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Two Together: Save £100!
Save £100 when you purchase two funeral plans together. Call us for more details.
15 minute read
Although many of us have visited a care home at some point, it’s likely that few have paused to ask ourselves the question, “what happens when someone dies in a care home?” The first hours after a death are critical, as they involve confirming the death, notifying family members, coordinating with medical and legal authorities, and putting funeral arrangements into motion. Aura Funerals is there right from the beginning, helping families by providing clear and compassionate support in their time of need.
If your loved one has recently died in a nursing or care home, you may be feeling confused and overwhelmed about where to start. Whether the person who died had an existing prepaid funeral plan, or you’ll be reaching out to arrange a direct cremation following an unexpected death, our dedicated team of Aura Angels will guide you through the processes of arranging a funeral with care and compassion.
This article will explain what happens when someone dies in a care home, and share information about ongoing support.
When a loved one dies in a care home, we understand that it is likely to be a deeply emotional time; what to do when someone dies is something that many families feel uncertain about. The following are the initial actions taken by care home staff in order to provide structure and comfort to families during a difficult time.
Staff will document the circumstances of the death in detail, and inform all appropriate personnel. This documentation becomes a part of the resident’s permanent record, and includes details such as the attending staff members, any immediate actions taken, and interactions with family or emergency services. The records are then updated to maintain transparency and accountability.
Staff request that the death is verified as soon as possible after a resident dies; this is done by a qualified medical professional, such as a doctor or GP. They will also immediately contact the person’s next of kin if they aren’t present, to provide them with necessary information and to provide emotional support after announcing a death.
The care home may assign a dedicated staff member to remain in contact with the family, offering a consistent voice of guidance on what to expect next and providing solace during the initial stages of grief.The medical professional will complete a Medical Certificate of Death (MCCD), detailing the circumstances and cause of death as per regulations.
Authorities, such as local health or social services, may also be contacted depending on the circumstances of the death.
A sensitive, prompt notification process is very important. Care home staff try contacting the resident’s next of kin or main representative first. This person is chosen by the family or the resident prior to any health emergencies, ensuring that the news reaches a trusted person, should any decisions need to be made.
Following this initial call, care home staff may offer to arrange follow-up calls at times convenient for the family, allowing them the space to process what is happening. They will explain things like how the care home will manage their loved one’s belongings, upcoming steps regarding documentation, and any support services the family might find helpful.
In cases where multiple family members or key contacts are involved, care home staff may offer to facilitate a group call or meeting, either in person or virtually, so that everyone can receive the same information at once; this helps to avoid any confusion or crossed signals.
After relevant family and friends have been notified, additional resources are often relayed to them, such as information about local funeral services. This is when Aura steps in, acting as the family’s trusted funeral service provider, whether the resident had a prepaid funeral plan with us or their family needs to begin arranging a cremation at short notice.
The family’s first point of contact is usually an Aura Angel, who will answer any and all questions the family may have. Our Angel team is comprised of industry-leading professionals who are experts in their field. They are the beating heart of Aura, delivering a perfect blend of efficiency and kindness to the families in our care, who have rated us highly on Trustpilot.
Initial contact with Aura prioritises gathering details about the person who has died, unless these have already been provided by the person themselves in cases where they had previously taken out a plan with us. Subsequent calls will concern their service preferences and any paperwork.
When someone dies in a care home, personal items are carefully accounted for. Staff recognise the sentimental, and often irreplaceable, value these belongings may hold for the family, so they make a detailed inventory of all personal items. It serves as an official record, listing each item and noting its condition at the time of collection. This is important both for safeguarding the resident’s possessions, and reassuring family members that everything is being managed responsibly.
Once the inventory is complete, items are placed in a secure location until the family can collect them, if that’s what they’ve decided they want to do. Care homes don’t put pressure on families to quickly collect these items, as they know that it can be an intensely emotional time. Some care homes may offer to package the items discreetly or even arrange for delivery, particularly if the family is unable to visit in person.
Sometimes a family prefers to opt that items such as specific clothing, jewellery or cuddly toys remain with their loved one – in these cases, they can let a funeral provider like Aura know what items should stay with them.
There are some key differences in how expected and unexpected deaths are handled in a care home setting.
In cases where a person’s death is anticipated due to a terminal illness or long-term decline, end-of-life care plans can be established in advance. Families can work collaboratively on a care plan with the care home and, whenever possible, the person whose plan it is. It can include specific preferences regarding pain management, what setting they’d like to be in, and whether or not they’d like their family’s presence.
During this end-of-life period, staff maintain regular, open communication with family members and medical professionals. They inform them of any changes in their loved one’s condition which may require medical attention.
Care home staff encourage families to visit as often as they want, and provide a calm and supportive environment to do so. The goal is to provide a pathway that upholds the loved one’s personal wishes, prioritises physical comfort, and offers emotional support.
For a family, a care plan helps lessen some of the stress of uncertainty, as they have some idea of what to expect. Similarly, having a plan set in place for the funeral can also help to calm anxieties.
Prepaid funeral plans take the guesswork out of planning a funeral and relieve financial pressure due to rising funeral costs when the time comes. If you’re currently looking ahead to the future, consider comparing funeral plans to decide what might be best for you and your family.
By following processes which put the resident first, nursing homes set out to create a peaceful space, allowing residents to spend their final days in comfort, surrounded by the people who care about them most.
