Bereavement - Important information for bereaved family and friends

We wish to offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We understand that losing a loved one can be an overwhelming experience, and there are many arrangements to consider in the coming days and weeks.

This leaflet explains what happens next and offers some guidance and support, including useful contact details.

Family may be invited to participate in future surveys regarding your experience following the death of your loved one. It is important to gain feedback from bereaved families. Below is the QR code for the 'bereaved family experience' questionnaire. This helps to shape care in the future. This is voluntary, and you are not obliged to participate.

What to do first

If your loved one died in hospital

The clinical staff will continue to provide care for your loved one on the ward until they are ready to transfer to the mortuary.

Our professional and compassionate mortuary team will then take over their care.

In some circumstances, it may be necessary for your loved one to be transferred to an alternative Northern Care Alliance mortuary during this time. All of our mortuary staff aim to provide high quality and compassionate care.

The Medical Examiner’s team or the bereavement team will contact you to discuss the next steps.

Our Bereavement Centres are open Monday to Friday. If you call outside of these hours (weekends and bank holidays), you may leave a message; your message will be actioned on the next working day.

If you would like to speak with someone from the bereavement team, please contact the bereavement service after 10am on the next working day at the hospital where your loved one died.

Fairfield and Rochdale Bereavement Centre - 0161 778 3859
Oldham Bereavement Centre - 0161 627 8321
Salford Royal Bereavement Service - 0161 206 5175

Your loved one’s belongings in hospital

Belongings will be carefully packed for you to collect from the ward area. If your loved one is wearing any personal items, e.g. jewellery, you may decide to take this immediately or leave this with your loved one. The nurses will ask you to record this decision.

If your loved one died at home or in a care facility

Their GP, specialist palliative care team and community district nursing team will provide initial support and guidance.

They will explain the Medical Examiner process and what you need to do to register the death.

If your loved one has died in their own home or in a care home, they will be taken into the care of the funeral director you choose. Once this has been arranged, you are welcome to visit them.

Please contact your chosen funeral director to make suitable visiting arrangements and to discuss any wishes you may have.

In some circumstances, for example, if the person was not expected to die or if the doctors and nurses have already explained that the Coroner needs to be notified, your loved one may need to go to the hospital mortuary first rather than directly to the funeral director. If this is needed, you will be informed, and the community team will support you and guide you through each step. Our professional and compassionate mortuary team will then take over their care.

It may still be possible for you to visit them at the hospital mortuary. This would need to be agreed with the Coroner first, and you would need to make an appointment with the mortuary team.

The Medical Examiner Service

The Medical Examiner (ME) service ensures that all adult and child deaths (unless reportable to the Coroner) are reviewed.

A Medical Examiner is a senior doctor who independently reviews your loved one’s medical records and cause of death. They make sure the information on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is accurate.

The ME reviewing the death of your loved one will not have been involved with their care.

What this means for you

The Medical Examiner will discuss the review with both the medical team and the bereaved family.

When contacted, you will have the opportunity to ask questions, express concerns, or provide feedback.

If needed, the ME may escalate concerns for further review by medical teams, the NHS Trust, or the Coroner.

You will be updated throughout this process.

For Salford, Bury, Rochdale and Oldham the Medical Examiner Office opening times are Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm. On Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays (excluding Christmas Day and Easter Sunday), the office will be open between 9.30am - 11.30am.

The role of HM Coroner

If a death is reported to a Coroner, the documents you need to register the death may be different. On referral to the Coroner, your loved one will be allocated to a Coroner’s Officer. This person will be a point of contact for the next of kin; they will talk you through and explain the process. At this point, the Coroner’s responsibility is to decide one of the following:

That the cause of death is natural

If the Coroner decides that the cause of death is natural:

• The referral will be returned to the Medical Examiner
• The Medical Examiner will contact the next of kin to explain the next steps

That a post-mortem is needed

The Coroner may decide a full body scan or a post-mortem is required to find out how the person died. This can be done either in a hospital or a mortuary.

If the Coroner decides a post-mortem is required, this is required by law, and you cannot object to a Coroner’s post-mortem. The Coroner will let you know when your loved one can be transferred to the funeral directors.

