What to do when someone dies in hospital?

Hearing that someone you love has passed away in hospital, even if you knew it was coming, can be overwhelming. It can leave you with a heavy heart and a mind full of questions about what happens next. It’s a difficult time, and figuring out the practical steps can feel impossible while also managing grief alongside this.

At Golden Charter, we understand. Our guide is here to offer a helping hand, walking you through what to expect when someone dies in hospital, helping to ease the confusion and burden during these challenging times.

What the hospital will do when someone dies

When a death happens in hospital, the medical team is there to handle the immediate steps with respect and care.

1. Confirming the passing: A doctor will officially confirm that your loved one has passed away and make the necessary records.

2. Letting you know: The medical team will let you know as soon as possible. They’ll usually offer you time to be with your loved one, to say goodbye in your own way. They'll also explain what they believe led to the death.

3. Medical certificate of cause of death: For most deaths, the doctor who was looking after your loved one will prepare a "Medical Certificate of Cause of Death". This is a really important document – you'll need it to officially register the death.

4. Moving to a peaceful place: After you’ve had time to say your farewells, the hospital staff will move your loved one to the hospital mortuary. Hospitals understand you need time to make arrangements, and they will keep your loved one safely and respectfully until a funeral director is ready to bring them into their care, usually for a few days or sometimes a little longer, depending on what needs to happen next.

When the corner needs to be involved

Sometimes, even if a death in hospital wasn’t completely unexpected, the circumstances mean a coroner has to look into it. This doesn’t mean anything bad happened, but is often because:

• The cause of death isn’t entirely clear.
• The death happened during or just after an operation.
• There’s a suggestion it might be related to something that happened a long time ago.
• Or if someone passed away very soon after arriving at the hospital.

If the coroner is involved, they might need to carry out a post-mortem to find out exactly why your loved one died. This can mean a bit of a delay in getting the certificate required to be able to register the death and arrange the funeral. Hospitals are able to provide dedicated bereavement support and will endeavor to keep you informed at each step.

Your next steps after someone has died in hospital

Once the hospital has taken the immediate steps, you’ll need to:

1. Connect with the hospital's bereavement team: Most hospitals have wonderful teams dedicated to helping families like yours. They are a true lifeline, guiding you through getting the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and answering all your questions about what to do after a death in hospital.

2. Get the medical certificate of cause of death: The bereavement team will help you pick up that crucial medical certificate of cause of death from the hospital.

3. Register the death: This is a legal requirement. You need to register the death within 5 days in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (or 8 days in Scotland) at the local Register Office where the death happened. You'll need the certificate and some other documents, like your loved one's birth certificate.

4. Reach out to a funeral director: Your chosen funeral director will be your main support for planning the funeral. They'll talk to the hospital to collect your loved one and then walk you through every decision, big or small. If you already have a Golden Charter funeral plan, this step becomes so much simpler, as your wishes are already laid out, lifting a huge weight from your shoulders.

5. Let others know: There are various organisations that need to be informed, like banks, utility companies, and pension providers. There's a helpful service called 'Tell Us Once' (in most of Great Britain) that can help you inform many government departments at once, saving you time and stress.

Can I bring my loved one home from the hospital?

It’s not common to bring a loved one home after they have passed away and involves quite a few practical and legal arrangements. Most families find it much simpler and more comforting to have a funeral director take their loved one directly from the hospital mortuary to their chapel of rest. Your funeral director can talk you through all your options .

Emotional support after someone has died in hospital

Even when death is anticipated, the grief is profound. Remember to be kind to yourself.

Many hospitals offer comfort and guidance through their bereavement teams or can point you to local support.

There are also wonderful organisations like Cruse Bereavement Support, who offer free, confidential listening and advice.

Lean on those who you’re close to. Share your feelings with family and friends, you don’t have to carry this burden alone.

For more advice on how to manage grief and deal with bereavement, see our advice hub.

Navigating what happens when a loved one passes away in hospital, and all the arrangements that follow, can feel like a huge challenge. A Golden Charter funeral plan is a compassionate choice that eases this burden. By planning and pre-paying for your own funeral, you ensure that your wishes are known and taken care of. This offers your family the priceless gift of being able to focus on their grief and remembrance, rather than practical and financial worries.