If you are reading this leaflet you may have had a recent bereavement. If that is the case please accept our sincere condolences at this difficult time.
This leaflet provides what we hope is helpful information, particularly in the first few days and weeks after someone has died.
You will find information about practical matters as well as the different ways grief can affect you and some useful contact numbers.
View the leaflet below or download the PDF here.
What happens next?
After your relative or friend has died this will need to be confirmed by a doctor or healthcare professional. If not present at the time this will be arranged as soon as possible and within a few hours. At this time you will need to decide which funeral director you want to use. Once you have chosen a funeral director they will visit
to collect your relative or friend at a time convenient to you. They can also talk through what happens next and offer help with funeral arrangements, if needed.
A Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is required to register a death. A GP can complete this if they have seen the person in their lifetime. From September 2024, all deaths in any health setting
that are not investigated by a coroner will be reviewed by a medical examiner.
Medical Examiners are senior doctors who independently review the care provided to the deceased. They ensure that the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is completed as accurately as possible. They also provide the bereaved with an opportunity to ask questions, seek clarification or raise concerns regarding the care their loved one received. This will usually be through a telephone call, or sometimes a meeting.
You will need to register the death of your relative or friend in person and by appointment. The Medical Examiner will email the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the registrar. Once received the registrar will contact you by text message, email or phone to let you know you can book an appointment.
If equipment was provided to help staff care for your relative or friend at home the Neighbourhood Team will arrange for this to be collected.
Bereavement support
Bereavement support can vary depending on what you want. Many people find they have all the support they need from those around them. We can provide further information about available support.
A range of local and national bereavement support information can be found in the useful information section. You may feel you need more than this. You can talk to a healthcare professional about your individual needs.
Feelings of grief
Grieving is a natural reaction following the death of someone close and most people are deeply affected by this experience. However, people can react and feel very differently, and at times this may make it difficult to talk about your feelings.
Many people feel sadness, distress and also more unexpected feelings such as disbelief, anger, guilt and panic. This is a normal part of the grieving process; the feeling may come and go without warning, and at times can be difficult to understand. It may help to talk about these feelings.
It is also common to have less appetite than normal and difficulty sleeping, which can make you feel very tired.
Who to inform
After someone dies you may need to (or wish to) notify several different organisations and a death notification form provides some guidance. The registrar can provide more information about this.
Finance
Many people think about their finances before their death and your relative or friend may have written a will and planned for funeral costs. For example, they may have insurance cover or a prepaid funeral plan. Information about this and any personal wishes about their funeral may be in a will, if this exists. If there is no provision for funeral costs it may be possible to get financial support if the person organising the funeral receives certain benefits.
Useful information
Registering a death in Leeds https://www.leeds.gov.uk/births-deaths-and- marriages/death/register-a-death
Tel: 0113 222 4408
Email: register.headoffice@leeds.gov.uk
Leeds Palliative Care Network https://leedspalliativecare.org.uk/helping-you/ what-to-do-after-someone-dies/
https://www.leedspalliativecare.org.uk/ helping-you/bereavement-support/
Carers Leeds https://www.carersleeds.org.uk/ Tel: 0113 380 4300
Leeds Medical Examiner Service https://www.england.nhs.uk/establishing- medical-examiner-system-nhs/
Tel: 0113 206 8691 or 0113 206 5029
Cruse Bereavement Care has specialist bereavement experts who have experience in all types of loss and can offer support. www.cruse.org.uk Tel: 0808 808 1677
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Macmillan https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer- information-and-support/supporting-someone/ coping-with-bereavement/support-with-grief
Tel: 0808 808 00 00
Leeds Community Equipment Service https://www.leeds.gov.uk/adult-social-care/ help-at-home/equipment-to-help-you-live-at- home or call 0113 378 3282
Contact us
If involved, your Neighbourhood Team will provide their contact details. Core hours are 07:00 - 22:00.
North Hub: 0300 300 2999
South Hub: 0300 300 3050
West Hub: 0300 300 0940
Neighbourhood Night service: 21.30 - 07:00,
Tel: 0300 003 0045
Out of hours GP: 111
St Gemma’s Hospice: 0113 218 5540
Wheatfields Hospice: 0113 278 7249
Help us get it right
If you have a complaint, concern, comment or compliment you can share your feedback using the contact details below:
Leeds Community Healthcare Trust
Tel: 0113 220 8585 Email: lch.pet@nhs.net
GP Practice
You can contact the Practice Manager or contact NHS England on tel: 0300 311 22 33 Email: england.contactus@nhs.net
Care Home
You can contact the Care Home Manager or Leeds City Council if the care home is funded by them on tel: 0113 222 4405
Email: complaints@leeds.gov.uk
www.leedscommunityhealthcare.nhs.uk
© Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust, Oct 2024 ref: 1376 v6