To hold an inquest

A Coroner must hold an inquest if:

• The doctors don't know why a person has died
• The person might have died a violent or unnatural death
• The person might have died in prison or police custody

If the Coroner holds an inquest

The Coroner will usually issue an interim death certificate to register the death and allow for funeral arrangements to be made.

On referral to the Coroner, a Coroner’s Officer will be allocated to support you. This person will be a point of contact for the next of kin; they will talk you through and explain the process and next steps.

After the inquest has concluded, you will receive the final death certificate from the Registrar. Please do not worry; you will be supported and guided through the process.

Contacting the Coroners' Service

If you need assistance regarding a Coroner’s case, please reach out to the appropriate office:

Bolton, Salford, Wigan and Leigh
District of Greater Manchester West Coroner’s Service
Tel: 01204 338 799
Email: coroners@bolton.gov.uk

Rochdale, Oldham and Bury
District of Greater Manchester North Coroner’s Office
Tel: 01706 924815
Email: coroners.office@rochdale.gov.uk

Arranging to see your loved one

When a loved one dies in hospital, they are transferred to the hospital mortuary, where our caring mortuary team will look after them with dignity.

Visiting your loved one

Each hospital has a dedicated room where families can spend time with their loved one. If you wish to arrange a visit:

• Please call the hospital mortuary to schedule an appointment; visiting your loved one is by appointment only
• Occasionally, due to circumstances beyond our control, visits may not be possible. If this happens, we will explain the reasons to you
• If you need to speak to someone outside of the hours below to arrange a visit or ask for advice, please contact the hospital switchboard, and ask to be put through to the on-call mortuary team

Hospital Mortuary contact information

Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary
Rochdale Old Road, Bury, BL9 7TD
Hospital Mortuary telephone number: 0161 778 3630
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm

The Royal Oldham Hospital
Westhulme Street, Oldham, OL1 2NH
Hospital Mortuary telephone number: 0161 627 8115
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm
 
Salford Royal Hospital
Hospital Mortuary telephone number: 0161 206 4482
Opening Times: Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm

Visits can be arranged with the on-call mortuary team between 8am and 8pm (last visit starting at 7.15pm).

Northern Care Alliance Main Switchboard - 0161 624 0420

When a loved one dies at home or in a care home

When a loved one dies at home or in a care home, arrangements can be made for you to spend time with them once they are in the care of your chosen funeral director. They will guide you through how and when you can visit and help you plan anything that feels important to you.

Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care support

When a person dies in our care, we are committed to providing dignity, respect and sensitivity. We aim to support the faith and cultural needs of your loved one and your family, and we will always be guided by you and family members.

When someone dies from an expected or natural cause in England and Wales, the Medical Examiner’s Service must independently review the death before the doctor can complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This is a legal requirement.

While we strive to meet urgent requests for the quick release of your loved one when they have died, there may be times when immediate arrangements are not possible. If so, we will explain the reasons to you.
 
Support is also available through your local community groups and networks, in addition to the hospital chaplaincy team. Please let us know your preferences so we can offer the most appropriate support during this time.

Scan the QR code for more information on hospital faith deaths

The Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care team can offer guidance on:

• Faith-based or cultural practices after your loved one has died
• Emotional support for you and your family
• Prayers, blessings, or rituals if requested
• Helping you to find peace or understanding at a difficult time

Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care departments

Bury and Rochdale - 0161 778 3568
Oldham - 0161 627 8796
Salford - 0161 206 5167

Urgent or Out of Hours Chaplaincy

When urgent please contact the hospital Switchboard and ask for the appropriate on-call chaplain to be contacted.

Salford - 0161 789 7373
Oldham, Bury or Rochdale - 0161 624 0420
 
For further information regarding emotional, spiritual and belief- based support, please contact the chaplaincy and spiritual care department:

Fairfield General Hospital, Rochdale Infirmary and Floyd Unit
Link Corridor, near Pharmacy
Telephone: 0161 778 3568 or via Switchboard 0161 624 0420

Royal Oldham Hospital
Chaplaincy Dept, Chalmers Keddie, Royal Oldham
Telephone: 0161 627 8796 or via Switchboard 0161 624 0420

Salford Royal
Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care, Level 3, Hope Building
Telephone: 0161 206 5167 or via switchboard 0161 789 7373

Please note that these offices are closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Keepsakes and memorial items

Losing a loved one is deeply emotional, and many families find comfort in keepsakes that preserve their memory.

