Bereavement

Medical Certificate of Death

Due to COVID restrictions please call the Bereavement team to discuss information relating to the medical certificate of death on 01704 704135.

Personal belongings

The patient’s personal belongings may be collected at the same time as the certificate. Belongings are kept on the ward for collection. You will need to sign an indemnity form at the General Office to collect any money or valuables held by the hospital for safe keeping.

Funeral arrangements

You may wish to appoint and contact a funeral director.  If you want support with funeral planning or advice, the Bereavement service or Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care service is available to help.

Financial assistance toward the cost of the funeral may be available if you or your partner is receiving Income Support, Family Credit or Housing Benefit.  For more information call 0845 606 0265.

Visiting your relative

If you wish to see your loved one at the hospital, this can be arranged weekdays between 9.30am and 4pm. To make an appointment, telephone the Bereavement team on 01704 704014. A limited service is available during evenings and weekends.

Tell Us Once service

Tell Us Once is a Government service which makes it easier for you to inform Government and council departments of a death.

The service allows you to provide all relevant information to the Department for Work and Pensions who then pass that information on to the people who need to know, which will reduce the time and effort involved in contacting different Government and council departments separately.