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In times of bereavement
In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are some things that must be done in the first few days. View the step by step guide on the UK Government website.
New process for the issuing of death certificates
A new statutory medical examiner system has been rolled out across England and Wales.
What do Medical examiners do?
Medical examiners are senior medical doctors contracted for several sessions a week to provide independent scrutiny of the causes of death, outside their usual clinical duties. They are trained in the legal and clinical elements of death certification processes.
The purpose of the medical examiner system is to:
- provide greater safeguards for the public by ensuring independent scrutiny of all non-coronial deaths
- ensure the appropriate direction of death to the coroner
- provide a better service for the bereaved and an opportunity for them to raise any concerns to a doctor not involved in the care of the deceased
What to expect?
- A phone call from a Medical Examiner’s Officer or Medical Examiner
- To be informed of what has been listed as the cause of death
- The chance to ask questions, raise concerns, or give feedback
- The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (what you need to register a death formally) to be emailed directly to the Kent Registrar immediately following your phone call
If you have any queries, please get in touch with the medical examiner via email.
National Support
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK help children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. They also provide training to professionals, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
Sands Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Charity
Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it.
Compassionate Friends
TCF offers many different kinds of support for bereaved families. Whatever the cause of your loss, wherever you are in the UK, and whatever your circumstances – they are here to help.
Brake
Brake’s helpline is a quality accredited, Freephone, confidential support service, providing information and advocacy, emotional support and a listening ear for survivors of road crashes.
Scotty's Little Soldiers
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people who have lost a parent serving in the British Armed Forces.
Child Death Helpline
The Child Death Helpline aims to provide a quality freephone service to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age. Callers to the helpline might be parents, grandparents, siblings, other family members, friends or involved professionals.
Cruse - Bereavement Support
They help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.