In Hospital

Sometimes the nursing staff can arrange meaningful mementos, these may include:

• Handprints
• Locks of hair
• Knitted hearts or teddy bears: one is kept with your loved one, and the matching one is given to you as a keepsake

You may wish to take photographs, like photos of a person's tattoos, holding a loved one's hand, etc.

In the Community

District nursing teams and care homes may offer similar keepsakes, such as handprints or locks of hair.

Your chosen funeral director may also be able to provide these items upon request.

If you would like any keepsakes or memorial items, please inform the staff caring for your loved one.

Organ and Tissue donation

When someone dies in hospital or at home, it may be possible for them to donate organs or tissue (tissue donations can include eyes, heart valves, skin, bone and tendons) for transplant or research.

Organ donation will not be possible if your loved one has died at home.

Tissue donation normally happens within 24 hours after a person has died. Sometimes it is possible to donate up to 48 hours after the person has died. Donation may improve the quality of life for others; as many as 50 people can be helped by the donation from one person.

Only tissues/organs for which you have given permission will be donated.

Donation will not delay any funeral arrangements. The donor is treated with respect and dignity.

The specialist team will ensure that the donor maintains a natural appearance after donation.

You may see your loved one after donation.

Northern Care Alliance Hospitals

In our hospitals, an automatic referral is sent to the Specialist Bereavement and Donation Teams consideration of tissue donation. You may receive a call from one of the specialist nurses to discuss the option of tissue donation, if your relative or friend meets the tissue donation criteria.

Community

District nurses can discuss tissue donation and referral to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). With the next of kin’s consent, the district nurse can make a referral to the NHSBT.

Whole body donation

If your loved one wished to donate their body to medical science, they must have expressed their wishes in writing (signed and witnessed) during their lifetime.

To ensure their wishes are fulfilled, it is important that:

• They have informed either their next of kin or the executor of their will
• Proper documentation is completed before death

Whole body donation is a generous act that contributes to medical research and education. If you are unsure whether arrangements were made, please check with their GP, the executor of their estate, or a relevant medical institution. Please tell the Bereavement Office if this is something you are going to arrange.

Coping with grief and bereavement support

Grief is a deeply personal experience; there is no right or wrong way to feel after losing a loved one. Everyone processes bereavement differently, and support is available for those who need it.
 
In addition to friends and family, support can also come from:

• Bereavement specialist nurses
• GPs and medical professionals
• Psychologists or counsellors
• Bereavement groups or charities

If you are struggling, please reach out for support, whether from a trusted person or a professional service.

Bereavement Service Specialist Nurses

• Can provide immediate support following bereavement in hospital

While they are not trained counsellors, they offer a safe space to discuss feelings, concerns and signpost to other appropriate services.

Support for children and families

Children and young people under 18 can access support after the death of someone important to them.

Many families find help through their GP or local charities; please see our signposting at the end of this leaflet.

Talking to children about death

Explaining death to a child or young person can be difficult, especially when you do not have all the answers.

How to approach the conversation:

• Children often ask practical questions, rather than speaking about their feelings
• They need honest but simple information in a way they can understand 
• The topic may need to be revisited multiple times, as children process grief in stages
• Some children may appear to accept the loss at first but later become upset
• While this may be distressing for adults, it is important to allow children to grieve in their own way and time

Children experience similar emotions to adults, but they express them differently. Creating a space for open conversations and reassurance can help them process loss.

In some situations, a child may need more specialised support. When this is the case, a referral can be made to the bereavement nurse for children and families.

Bereavement Centres and contact information

Fairfield General Hospital and Rochdale Infirmary - Swan Suite Bereavement Centre
Entrance 3
Telephone number: 0161 778 3859
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am - 4pm

The Royal Oldham Hospital - Swan Suite Bereavement Centre
Chalmers Keddie Building
Telephone number: 0161 627 8321
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am - 4pm

Salford Royal Hospital - Pam Woods Suite
Telephone number 0161 206 5175
Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8am - 4pm

Please note that these offices are closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Registering the death

The Medical Examiner Service will guide you to register the death. By law, a death must be registered within five days of the registrars receiving the MCCD from the Medical Examiner Office. This includes weekends and bank holidays unless HM Coroner is investigating the circumstances leading to the death.

