
Losing a loved one in hospital can be an emotional and unfamiliar experience. While hospital staff will help guide you through the first steps, knowing what to expect can make things a little easier. Whether your loved one passed away in a larger general hospital or a smaller community hospital, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
What Happens Immediately After a Hospital Death?
When someone dies in hospital, the medical staff will confirm the death and ensure your loved one is treated with dignity. If you weren’t there at the time, the hospital will contact you as soon as possible. You may wish to spend a little time with them before arrangements begin, and the staff will support you in doing so.
Depending on the hospital, the process of releasing your loved one into the care of a funeral director will vary.
Larger General Hospitals
Hospitals such as Nottingham University Hospitals (QMC and City) or Royal Derby Hospital have on-site mortuary facilities, which means they are able to care for your loved one until the necessary paperwork is complete.
In these hospitals your first point of contact will usually be the hospital’s Bereavement Centre. The Bereavement Centre will help arrange:
o The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
o The return of any personal belongings
o Support and counselling if needed
o Registration of the death (many now offer this service at the hospital)
o The release of your loved one into the care of your chosen funeral director
We recommend contacting the Bereavement Centre on the next working day after the death to book an appointment. It typically takes 1–2 working days for all arrangements to be ready, though this may take longer if a coroner needs to be consulted.
Please note: We are only able to bring your loved one into our care at Gillotts, once all medical documentation is complete and the death has been registered. Until then, they will remain in the hospital mortuary.
Smaller Community Hospitals
Smaller hospitals such as Ilkeston, Ripley, and Babington do not have mortuary facilities. In these cases:
• A funeral director will be called immediately to collect and care for the deceased.
• The hospital may contact us directly, another local funeral director, or ask if you have a preferred funeral director.
If another funeral director is instructed initially but you would prefer Gillotts to handle the funeral, we can arrange to transfer your loved one into our care once the required documentation is in place.
Registering the Death
The death must be registered before funeral arrangements can move forward. In many general hospitals, the Bereavement Centre can now help you complete the registration on-site. If not, they will explain how to register the death at the local registry office.
The type of funeral (burial or cremation) also determines which forms are needed. The hospital team may ask about your plans so they can prepare the correct paperwork.
When the Coroner Is Involved
If the doctor cannot issue a cause of death, or if the circumstances of the death are sudden or unexpected, the Coroner may need to be involved. This can delay the release of your loved one from the hospital, but the Bereavement Centre will keep you updated on timescales and next steps.
When Can We Bring Your Loved One into Our Care?
Once the death has been registered and the hospital has completed the necessary forms, we can, at your instruction, arrange to bring your loved one into our care at a Gillotts funeral home. We will liaise with the hospital and ensure everything is handled with dignity and sensitivity.
We’re Here for You
If a loved one has recently died in hospital and are unsure what to do next, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Our experienced team is here to help you navigate each step with care and clarity.
Call us on 0808 258 3356 – We’re available 24/7 to support you.
Useful Links
Death at Home
Death in Care
Death of a Child
Dying abroad and Repatriation
Sudden or Unexpected Death
Registering a death
Help with bereavement