Claire Dawson
When a person passes away in a hospital, the hospital staff will inform the next of kin. The death must then be officially pronounced by someone with authority, such as a doctor, who will also fill out forms to certify the cause, time, and place of death. This will enable the preparation of an official death certificate, which is necessary for life insurance and financial and property issues. The body is then typically moved to the hospital morgue, a temporary facility where bodies are kept at a cold temperature to delay decomposition. The next steps depend on whether the deceased had registered for organ donation, tissue donation, or body donation, and whether the family wishes to view the body.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Pronouncing the death | Hospital staff must verify the identity of the deceased, physically examine them, check for a heartbeat and breathing, and record the time of death. |
| Informing next of kin | Hospital staff will inform the person's next of kin if they die in the hospital. |
| Organ donation | If the deceased registered as an organ donor, the hospital's transplant coordinator will discuss organ donation with the next of kin. |
| Autopsy | The doctor may recommend an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The next of kin may object to an autopsy based on religious or cultural grounds. |
| Body viewing | The next of kin may view the body in the hospital or morgue before transport to the funeral home. |
| Body storage | The body is typically stored in the hospital morgue for a day or less before being released to the next of kin or a funeral home. |
| Death certificate | A doctor or nurse will fill out forms certifying the cause, time, and place of death, enabling the next of kin to obtain an official death certificate. |
| Belongings | The hospital will keep the deceased's belongings safe until they can be collected by the next of kin or the person administering the estate. |
| Bereavement support | Hospitals often have bereavement staff to provide emotional and practical support to the next of kin and coordinate documentation. |
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What You'll Learn
Hospitals must verify the identity of the deceased and pronounce them dead
When someone passes away in a hospital, the hospital staff will inform the next of kin. The first thing that will happen is the pronouncement of death. Hospital staff must follow a protocol when pronouncing a death. They must verify the identity of the deceased and confirm that the person has no pulse, is not breathing, and is not responding to light or other stimuli. This process involves physically examining the person and checking their hospital ID tag. Once the death has been formally pronounced and documented, the body is typically moved to the hospital morgue, a temporary facility where bodies are kept at a cold temperature to delay decomposition.
The hospital staff will provide emotional and practical support to the next of kin. They will also coordinate the issue of documentation and explain the procedures, although preparing the necessary documents can take time as they can only be completed by medical staff directly involved in the patient's care. Most hospitals operate appointment systems for collecting documents and the deceased's belongings.
If the deceased had registered for organ donation, the transplant coordinator at the hospital will discuss the process with the next of kin, as organs and tissues need to be removed soon after death. If the cause of death is unclear, the hospital may refer the case to a coroner, who may perform a post-mortem examination, either with the consent of the next of kin or without it. The coroner's office will provide information about when the death can be registered, and the family will need to correspond with them to arrange transport of the body to their facility.
In some cases, the family may wish to view the body in the hospital or morgue before it is transported to the funeral home. The funeral home can then take over the reins, coordinating with the hospital or coroner's office to arrange transport and handling the necessary procedures so that the family can focus on grieving and preparing for the next steps.
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The deceased's body is moved to the hospital morgue
After a person passes away in a hospital, their body is typically moved to the hospital morgue. This is a temporary facility where bodies are stored in a cold environment to prevent decomposition. The amount of time a body remains in the morgue varies but is usually a day or less. During this time, the family may be able to view the body.
The hospital will release the body to the local medical examiner's office if the cause of death is uncertain. The hospital staff, family, and medical examiner's office will then need to coordinate the transport of the body. This process should be completed on the same day. Alternatively, the family may choose to have the body directly transferred to a funeral home. Here, the body will be embalmed and prepared for the funeral.
If the deceased had registered as an organ donor, the hospital's transplant coordinator will discuss the next steps with the family, as organs need to be removed soon after death. The family's consent is required for organ donation if the deceased had not previously recorded their decision.
The hospital staff will also provide emotional and practical support to the family. They can assist with various arrangements and procedures, such as collecting the deceased's belongings and facilitating viewing of the body.
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Hospitals inform the next of kin and provide emotional support
When a person passes away in a hospital, the hospital staff will inform the next of kin. Hospital staff will verify the identity of the deceased with their hospital ID tag and perform a series of checks to confirm the death. This includes physical examination, checking for a heartbeat, observing signs of breathing, and checking the pupils for responses to light. Once the death is pronounced and documented, the next of kin may choose to view the body. Hospitals often have a morgue or a temporary holding facility to store the body and delay decomposition.
