Immediate Actions to Take After a Death at Home
Losing a loved one at home can feel overwhelming, especially when emotions are high and you’re unsure of what to do next. Whether the death was expected or sudden, there are essential steps that need to be taken – and we’re here to guide you through them with compassion and clarity.
1. Contact a doctor to confirm the death
If the death was expected (for example, due to a terminal illness), you should contact the person’s GP or out-of-hours doctor. A healthcare professional will attend to confirm the death.
If the death was unexpected or the cause is unclear, call 999 and request an ambulance. Paramedics and, if necessary, the police will attend. In these cases, the death may be referred to the Coroner for further investigation.
2. The Medical Examiner will be informed
Once a doctor has confirmed the death, they will notify a Medical Examiner who is a senior doctor responsible for reviewing the cause of death. The Medical Examiner will then contact the next of kin to discuss the proposed cause and give you the opportunity to raise any concerns.
Once this process is complete, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be sent directly to the local Register Office. You will not be able to register the death or make an appointment with the Registrar until they have received this document.
If you have not heard from the Medical Examiner within five working days, you should contact:
- the GP surgery (if the death occurred at home or in the community)
- the hospital bereavement office
- or the hospice team, depending on where the death took place.
3. Take a moment to say goodbye
It is entirely appropriate and often comforting to spend a short time with your loved one at home. You may wish to close their eyes and ensure they are resting comfortably gently. Family members may want time to say their goodbyes in a familiar and private setting before the following steps are taken.
4. Contact a funeral director
Once the death has been confirmed, you can contact our team at Kenna & Turner. We will arrange for your loved one to be respectfully transferred from your home to our funeral home, where we will begin making preparations for the funeral or cremation according to your wishes.
When you call, it’s helpful to have the following information to hand:
- Full name of the person who has died
- Date and place of death
- GP’s name and surgery
- Whether the death has been referred to the Coroner
- Your contact details
