What to Do When Someone Dies in a Care Home
A Practical Guide to Understanding What to do When Someone You Know Dies in a Care Home.
When someone dies in a care home, the staff will deal with the immediate arrangements and explain what needs to happen next. The exact process can vary depending on the circumstances of the death and the care home's own procedures.
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For information about the wider steps following a death, including registering the death and arranging a funeral, see our main What to Do When Someone Dies guide.
What Happens When Someone Dies in a Care Home?
The care home will follow its own procedures after a death and contact the appropriate medical professional. If the death was expected, the care home will normally contact the appropriate medical professional to confirm the death and advise the family about the next steps. If there are any concerns about the circumstances or cause of death, the death may need to be referred to the Coroner.
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The care home should also contact the family or nominated representative and explain what needs to happen next. If you are unsure about the immediate arrangements, the care home's staff should be able to explain their procedures and tell you who you need to contact.
What Happens to the Person Who Has Died?
The person who has died will normally remain at the care home until the necessary procedures have been completed and they can be released into the care of a funeral director. Once the required authority has been given, Clive Pugh Funeral Directors can arrange to bring the person into our care. We will then look after them while the remaining funeral arrangements are discussed and organised with you.
If the death has been referred to the Coroner, different arrangements may apply and the person may not be able to be released until the relevant enquiries have been completed. If you're curious about why this happens and what the Coroner's involvement means, you can read our guide to Understanding the Role of the Coroner by following the link below.
What About the Medical Certificate?
If the death does not need to be referred to the Coroner, the relevant medical professional will normally arrange the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The care home should explain how the certificate will be provided and what you need to do to register the death.
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If you have questions about the medical certificate or the registration process, the care home or medical professional involved should be able to advise you. This process will be different if the Coroner is involved.
What If the Death Is Unexpected?
If the death was sudden or unexpected, the care home will first make sure the appropriate emergency and medical procedures are followed. Staff may need to contact the GP, NHS services or the police, depending on what happened and whether the cause of death is clear.
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The care home may also need to preserve the room and the person's belongings until it has been confirmed that no further enquiries are required. This can be particularly important if the death followed an accident, a fall, an injury or circumstances that were not fully witnessed.
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A doctor or other healthcare professional will decide whether the death can be certified in the usual way. If the cause of death cannot be confirmed, or there are concerns about how or when the death occurred, the matter may be referred to the Coroner. In that situation, the Coroner's officers may contact the care home and family, and the person may need to be taken into the Coroner's care rather than being released directly to a funeral director.
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This may delay the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, registration and confirmation of the funeral date. The care home should tell you what has happened and who will contact you next.
What Happens to Any Personal Belongings?
The care home will normally make arrangements for the person's belongings to be returned to the appropriate family member or representative. This may include clothing, jewellery, a mobile phone, glasses or other personal possessions kept at the care home.
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The care home should let you know what needs to be collected and when this can be done. If there are belongings that you are unsure about, speak to the care home's staff directly.
Do I Need to Contact a Funeral Director?
You can contact a funeral director whenever you feel ready. You do not need to wait for the care home's procedures to be completed before beginning to discuss the funeral arrangements.
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Speaking to Clive Pugh Funeral Directors early gives us the opportunity to explain what happens next, answer your questions and start making plans with you. The care home will manage the immediate procedures following the death. We will then take care of the funeral arrangements and guide you through the practical steps that follow.
When Can the Funeral Be Arranged?
There is no standard timeline for when to begin arranging everything. You can, however, begin discussing the funeral while the care home and medical professionals are completing the necessary procedures. In certain cases, the funeral date may need to remain flexible until the required paperwork has been completed and the person can be released into our care. Once everything is in place, we can confirm the date and continue with the arrangements together.
Our Role as Your Funeral Director
If someone has died in a care home, you do not need to manage the funeral arrangements yourself. Once you appoint Clive Pugh Funeral Directors, we'll take responsibility for organising the funeral and act as your main point of contact.
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Depending on the circumstances, we can:
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Liaise with the hospital and its bereavement team.
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Arrange for the person who has died to be brought into our care when they can be released.
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Discuss whether you wish to arrange a burial or cremation.
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Make arrangements with the chosen cemetery, churchyard or crematorium.
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Arrange the funeral service and liaise with the minister or celebrant.
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Organise the hearse, funeral vehicles and other services required.
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Arrange flowers, orders of service, music and other funeral details.
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Keep you informed as arrangements are confirmed.
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If the Coroner is involved, some parts of the process may need to wait until their enquiries have been completed. We'll explain how this affects the funeral and keep you informed while you wait. Our role is to take care of the practical organisation and make sure the different parts of the funeral come together as planned. If you need straightforward advice about arranging a funeral following a death in a care home, contact Clive Pugh Funeral Directors.
If Someone Has Died Elsewhere?
The steps following a death can vary depending on where the person died. We have separate guides covering the arrangements following a death at home, in hospital or in a care home. They discuss what happens immediately afterwards, when to contact a funeral director, and more.
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If you need information about what to do after a death in circumstances not covered above, our main What to Do When Someone Dies guide provides further information about the steps that follow.
If You Need Advice Following a Death in a Care Home
If someone has died and you're unsure what needs to happen next, Clive Pugh Funeral Directors can provide straightforward advice and explain the arrangements that need to be made. You don't need to have everything decided before you speak to us. We can discuss your circumstances, answer your questions and explain the next steps, including arranging for the person who has died to be brought into our care when appropriate.
If you need advice about arranging a funeral no matter where a person has died, contact Clive Pugh Funeral Directors when you're ready. We can support you at every stage of the process.
With You Every Step of the Way
Date and Time
Following registration, a date and time can then be arranged.
Cremation or Burial
In many cases a loved one will have left their own specific preference. Once the decision for a cremation or burial has been made, a venue for the service and order of events can be agreed upon.
Chapel of Rest
Our private chapel is available for you to spend time with your loved one, also allowing your relatives and friends the chance to say "goodbye".
The Funeral Service
We will liaise with the Clergy, Humanist Minister or Celebrant of your choice. Alternatively, if no specific Minister is requested we can suggest a Minister who will guide you through the order of service. The readings, hymns and eulogies will all be discussed.
Coffins, Caskets and Urns
We offer a large range of traditional coffins, caskets and urns. You can choose from many different styles and we offer a range of price points. Should you want to offer a unique tribute to your loved one, ask us about our customisation options. If you are looking for something in particular, please let us know. We will make every effort to accommodate your needs.
Vehicles
We take pride in being able to offer a comprehensive selection of vehicles. A horse drawn hearse is also available upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can I contact a funeral director?
You can contact us as soon as you feel ready. You do not need to have the death registered or have decided exactly what type of funeral you want before speaking to us.
Do I need to collect the person's belongings immediately?
No. The care home should explain when belongings can be collected and what arrangements they have in place. If you are unsure, speak to the care home's staff directly.
Does the care home arrange the funeral?
No. The care home deals with the immediate procedures following the death. The funeral arrangements are made separately with the funeral director you choose.
Can Clive Pugh Funeral Directors liaise with the care home for me?
Yes. As part of arranging the funeral, we can communicate with the care home and relevant organisations where necessary, so you don't have to manage every part of the process yourself.
What happens if the Coroner is involved?
The care home or relevant medical professional should explain if the death has been referred to the Coroner. This may affect when the person can be released and when the funeral can take place. You can also read our guide to Understanding the Role of the Coroner for more information.
Can Clive Pugh Funeral Directors collect the person from the care home?
Yes. Once the necessary procedures have been completed and the person can be released, we can arrange for them to be brought into our care.