Where do I register a death?

A death must be registered in the district in which it happened. You cannot register a death by telephone; you will need to arrange an appointment to attend the Register Office in person.

Organisations

Bury Register Office - 0161 253 6026
Town Hall, Knowsley Street, Bury, Lancashire, BL9 0SW

Oldham Register Office - 0161 770 8960
Chadderton Town Hall, Middleton Rd, Chadderton, Oldham OL9 6PP

Rochdale Register Office - 01706 924784
Number One Riverside, Smith St, Rochdale OL16 1XU

Salford Register Office - 0161 793 2500
Buile Hill Mansion, Buile Hill Park, Salford, M6 8GL

The registrar will give you the death certificate at your appointment. It would be helpful if you could decide on your Funeral Director prior to completing the registration.

The registrars will require the following information:

• Full name of your loved one and any previous names used
• Date and place of birth of your loved one
• Your loved one's last address and occupation
• Full name and occupation of a surviving or late spouse or civil partner
• Whether your loved one was in receipt of a pension/allowance from public funds

Helpful documents

You may find it useful to bring documents such as:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage or civil partnership certificate
• Passport or other identification

If you cannot locate these documents, ask family members to help confirm details.

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go, for example HMRC, DVLA, Passport Office, etc. A registrar will explain the 'Tell Us Once' service when you register the death. What to do after someone dies: Tell Us Once - GOV.UK

They will either:

• Complete the Tell Us Once service with you
• Give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself online or by phone

The registrar will give you a number to call. This includes a video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users and Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone.

Arranging and paying for a funeral

Before choosing a Funeral Director, it’s a good idea to check if your loved one had a pre-paid funeral plan. If no prior arrangements were made, you may select any Funeral Director of your choice.

Important steps to consider:

• The Funeral Director cannot make firm arrangements until the death is registered, or the Coroner provides an Interim Death Certificate
• Funeral costs vary, and the Funeral Director can provide guidance on available options
• The person making the arrangements is responsible for covering the funeral costs

Financial support for funeral costs

If you are struggling to pay for the funeral, you may be eligible for:

• Funeral Expenses Payment (also called Funeral Payment), available to those receiving certain benefits
• The payment is deducted from any money in the person’s estate (except for property or personal belongings left to a surviving spouse/civil partner)

For details on claiming bereavement support:

• Call DWP Bereavement Support Payment on 0800 151 2012
• Visit your local Jobcentre Plus office for advice

Managing your loved one’s finances after death

• Notify the bank as soon as possible, many banks have bereavement services to support families
• Accessing bank funds for funeral costs may be possible in some cases
• Do NOT use the deceased’s credit or debit cards, as doing so is illegal and may result in prosecution

Hospital support

Hospitals cannot assist in arranging or funding funerals. If financial help is needed, Jobcentre Plus may offer funeral payments through the Social Fund for low-income individuals. This covers basic expenses such as:

• Burial or cremation fees
• The cost of a coffin

Please note: The amount you receive may be significantly lower than the full cost of a funeral.

UK Government Bereavement Service

Telephone: 0800 151 2012 Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 151 2012
Available Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

The government’s Social Fund and bereavement benefit may not be the only form of financial support available to you if you need to cover the cost of a funeral. Charities may sometimes provide financial support to help the families of the deceased, particularly those who have succumbed to a specific illness.

https://funeralcostshelp.co.uk/blog/charities-help-funeral-costs/

Wills and probate

When someone dies, you may need probate before dealing with their money, property or belongings.

If they left a will, the named Executor is responsible for managing the estate and may need a Grant of Probate. If there is no will, the closest relative can apply to manage the estate.

For clear guidance on what to do next, visit the official government website: www.gov.uk/probate.

Questions and concerns about your loved one’s care

Processing the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming, and it is normal to have questions about their medical care.

Who can you speak to?

Depending on the circumstances, you may discuss concerns with:

• The Coroner's Office or Medical Examiner Office, depending on the investigation process
• Senior hospital staff, such as a Matron or Consultant

When should you ask questions?

