We have put together some information, which we hope will offer guidance about what to do after a death, explain what help is available and suggest some organisations that can give support and comfort. You may also find the following addresses and telephone numbers useful:
| Bereavement counselling services | |
| Cruse Leicestershire Bereavement Care | 16 Pocklingtons Walk Leicester LE1 6BU Phone: 0116 288 4119 National helpline: 0808 808 1677 Website: www.cruse.org.uk |
| The Laura Centre | 4-6 Tower Street Leicester LE1 6WS Phone: 0116 254 4341 Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk |
| Sudden | Phone: 0800 2600 400 Website: help@sudden.org |
| The City of Leicester Register Office | City of Leicester Register Office Leicester LE1 9BG Phone: 0116 454 1000 Website: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/births-marriages-and-deaths/register-a-death/ |
| The LOROS Bereavement Hubs | |
| LOROS Hospice Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QE Saturday 4th February 2023 onwards, fortnightly hubs at the Hospice from 10-11:30 pm | |
| Hinckley The New Plough Inn, 24 Leicester Road, Hinckley, LE10 1LS Every Tuesday afternoon from 3.00pm-4.30pm. | |
| Birstall Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS Every Friday afternoon from 1.30pm-3pm. | |
| Thurmaston Thurmaston Health Centre, 573A Melton Road, Behind Manor Medical, LE4 8EA Every Wednesday evening from 4.30pm-6.00pm. | |
Bereavement – What to do when someone dies
We are sorry for your loss. When someone dies, it can be difficult to know what needs to happen next. This page explains the current process and provides details of organisations that can offer practical and emotional support.
When someone dies
After a person dies, the death needs to be confirmed and the cause of death established.
Since 9 September 2024, all deaths in England and Wales that are not investigated by a coroner must be independently reviewed by an NHS Medical Examiner. Medical Examiners are senior doctors who are independent of the care provided to the person who died. NHS England
If an expected death occurs at home, contact the healthcare team involved in the person’s care or Aylestone Health Centre during normal opening hours. Outside normal hours, contact NHS 111 for advice.
If a death is unexpected, or there are unusual or concerning circumstances, appropriate emergency services should be contacted. The death may need to be referred to the Coroner.
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
A doctor who attended the person during their lifetime may propose the cause of death and complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), subject to independent scrutiny by the Medical Examiner. It is no longer necessary for the doctor to have seen the patient within 28 days before death or to examine the body after death solely to qualify to complete the MCCD. NHS England
The Medical Examiner reviews relevant medical information, discusses the proposed cause of death with the doctor where necessary, and determines whether the death needs to be notified to the Coroner. NHS England
The Medical Examiner will contact the family
The Medical Examiner’s Office will normally contact a bereaved person to explain the cause of death and provide an opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns about the care received before death.
You do not have to take part in this conversation if you do not wish to. There is no charge for the Medical Examiner service. NHS England
Once the Medical Examiner has completed their scrutiny, the completed MCCD is sent directly to the Register Office. Families should therefore not normally need to collect the MCCD from Aylestone Health Centre. NHS England
Registering a death in Leicester
If the person died within Leicester City, the death is registered with Leicester City Council Registration Service.
You should wait until the Medical Examiner process has been completed and you have been told that the death can be registered.
The death should normally then be registered within the applicable five-day period. Leicester City Council explains that the attending doctor and Medical Examiner complete their certifications and the MCCD is sent directly to the registrar. Leicester City Council
Registration appointments take place at Leicester Town Hall.
Leicester Registration Service
Registration Service, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ
Telephone: 0116 454 1000
Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
Email: register.office@leicester.gov.ukLeicester City Council
Register a death – Leicester City Council
When the Coroner is involved
Some deaths must be referred to the Coroner. This can include circumstances where the cause of death is unclear, where no doctor is able to complete the MCCD, or where the circumstances of the death need investigation.
If a death is referred to the Coroner, the registration process may be different. The Coroner may decide that no investigation is required or may undertake an investigation or inquest. Leicester City Council
For Leicester City and South Leicestershire:
HM Coroner for Leicester City and South Leicestershire
Town Hall, Leicester LE1 9BG
Telephone: 0116 454 1030Leicester City Council
Families should avoid making final funeral arrangements until the necessary documentation has been issued where a death is being considered by the Coroner. Leicester City Council
Cremation
After registration, the registrar provides the appropriate certificate for burial or cremation, often referred to as the green form, which is provided to the funeral director, crematorium or burial authority. GOV.UK
Arranging a funeral
You may use a funeral director or arrange a funeral yourself.
It is sensible to check whether the person had a prepaid funeral plan, insurance policy or had recorded wishes about their funeral.
If arranging a funeral without a funeral director, contact the relevant local authority or cemetery/crematorium directly for information about burial plots, cremation services and local charges. GOV.UK
Where the death has been referred to the Coroner, avoid finalising the funeral date until the Coroner or registrar has confirmed that the appropriate paperwork can be issued. Leicester City Council
Urgent burial and religious or cultural requirements
Some faiths and communities require burial to take place as quickly as possible.
Leicester City Council operates an urgent burial service on weekends and bank holidays, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with a registrar on duty between 10am and 12 noon. The registrar will contact the person identified by the Medical Examiner where urgent paperwork is required. Leicester City Council
If an urgent burial may be required, please make the healthcare professionals involved aware as early as possible.
Tell Us Once
When the death has been registered, the registrar can provide access to the government’s Tell Us Once service.
Tell Us Once allows you to notify a number of government organisations about the death at the same time, including HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Work and Pensions, Passport Office and relevant local council services. GOV.UK
The service normally needs to be used within 28 days of receiving the Tell Us Once reference number. GOV.UK
You may still need to notify other organisations separately, such as banks, insurers, employers, utility companies, landlords and private pension providers.
Help with funeral costs
If you receive certain qualifying benefits and are responsible for arranging a funeral, you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment.
The payment can help towards certain burial or cremation charges and some other funeral expenses, although it will not necessarily cover the full cost of the funeral. GOV.UK
Claims should normally be made within six months of the funeral. The current Bereavement Service telephone number for claims is 0800 151 2012, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. GOV.UK
Funeral Expenses Payment – GOV.UK
Bereavement support
Grief affects people in different ways and there is no particular timetable for bereavement. Support is available locally and nationally.
LOROS Bereavement Hubs provide support across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. The hubs are open to adults who have been bereaved, regardless of the cause of death, and no referral is required. Because venues and times can change.
Current LOROS Bereavement Hubs
Cruse Bereavement Support provides support and information for people affected by bereavement. Its national helpline is currently 0808 808 1677. Cruse
The Laura Centre, based at 4–6 Tower Street, Leicester LE1 6WS, provides specialist bereavement support for children, young people and families, including support following the death of a child, parent or sibling. Its current contact number is 0116 254 4341 and email is info@thelauracentre.org.uk. The Laura Centre
Samaritans can be contacted free of charge on 116 123, 24 hours a day, if someone needs emotional support.
For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 999.
Further official information
For a straightforward national step-by-step guide covering registration, Tell Us Once, funeral arrangements and bereavement benefits
What to do when someone dies – GOV.UK
For information about the new Medical Examiner system: