In Times of Bereavement
We would like to express our sincere condolences to anyone who has recently lost a relative or close friend. We understand that this can be an extremely difficult and emotional time.
This page aims to provide helpful information about what to do following a death, the support available, and how we can help.
What To Do After a Death
After a death occurs, several legal and medical steps must take place before the death can be formally registered. Many of these steps now happen automatically behind the scenes, and you will be guided through the process.
You do not usually need to attend the GP practice to collect paperwork.
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
What is a Medical Examiner?
A Medical Examiner (ME) is a senior NHS doctor who was not involved in the person’s care. Their role is to independently review nearly all deaths in England to ensure that:
* The cause of death is accurate
* The death is properly and legally certified
* Families have the chance to ask questions or raise concerns
This is a routine process and part of standard care after a death.
What is the Medical Examiner Office (MEO)?
The Medical Examiner Office supports the Medical Examiner and manages the review process. The team works independently from GP practices and hospitals and may contact the next of kin to explain the process or answer any questions.
What happens after a death?
- Death notification
The death is reported by the hospital, GP practice, care home, or another healthcare professional.
- Medical Examiner review
The Medical Examiner reviews medical records, considers the circumstances of the death, and confirms the proposed cause of death.
- Family contact
A member of the Medical Examiner Office may contact the bereaved family to:
* Explain the cause of death in clear language
* Answer any questions or concerns
* Check whether anything about the death feels unexpected
This contact does not mean that something has gone wrong.
- Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
Once the review is complete:
* The MCCD is issued
* The certificate is sent electronically to the Register Office
* You do not need to collect it from the GP practice
- Registering the death
The Register Office will guide you on how to register the death. Funeral arrangements can only proceed once registration is complete.
Will this cause delays?
In most cases, no. The Medical Examiner process usually runs alongside existing arrangements and should not delay registration or funeral planning. If further information is needed, this will be explained clearly.
The Register Office will advise on:
- Registering the death
- Obtaining death certificates
- Arranging the funeral
The Coroner
In some circumstances, the death may need to be reported to the Coroner, for example if:
- The cause of death is unknown
- The death was sudden or unexpected
- The deceased had not been seen by a doctor recently
If this happens, the Coroner’s Office will contact you directly and explain the process.
Support During Bereavement
Grieving affects everyone differently. You may experience a range of emotions such as shock, sadness, anger or exhaustion, all of which are normal.
Support is available:
- From family, friends, and faith or community groups
- Through bereavement charities
- From your GP, who can advise on bereavement support services
- The Medical Examiner Office can answer questions about certification
- Your local Register Office can guide you through registration
Please do not hesitate to contact the surgery if you need advice or support.
