HomeWhat to do when someone dies
Call us as soon possible on 01822 612023, we answer the telephone 24 hours a day. We will be able to talk you through what to do next and put initial arrangements in place to receive your loved one into our care.
When someone dies in hospital
Your first telephone call should be to us, we can then start helping you with all the arrangements and will talk you through the following steps. The medical notes will be sent to the Medical Examiner who will finalise the medical certificate cause of death which is sent by email to the Registrar. The Medical Examiner will contact us and confirm that we can now bring your loved one into our care. The Registrar will telephone the next of kin to arrange the appointment to register the death in person.
When someone dies at home, in a nursing home, in a community hospital or hospice
Your first telephone call should be to the Doctors Surgery who will send a Doctor or District Nurse to confirm that death has taken place. Your second telephone call should be to us and we will then make arrangements to bring your loved one into our care. The Doctors Surgery will send the medical notes to the Medical Examiner who will finalise the medical certificate cause of death which is sent by email to the Registrar. The West Devon Registrar can then be telephoned on 0345 155 1002 to make an appointment to register the death.
When someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly
When someone dies unexpectedly, the Coroner becomes involved to ascertain the next steps. If your loved one has not been under a doctor's care recently, the emergency doctor or the police, will inform the local Coroner’s office. At this time, your loved one will be removed by a contractor for the Coroner, usually to the Hospital. The Coroners Officers will keep you fully informed on what will happen next, either to advise you that after discussion with the GP the medical certificate cause of death will be issued normally or that your loved one will receive a post mortem examination to obtain an exact cause of death.
In any of the above events, it is important to call us as soon as possible. We are here to guide you through the procedures and to support you and your family at this time.