Bereavement

At this time of sadness, we would like to offer our sincere condolences.

The death of someone close to you, whether expected or sudden, is a distressing and confusing time. The following information is to support you in navigating the medical examiner service and the death certification process.

What is the Medical Examiner Service?

From September 2024 onwards, all deaths (including expected deaths) legally have to be referred to the Medical Examiner Service, with the exception of deaths which have to be reviewed by a Coroner.

The Medical Examiner (a specially-trained, independent NHS doctor) will work with your GP to ensure that the information given on your relative’s death certificate is correct.

Medical Examiners and their staff (called Medical Examiner Officers) offer families and carers a chance to ask questions or raise concerns about the cause of death or about the care they received before their death. You will usually receive a telephone call in the 48 hour period after death. Please be prepared for the Medical Examiner to ask you questions, including whether you have any concerns about the circumstances around your relative’s death, or the care they received. The same questions will be asked whether your relative died at home, in a care home, or in the hospital.

When can I register my relative’s death?

You can book an appointment to register your relative’s death once you have been informed by the medical examiner that the death certificate has been confirmed.  This process happens electronically and can take a few days.  You no longer need to come to the GP Practice to pick up any paperwork.

How do I register my relative’s death?

The following people can register a death:

• a relative of the deceased
• the person who is arranging the funeral
• a person present at the death.

Once the medical examiner has informed you that the death certificate has been confirmed, please make an appointment within 5 days by one of the following methods:

• Online: https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/births-deaths-and-marriages/deaths/registering-a-death
• Phone:0345 045 1363 (Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm excluding Bank Holidays), select option 1.

• At the registration appointment, additional copies of your relative’s ORIGINAL death certificate can be purchased.  These are useful as they are often required to sort out financial affairs such as insurance policies, pension claims or bank accounts. The registration office will also advise you about the free ‘Tell Us Once’ service, which allows you to report a death to most government organisations in one go.

What happens if my relative’s death has been referred to the Coroner?

When the coroner starts an investigation into a death, the coroner (not the medical examiner) investigates the death independently.  By law, some deaths must be notified to the coroner in line with the following guidance: Notification of deaths regulations 2019 guidance

Which other organisations can support me?

Local Cambridgeshire support resources

Since the Dying Matters Coalition was set up in 2009, we’ve created a wide range of resources to help people start conversations about dying, death and bereavement.

Compassion in Dying  We can help you prepare for the end of life. How to talk about it, plan for it, and record your wishes.

National Bereavement Service Every bereavement is different and there are different processes dependent on your circumstances.

Telephone: 0800 0246 121