The hospital staff will provide emotional support and guide the next of kin through the necessary procedures. They will explain the process and coordinate the documentation, which can only be completed by medical staff directly involved in the patient's care. The next of kin may need to give permission for a post-mortem examination if the cause of death requires confirmation. If the deceased had registered as an organ donor, the transplant coordinator at the hospital will discuss the next steps, as organs need to be removed soon after death.
The hospital will release the body to the local medical examiner's office if further analysis is required to determine the cause of death. The next of kin will correspond with the medical examiner's office to arrange transport. The hospital will keep the belongings of the deceased safe until they can be collected by the administrator of the estate. The family or funeral directors can then collect the body from the hospital mortuary.
In some cases, the hospital may refer the death to the coroner, and the medical certificate will be issued by the coroner's officer. The next of kin will need to register the death at a local register office within a specified time frame, usually within five days, and obtain a death certificate before proceeding with funeral arrangements. The hospital staff will provide practical support and assist with any queries or concerns the next of kin may have during this difficult time.
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Hospitals coordinate organ donation and body donation
If a person dies in a hospital, the hospital staff will inform the next of kin. The hospital may have bereavement staff who will coordinate the issue of documentation and explain the procedures to the family. The hospital will also help with funeral arrangements. If the deceased had registered for organ or tissue donation and is eligible, the transplant coordinator at the hospital will talk to the next of kin as the organs and tissues for transplantation have to be removed very soon after death. The hospital will refer the death to a coroner if necessary.
In the US, medical specialists from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) evaluate the person’s medical status to determine if they can become an organ donor. OPTN maintains a national database of registered organ donors. After confirming an eligible donor, they check their database to see if the potential donor is registered. If they are, OPTN staff will inform the donor’s family of their consent to donate. If they’re not registered, OPTN will consult with the family about the opportunity for donation. The family may choose at this time to donate their loved one's organs on their behalf.
A specialized surgical team recovers organs and tissues from the donor in a respectful, formal procedure. The donor is taken to an operating room, where organs are surgically removed. The donor is treated with honor and respect throughout the donation. After donation, the donor is taken to a funeral home, and the OPO works with the funeral director to honor the donor and donor family’s funeral wishes. An open casket funeral is possible after organ donation.
Body donation is also an option. The body donation process begins with a desire to do good and help health science students. If the death occurs in a hospital, the Body Donor Program will arrange for transportation once notified. If death occurs in a private residence or nursing home, the family must contact their local funeral home to hold the remains until the Body Donor Program arranges transportation.
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Hospitals provide bereavement services and advice
In cases where the deceased has registered for organ or tissue donation, the hospital's transplant coordinator will discuss the process with the next of kin. The next of kin may also need to give permission for a hospital post-mortem examination if the cause of death needs to be confirmed. Hospitals will also safely store the belongings of the deceased until they can be collected by the person administering the estate.
Additionally, hospitals follow specific protocols when pronouncing a death. This includes verifying the identity of the deceased, performing physical examinations to confirm the absence of vital signs, and recording the time of death. Hospitals may also refer the death to a coroner, who can perform a post-mortem examination without consent if required.
Bereavement advice and support are also available through other avenues. Local councils may provide support and advice about post-bereavement arrangements, such as registering the death and obtaining a death certificate. Support organisations, such as Cruse Bereavement Care, can offer counselling and assistance during the grieving process.
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Frequently asked questions
The first thing that will happen when someone dies at the hospital is pronouncing the death. Hospital staff must follow a protocol that includes verifying the identity of the deceased, physically examining them, checking for a heartbeat, looking and listening for signs of breathing, and recording the time of death.
If the deceased has registered for organ or tissue donation and is eligible, the transplant coordinator at the hospital will talk to the next of kin. Organs and tissues for transplantation must be removed very soon after death.
The body is typically moved to the hospital morgue, a temporary facility where bodies are kept cold to delay decomposition. The family may be able to view the body at the morgue. The hospital will release the body to the local medical examiner's office if the cause of death needs to be determined. Funeral directors will then take the body to their chapel of rest until the funeral.
