If the death occurs in Hospital

If the death occurs in hospital, the hospital staff will contact the person named by the deceased as next of kin. This may be, but need not be, a relative. You may, if you wish, request to see the hospital chaplain.

The hospital will keep the body in the hospital mortuary until the executor arranges for it to be taken away.

Most funeral directors have a chapel of rest in which the deceased will be held pending the funeral. Hospital staff will arrange for the nearest relative to collect the deceased’s possessions.