
The husband/wife/civil partners name, even if deceased
The husband/wife/civil partners last occupation and whether retired
This information will form an entry in the Death register
You may also be asked for the reference number of any occupational pension paid out of public funds (apart from the state retirement pension).
After registering the death, the Registrar will give you:
A green form to hand to the Funeral Director
A white form to send to the Social Security Office (BD8) or a Tell Us Once (TUO) reference number
The Registrar will issue copies of the Death Certificate for £11 each – Please ensure all spellings an identification details are accurate on the certificate at the time of registration as any amendments can incur a correction fee of up to £9
‘Tell us Once’ Service
‘Tell us Once’ brings together several organisations, see list below, so that people do not need to notify them individually of the death.
To use ‘Tell Us Once’ the death must already have been registered. The Registrar will give you the information about the service when you go to register the death:
Department for Works and Pensions (DWP)
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Local Authorities
Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
Identity and Passport Service (IPS)
They DO NOT inform the following organisations:
Royal Mail
Utilities
TV Licensing
Bank/Building Society
Library Cards/Season Tickets
Insurance companies
Rental companies
A Coroner’s Authorisation
If a death is referred to the Coroner, a representative working for the coroner will need to contact you to prepare a report relating to the person’s medical history. This is standard procedure and should not cause you any alarm.
In certain circumstances the Coroner may authorise the doctor to issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) without the need for a post-mortem. This will be explained to you by the Coroners Officer. A death cannot be registered until the Registrar has received written clearance from the Coroner
A Coroner’s post-mortem
The Coroner may decide that a post mortem is required (your consent is not required, and you are unable to refuse it). Once the post-mortem has been completed, you will receive advice from the Coroner’s Office of when and how to register the death. The process usually takes a few days.
Preston Coroner’s Office – 01772 536536
Viewing the deceased
When the person has been taken to a funeral home, please contact the Funeral Director to arrange a viewing
Funeral Arrangements
The Funeral Director of your choice will advise you of the options and discuss with you the arrangements you wish to make. The funeral is your opportunity to say goodbyes in a way that is appropriate for you and the person who has died. You may wish to choose who might lead the service (not necessarily a Minister of Religion), certain music or readings, and you or other relatives or friends may wish to take part in the service. Take time to consider the possibilities.
Financial Assistance
Benefit advice about Funeral Grants (payable to the responsible person if in receipt of qualifying benefits) may be obtained from The Social Fund – Tel 0800 169 0140 during office hours or visit the website Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment): How it works - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Pension/Allowance Arrangements
Any queries regarding pensions and allowances can be directed to the Pension Service – 0800 731 7898 Monday – Friday 0800-2000 or visit
Funeral Payment Department
You will need to complete form SF200 available form your local Job Centre Plus office or visit Benefits and financial support when someone dies - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
NHS equipment
Please return NHS equipment to the Loan Store it was issued from or telephone 01772 286573 for collection
Wheelchairs issued by Preston Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) need to be returned to them
Please call 01772 716921 to arrange collection
Any syringe drivers need to be returned to the District Nurses if not already
Any medication can be taken to a local pharmacy for destruction
If you need any further help, please contact us and we will do our best to try and help you
Advice and Support: Some Options for you
Bereavement Support Network
Probate, Tax & Benefits Helpline 0808 168 9607
Citizens Advice Bureau
Town Hall, The Annexe, Birley St, Preston PR1 2QE – 0300 330 1172
CRUSE Bereavement Care
Local: 01772 686668
National Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email@ lancashire@cruse.org.uk www.cruse.org.uk
N-Compass
Advocacy and carers support
www.ncompassnorthwest.co.uk 0345 013 8208
Samaritans
11 Wilfred St, Preston PR1 2US
0330 094 5717
Stop Mail
A free of charge service to stop unwanted junk mail to the deceased
0808 168 9607
WAY – Widowed and Young
www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/
WAY offers support & friendship for men and women up to the age of 50 whose husband, wife or partner has died
Bereavement Centre, Royal Preston Hospital
Support for patients and families
Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 9HT / bereavement@lthtr.nhs.uk / 01772 523730
Please see this poster for the Bereavement Cafe which is a warm, friendly and safe place for grieving people to connect with others and find comfort, they meet in St.Margaret's Church on Tag Lane, every 2nd Weds of the month 2pm-3.30pm please feel free to attend.
The Bereavement Journey, Christ Church
Six-week course led by a Lay Minister and a vicar. Topics covered include attachment, separation and loss; the impact and pain of bereavement; adjusting to change; anger and guilt; coping with others’ reactions; and moving on healthily. There is an optional sixth session on Faith questions. Open to all.
Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8NE / christchurchpreston@gmail.com More details here
Childhood deaths
https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/
Blackpool and Preston Sands
Sands supports anyone affected by pregnancy loss and the death of a baby and offers understanding and comfort. Monthly meetings (held in Blackpool) are a chance for anyone who has been effected by the death of a baby to be able to talk, share and listen to others in a safe environment with people who understand.
blackpoolpreston@sandsvolunteer.org.uk / More details here
Home – The Good Grief Trust
The Good Grief Trust are a registered charity that are there to help and support you and your family when you have lost a loved one
They are Gone
You can shed tears that they are gone
Or you can smile because they lived
You can close your eyes and pray that they will come back
Or you can open your eyes and see all that they have left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see them
Or you can be full of love that you shared
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday
You can remember them and only that they are gone
Or you can cherish their memory and let it live on
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
Or you can do what they would ant: smile, open your eyes, love, and go on
(Anon)
“Memories are the loveliest thing
They last from day to day
They can’t get lost
They don’t wear out
And can’t be given away”
(Anon)