When a Death Occurs in Hospital

When someone dies in hospital, experienced staff will be there to guide you through the initial steps and offer support.

A doctor at the hospital will confirm the death and complete the necessary paperwork. In most cases, the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) is sent directly to the registrar, so you do not usually need to collect this yourself.

Many hospitals have a dedicated bereavement office, which will contact you or arrange an appointment to discuss the next steps. They will explain how to register the death and advise when any documents are ready.

You may also be asked to collect personal belongings from the hospital. This is usually arranged through the ward or bereavement office at a suitable time.

In some circumstances, particularly if the death was unexpected or requires further investigation, the hospital may refer the death to the Procurator Fiscal. This may result in a post-mortem examination. If this happens, the hospital staff will explain everything clearly and keep you informed.

You can contact Ian Johnston Funeral Directors at any time, and you do not need to wait until all paperwork is complete. We can begin making arrangements and guide you through the process from the very beginning.

Once everything is in place, we will bring your loved one into our care and support you in arranging a funeral that reflects their life and your wishes.

We are here to offer guidance, reassurance and support whenever you need us.