• You may seek answers immediately, or
• You may only think of questions after the initial busy period following the death

How to arrange a discussion

If you need support or clarification, this can be facilitated by:

• Contacting the ward manager
• The district nurse team leader
• Care home manager
• Bereavement team
• Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS) on 0161 778 5655 if the person was known to the Northern Care Alliance teams

Money matters

If you are struggling financially after a bereavement, you may be eligible for certain benefits.

Bereavement-related benefits may be available to individuals who have recently lost a loved one.

If your household income has decreased, you may also qualify for Tax Credits or Universal Credit to help with living costs.

Contact DWP on 0800 055 6688.

Practical help

Sometimes the person who has died is the person you may have relied on for help and support with your day-to-day activities.

Social Services can assist in providing help for older people or people with a disability, so you are able to continue to manage your own home.

• Home Help - Assistance with household tasks
• Home Care - Support with bathing, dressing, and personal care
• Meals on Wheels - delivered meal services
• Social Activities - Access to community groups, clubs, and day centres to prevent isolation

For further information, speak to the Social Services Department at your local council.

Carers

The death of a loved one can sometimes mean that you become more involved in caring for someone previously looked after by the person who has died. Being a carer can affect people’s lives in different ways. Some people decide to reduce hours or even give up work, which can have a financial impact. Looking after someone can also affect a person’s health. Support is available, especially for carers.

As well as help from Social Services, you can get help, advice and support from carers’ groups in your local area.

Helpline: 0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm
Email: advice@carersuk.org

Website: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/get-support/ local-support

Stopping unwanted mail

The Bereavement Register is an organisation that will attempt to stop you receiving unwanted mail for the person who has died. By registering with the free service, the names and addresses of the person who has died are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as six weeks.

Tel: +44 (020) 7089 6403
Email: help@thebereavementregister.org.uk
Office Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 5.30pm
Weekends and bank holidays: Closed
https://www.thebereavementregister.org.uk/

Consider deactivating a social media account

Social media pages can give great comfort after the death of a loved one; however, it can also cause distress, and you may want to close accounts.

Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Threads, TikTok, Snapchat, LinkedIn.

A verified immediate family member or an authorised person acting on behalf of the estate must submit a formal request to the appropriate social media help centre. Some will deactivate the account, permanently delete it, or offer a memorialised account.

Support Organisations and Contacts

Listed are national organisations for support. If you require any help with these or some more local signposting/referrals to where you live, please contact the bereavement nurses.

24 Hour support lines:

Samaritans: 116 123 (UK) - For anyone at any time for any reason
Childline: 0800 1111 - Support for 18 years and under and relatives
Silverline: 0800 4 70 80 90 - Support for the over 50’s

For grieving adults

The Bereavement Advice Centre is also available to give advice on questions surrounding probate, tax and benefits.

The contact details are telephone 0800 634 9494
Website: www.bereavementadvice.org

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service - 0161 983 0902

Available - Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm (except bank holidays) and Wednesday 9am to 8pm
Website:  https://greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk/
The website has an interactive map, providing signposting to local bereavement support

Care Concern Bereavement Loss & Counselling - 07598 685745
Email: care.concern@hotmail.co.uk

Cruse Bereavement Loss & Counselling - 808 808 1677
Email: manchester@cruse.org.uk

DrugFam - 0300 888 3853
Drug and Alcohol addiction - available between 9am and 9pm seven days a week.

Good Grief Trust
For immediate bereavement support, helplines, information and advice wherever you live in the UK
Website: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org

Salford Palliative Care Bereavement Counselling Service
Telephone - 0161 206 2362 (person must have a Salford GP)

For grieving children and young people

Child Bereavement UK - 0800 02 888 40
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Text or Whatsapp: 07418 341 800
Email: ask@childbereavementuk.org

Childline - 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk

The Gaddum Centre - 0161 834 6069
Website: www.gaddumcentre.co.uk
Email: info@gaddum.co.uk

The Grief Encounter - 0808 802 0111
Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
Email: support@griefencounter.org.uk

Hope Again - 0808 808 1677

For young people

Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk
Email: hopeagain@cruse.org.uk
 
Please feel free to write down any questions you may have for healthcare professionals.