Bereavement Office

We would like to take a moment of your time and explain what happens following a death at the hospital.

A member of our team will contact you via telephone the next working day following your bereavement. During the phone call, our team will explain the process of what happens next and answer any queries you may have relating to your bereavement.

All our appointments will be completed over the telephone, so there will be no need to return to the hospital further unless we advise you differently. If there has been any property left at the hospital, we will arrange a convenient date and time for you to collect this.

During the call, we will explain the Medical Examiners Service process. The Medical Examiner Service is a statutory process that includes an independent review of all deaths by a senior doctor or consultant in all hospital Trusts and GP practices. This is routine and not a cause for concern. The Medical Examiner is assisted by Medical Examiners Officers.

A Medical Examiners Officer will call you following the review to discuss the cause of death that will appear on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD). This call will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and discuss any feedback you wish to share. The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death is sent electronically by the Bereavement Office to the Registration Office at Barnsley Town Hall who will then contact you to arrange a formal registration appointment to register the death.

In some circumstances, it may be necessary for a death to be referred to His Majesty’s Coroners (HMC). If this happens, you will receive a phone call and be updated about this.

• HMC Office – 0114 2738721

The Register Office is based at the Town Hall in Barnsley. 

An appointment will be made by a Registration Officer by telephone once they have received the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death electronically from the Hospital. 

Who can register the Death?

• A relative
• Someone present at the death
• An official representative from the hospital where the death took place
• The person making the arrangements with the funeral director

When you go to the Registrar 

If you are able to, please take the deceased’s Birth Certificate when registering.

What you will need to tell the Registrar

• The deceased first names and surname (and maiden name if applicable)
• The deceased date and place of birth
• The deceased last known address
• The deceased occupation and the name and occupation of spouse or civil partner
• If they were married or in a civil partnership; the date of birth of the surviving spouse
• The deceased NHS number if you have it – helpful but not compulsory (not National Insurance number)

The Registrar will give you

• A certificate of Registration of Death
• A green form is issued and sent directly to the necessary parties

You will be able to purchase certified copies of an entry certificate. 

Further copies are available from the Registrar’s should you require more copies after the date you register

Tell Us Once

The Registrar will also generate a unique reference number for you to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service. 

This is a Government service which enables you to notify Government Services that someone has died.

You do not have to wait until the death has been registered before contacting a Funeral Director. 

As the decision about who will conduct the funeral for your loved one is an important one, consider talking to more than one company before making your final choice. Recommendations by family and friends may also help in selecting a funeral director. 

Funerals can be expensive although basic costs tend to be similar. However, the final cost can vary considerably. Do not be afraid to discuss your budget or obtain estimates from several undertakers. 

If you are worried about funeral costs, you may be able to claim money towards the funeral through Bereavement Support on the GOV.UK website. This funeral payment is a payment to help people on a low income with the essential costs of a funeral. Visit the website for further information. If you are not happy with a funeral payment decision, you can also speak to an adviser at the Citizens Advice Bureau. 

If your loved one is to be buried/cremated (repatriated) outside the United Kingdom, the funeral director will be able to help you with this.

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The Barnsley Hospital Chaplaincy provide pastoral, spiritual and religious care to people of all faiths and none, to Patients, Carers, families and Staff.

When someone we know has died, we may find talking to someone can provide the emotional support we need. Often this support comes from family and friends but sometimes it helps to talk to someone who is independent.

We have a Chaplaincy service who may be able to help provide a comforting and supportive presence.

Chaplains bring along a unique set of skills in companionship and provide a supportive, non-judgemental confidential listening ear.

• Chaplaincy phone number - 01226 435751
• Email address chaplaincy.barnsley@nhs.net