When
someone dies
What happens when someone dies
More often that not, a natural death occurs in a hospital or nursing home rather than a home. The following information details what happens when a death occurs.
Death in a Hospital or Nursing Home
Following a death in a hospital, hospice or nursing home medical staff will contact the doctor to issue a death certificate. The nursing staff will notify the next of kin and family members. Nursing staff will usually prepare the deceased and you will be able to spend time with them before having us transfer the deceased into our care.
When a death occurs at home
You should phone the deceased’s doctor as soon as possible so the Doctor can verify the death and confirm that they can sign the medical Death Certificate. Once a Death Certificate has been signed we can then transfer the deceased into our care at our funeral home.
When death is referred to the Coroner
When an unexpected death occurs in the home, hospital or in a public place then the death may need to be referred to the Coroners office. The following are reasons why a death may be referred to the Coroner:
Accidental Death
A death by accident, whether it involves motor vehicles or not, will involve the Police. Once they have completed their scene examination they will organise for a Funeral Director to transfer the deceased to the Coroners Mortuary. The Police will call the Funeral Director of your choice once the Coroner has completed the formalities. You are not obliged to use the same Funeral Director who transported the deceased to the Coroners Mortuary.
An unexpected Death
Apart from an accident, examples of unexpected death could be where there is no serious health history, possible violence, or no recent consultation with a doctor. In such circumstances you should call the Police as well as your doctor. The Police will determine if the death needs to be referred to the Coroner.
If the Coroner is involved
In cases where the cause of death is not obvious, the Police will notify the Coroner. The Coroner will carry out further investigative work to determine the cause of death. When this has been completed, the deceased will then be released to the family to arrange the funeral. You will need to inform the Coroner which Funeral Director you wish to use.
