Death and Bereavement

Last Updated: Friday, 13 June 2025

Death and dying are inevitable. Being able to live as well as possible until we die is something that we all value. The needs of people of all ages who are living with dying, death and bereavement, their families, carers and communities, must be addressed, considering their priorities, preferences and wishes. Personalised care in the last year(s) and months of life will result in a better experience, tailored around what really matters to the person, and more sustainable health and care services (NHS England).

Certification of death

Certification of death is the process of completing the 'Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death' (MCCD) by a medical practitioner in accordance with The Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, underpinning the legal requirements for recording a person's death.
Any medical practitioner (doctor) who has attended the deceased within their lifetime can complete an MCCD if they can establish the cause of death to the best of their knowledge and belief, and the death is not required to be notified to the coroner.

Bereavement Support

• The team that provided support may also wish to either contact the bereaved relative / carer by phone or schedule a post bereavement visit.  This gives bereaved relatives / carers the opportunity to give us feedback and all contacts should be documented in the patient’s/residents records. 
• There is a normal process of grief that follows the loss of a loved one. If your bereaved family are struggling with grief, you may need to signpost them for support and advice. If your patient/resident was cared for by a local hospice, they offer support for up to one year after the loss of a loved one.
• Home - Liverpool Bereavement Services

For information, advice and support for your recent bereavement, see the Cruse website: