May we offer you our deepest sympathies
The death of someone you care about is a painful emotional experience. You may feel unsure about the practical things that now have to be done. This booklet contains information and advice that we hope you will find useful at this difficult time. Please remember that people are here to help. If you need any other information or support don’t be afraid to ask.
All deaths that occur in the UK must be registered. This requires a Medical Certificate to be issued that states the cause of death.
When someone has died in hospital a medical certificate will be issued by the hospital unless the death needs to be referred to the Coroner. Some deaths are routinely reported to the Coroner. You will be advised if this is necessary.
Please telephone the Bereavement Office on the next working day following the death to discuss the process.
If at busy times you are directed to voicemail, please leave your name and number and we will call you back.
Bereavement Services - Queens Hospital Burton
Telephone: 01283 593001
Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.00pm (Closed on public holidays)
Please note that the bereavement service only deals with deaths occurring in one of our hospitals. For community deaths please contact the relevant GP Surgery.
Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCD) are completed by one of the doctors who was involved in the patient’s care. This will involve a doctor attending the Bereavement Office.
All deaths must also undergo independent scrutiny by NHS Medical Examiners. This will involve the Medical Examiner reviewing the records and once satisfied, they will countersign the MCCD.
The whole process can take several working days.
If you have missed a phone call from the Medical Examiner Officer, please don’t worry, they will try you again, but they can be contacted on: 01283 593439 (only between 9.30am and 3.30pm Monday to Friday).
Following your phone call with the Medical Examiner Officer (MEO) the MCCD will be sent electronically to Staffordshire Registrars Office. They will contact you directly to arrange an appointment to register. Please do not contact the registrars until you have had your phone call with the MEO.
Registrar contact details are on page 5.
Medical Examiners are independent senior doctors employed by the Trust. The aim is for them to ensure that care and treatment were appropriate, and the cause of death is accurate.
When the hospital is unable to provide a medical certificate, the death will be referred to the Coroner for investigations which are required by law without the agreement of relatives. The death cannot be registered until the Coroner has finished the necessary enquiries.
The Coroner’s Office may contact you for further information.
Coroner’s Office
Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.00pm (closed on public holidays)
Telephone: 01782 234777
If a Coroner’s investigation is not required, doctors may ask you to agree to a post mortem examination. This may help the doctors provide more detailed information about the reasons for the death. It may also contribute to the development of new ways of treating future patients with similar problems.
If you agree to a consented post mortem examination the doctors will issue the medical certificate before it takes place so that you can proceed with the funeral arrangements.
When the Coroner or Hospital has issued a Medical Certificate, the death must be registered within five days of the certificate being received by the Register Office.
The majority of deaths are registered by a relative of the deceased. The Registrar will allow other people to register the death only if there were no relatives available as below:
• Someone present at the death
• Someone who found the body
• A person in charge of the body
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral directors
A certified copy of the entry in the Register of Deaths - a Death Certificate - can be obtained for approximately £12.50. You may require one or more copies for private pension and financial matters, etc.
When the registrar calls you, they will let you know which registry office is closest to you. They have offices throughout Staffordshire including Cannock, Burton, Lichfield, Tamworth. They will also provide you with directions.
Staffordshire Registrars: 0300 111 8001
If you decide to use the services of a Funeral Director you will be able to arrange to visit the person who has died at their Chapel of Rest.
Alternatively, the mortuary also has facilities available for families should they wish to view the person who has died. Appointments can be made by contacting the mortuary directly on is 01283 511511 ext. 4086 between 9.00am - 4:00pm.
The funeral is a significant and very personal event for most bereaved people. Before making arrangements check that instructions regarding the funeral have not already been made by the deceased. Some people make a funeral arrangement plan with a local undertaker or leave their wishes in a future care record or their Will.
The important thing to remember is that you can choose what is most appropriate for you, your family and friends. Your option for cremation or burial is a matter of preference especially if the location of the final resting place is important.
Funeral Directors will manage funeral arrangements and give advice and support. Initial arrangements can be made with them before the death is registered.
Most Funeral Directors are available seven days a week and, if you wish, will visit you at home. They will ensure that the legal requirements are fulfilled and will explain clearly all the options available.
You may have decided this already; perhaps a preference has already been expressed. However, if you have any queries or if you feel unable to make up your mind, the Funeral Director or person leading the ceremony will be able to help you.
Costs for the same services may vary considerably from one Funeral Director to another. You may wish to get more than one quote to compare costs.
If you are finding it difficult to pay for a funeral that you have to arrange, the Funeral Director will be able to advise you. You may be eligible to apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you (or your partner) get one or more of the following:
• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• The disability or severe disability element of Working Credit
You can make a claim by phone by calling the Government Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 151 2012.
If someone you know has died, the amount of unwanted marketing post being sent to them can be greatly reduced.
By registering with the free service www.stopmail.co.uk the names and addresses of the deceased are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as six weeks. If you cannot access the internet you can call 0333 006 8114, where you will be asked for very simple information that will take only a few minutes to complete.
Most funerals are conducted well, but if you have a complaint, you should contact your Funeral Director.
If you are not satisfied with the response, you can complain to whichever of the two trade associations listed below your Funeral Director belongs to:
NAFD
618 Warwick Road Solihull, West Midlands, B91 1AA
Telephone: 0121 711 1343
SAIF
Business Centre, 3 Bullfields, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM21 9DB
Telephone: 0345 230 6777
Advice may also be obtained from your local trading standards department.
The Trust has its own chaplains and you can contact them directly:
01283 511511 ext 5666
Your local church or religious community may be able to offer you help and support; don’t be afraid to contact them even if you are not a practicing member.
Citizens Advice Bureau
Age UK
0800 144 8848
0800 678 1602
CRUSE 01543 433479
Samaritans
Reference: Queens Hospital Burton Bereavement Book Review Date: April 2028
Publication Date: April 2026
The Hospital would like to thank RNS Publications for publishing this information and the following pages contain some features from services o ering their help at this time.
Whilst the Hospital is grateful of their support it does not endorse or recommend any of the services that they provide.
Please note, whilst information is correct at the time of publication, this may be subject to future change.
The death of a family member can be a very difficult and traumatic experience and if you are trying to sell a vehicle that belonged to a deceased family member or friend you currently have limited options.
Auto Matters makes things very simple without you having to leave your home.
Our free service helps to overcome all of these problems. We will provide payment to yourself, an executor or a solicitor before we move the vehicle.
To get a valuation of the car, please visit www.automatters.co.uk or call 0333 006 2904
You may need help, support or advice on what to do when someone dies in relation to probate. It may not always appear obvious if it will be required.
We offer free guidance on the legal and financial aspects of bereavement including your responsibilities and whether probate is required.
You may need to establish whether a property is held in joint names or tenants in common, we can perform a simple check at no cost to establish the title deeds.
UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS OF DERBY AND BURTON NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
Queen’s Hospital, Belvedere Road, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire DE13 ORB.
Telephone: (01283) 593001
Email: bereavement.services@burtonft.nhs.uk
Reference: Burton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Bereavement Book
Review Date: April 2028
Publication Date: April 2026