What happens in the hospital first
When a death occurs in hospital, the medical staff will confirm it and care for your loved one straight away. If you weren’t present, you will be contacted and given time to come in if you wish. Many families choose to spend some quiet time with their loved one, and the staff will help arrange this.
Your loved one will then be cared for in the hospital, often in the mortuary, until you decide on the next steps. There’s no need to rush any decision. The hospital will not ask you to arrange anything immediately, and you can take the time you need to contact family and gather your thoughts before anything else happens.
What to do when someone dies in hospital next
The hospital’s bereavement office is your main point of contact in the days that follow, and the ward staff will usually put you in touch with them. The bereavement office guides families through the practical steps, explains the paperwork, and answers the questions that naturally arise.
They will let you know when the medical certificate of cause of death is ready and how it will be provided, as hospital death procedures can vary between hospitals and areas across the UK. Once you have the necessary paperwork, you can register the death and continue with the funeral arrangements. If you would like to understand the choices ahead in the meantime, the Your Funeral Options Explained page is a calm place to look.
Collecting belongings and paperwork
The bereavement office will also help you collect your loved one’s belongings and any documents you need. It’s worth asking them what to expect and when, so nothing catches you by surprise. Taking a friend or relative with you to these conversations can help, as grief makes it hard to take everything in.
If there is anything you don’t understand, ask the staff to explain it again. They deal with these situations every day and will not mind. There are no foolish questions at a time like this.
There are no foolish questions at a time like this.
- By Terry Tennens, Chief Executive, SAIF
When to contact a funeral director
You can contact a funeral director as soon as you feel ready. There is no fixed point at which you must do so. Because your loved one is being cared for by the hospital, you often have a little more time than you might with a death at home. Use that time to choose a funeral director you trust rather than the first name you find.
The funeral director will liaise with the hospital to bring your loved one into their care once the paperwork is complete. They will also guide you through registering the death and planning the funeral itself. A caring, independent director will never pressure you, and if cost is a concern you should say so early. You can find a trusted member near you on the Find a Local Funeral Director page.
Looking after yourself afterwards
A hospital death can carry its own particular weight, whether it followed a long illness or came suddenly. However it happened, be patient with yourself in the days that follow. The practical steps will get done, and you don’t have to carry them all at once.
Support is there for the grief as well as the paperwork. Bereavement charities, counsellors and your GP can all help, and a funeral director can point you towards local services. The Bereavement Support and Advice pages are a good starting point, and you can ask any question through the Contact and FAQs page.
Frequently asked questions
What happens when someone dies in hospital?
Hospital staff confirm the death and care for your loved one, usually in the mortuary, until you decide on next steps. The bereavement office then guides you through the paperwork, including the medical certificate, so you can register the death and arrange the funeral.
What is a hospital bereavement office?
The bereavement office is the department that supports families after a death in hospital. It explains the paperwork, helps you collect belongings, arranges the medical certificate and answers your practical questions.
How soon do you need to arrange a funeral after a hospital death?
There is no need to rush. Your loved one is cared for by the hospital, so you can take time to choose a funeral director you trust and to contact family before making arrangements.
Do you have to register a death that happens in hospital?
Yes. As with any death, it usually must be registered within a set period, and the hospital bereavement office or register office will explain the timeframe and process where you are.
When should I contact a funeral director after a death in hospital?
You can contact a funeral director as soon as you feel ready. They will liaise with the hospital and bring your loved one into their care once the paperwork is complete, then guide you through the arrangements.
Key takeaways
- Hospital staff confirm the death and care for your loved one, so much of the first stage is handled for you.
- The bereavement office is your main contact, guiding you through paperwork, belongings and the medical certificate.
- There is no need to rush, which gives you time to choose a funeral director you trust rather than the first you find.
- You will usually need to register the death within a set period, and the bereavement or register office will explain how.
- Support for grief is available alongside the practical steps, and a funeral director can connect you with local help.
Take your time, and lean on people who can help
After a hospital death, an independent funeral director can handle the practical liaison and give you room to grieve. Enter your postcode on the Find a Local Funeral Director page to find one near you.
The right funeral director will make you feel heard, respected and supported every step of the way.
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