When dealing with the unexpected death of a loved one, it is more important than ever to feel supported by care home staff. As additional processes come into play, they clearly communicate with family about everything that is going on. They may also connect family members with resources and guidance should they have further questions or concerns.
If a death is unexpected, care home staff must notify emergency services right away. The attending physician formally assesses the resident’s condition and confirms the death. The Medical Examiner then steps in to verify the cause of death on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, which is needed to hold a funeral. If the death has been ruled unclear in any way or if there are further questions surrounding the circumstances of death, a coroner may need to get involved.
During this process, care home staff safeguard your loved one’s personal space and belongings, assuring that the environment stays undisturbed until emergency services have completed their checks. They also document each action taken in order to maintain an accurate record for both legal and internal procedures. This documentation might be needed should further investigation be required.
In the UK, the involved qualified medical professional is responsible for a family getting a Medical Certificate of Death. Once issued, it is passed to the Medical Examiner. If they are content with the attending physician’s MCCD, they will sign off on the document and send it to the local registrar where the death can be registered. This is normally done within 5 days of the person’s death.
Because you or a family member will need to register the death, it can feel very overwhelming and make everything feel a bit more ‘real’. Care home staff or a funeral provider like Aura are there to support you by providing guidance on how to proceed, including where to go, what documents you need, and any specific steps involved.
During the registration appointment, a registrar will officially record the details of the death, which is then entered into the national death registry. This registration provides a legally binding record that allows you to obtain official copies of the death certificate, which are necessary for handling matters like funeral arrangements, insurance claims, and settling an estate.
In certain situations, additional steps may be required. For instance, if the case has been referred to a coroner, the coroner may decide to carry out an inquest or a post-mortem examination before a final MCCD can be issued. While this can delay the registration process, it guarantees that all aspects of the death are understood and documented thoroughly. The coroner can issue an ‘Interim Death Certificate’ in this case, which allows all funeral proceedings to continue as normal.
Dealing with the death of someone close to you can be hard to deal with, for instance, coping with the death of a parent, or a dear friend. Those involved may feel they need a little more support throughout their grief. This, of course, includes friends and family members of the person who has died, but can also extend to other care home residents or the staff itself.
Talking about death and dying is hard, but care home staff understand how to relate to the depth of grief that families experience. The care home may offer a quiet space where family members can gather, reflect, or simply find a moment of calm. This provides a supportive environment where families can process their emotions without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.
In addition to this immediate emotional support, many care homes work with bereavement counsellors, independent local death doulas, or have connections with external grief support organisations. These resources can be invaluable for families who need ongoing assistance coping with their loss. Other resources include faith-based organisations and specialised grief support groups, which can help them work through their feelings in an understanding environment. Some care homes even organise regular support group meetings, enabling connection with others who are experiencing similar losses, fostering a sense of community and shared healing.
The impact on fellow residents after the death of someone living at a care home can be profound. For many, the care home is not just a residence but a community, and the loss of a friend or neighbour can leave them feeling unsettled, sad, or even fearful. Providing thoughtful, compassionate support during this time helps them to maintain emotional well-being.
Care home staff may encourage open conversation about the person who has died among other residents, sharing happy memories and looking at photographs. Inviting mental health professionals such as counsellors to come in and speak to residents who were particularly close to the person might also offer some relief, as well as holding a memorial, or creating a tribute such as a plaque or planting a tree. Those with dementia may require special support, as they might not be able to understand the implications of the death of their peers.
The death of a resident in a care home can be an emotional experience for staff, especially those who have built meaningful relationships with them. Balancing personal grief with professional responsibilities can be difficult, and it is important for care home management to provide robust and ongoing support for their staff.
This can be done in several ways, including simply acknowledging their feelings, expressing gratitude for their service, and providing space for quiet reflection or team conversations. Having relief staffing in place and promoting self care practices can also go a long way in helping staff feel heard and cared for.
Care home staff may feel the benefits of assisting in arranging a memorial or tribute, and are also able to access those same grief-related resources they provide to residents. It’s all about a person-centred approach to caring for the self and for others.
Following a death, families are often faced with the task of managing financial and estate-related responsibilities, which can feel daunting. While care home staff do not directly handle legal or financial matters, they can provide helpful direction and advice about how to navigate them.
This may include settling outstanding debts or payments, navigating pension providers and insurance companies, notifying relevant financial institutions, utility services, and more. For more complex estate matters such as probate, distributing assets, or resolving legal obligations, care home staff often provide referrals to legal professionals.
They may also point families to government resources, such as bereavement benefits, that may be available to spouses or dependents.
You might find it difficult to wrap your head around arranging a funeral or memorial service amidst the emotions of a loss, especially if no specific arrangements had been decided ahead of time. In the event that you don’t have an existing plan or funeral provider in mind, care home staff can play a supportive role, offering information and connecting you with reputable funeral directors such as Aura.
They will typically open the conversation about your family’s preferences to ensure you are directed to a provider that can accommodate specific cultural, religious, or personal needs.
At Aura, we pride ourselves on our warm and respectful approach during your time of need. We were founded by Paul Jameson after his own close encounter with mortality, following a motor neurone disease diagnosis. He felt that the most important thing was to make sure his family would have the utmost clarity and care in his absence. Aura was built on the deeply held belief that every family we support deserves the same level of respect, compassion, and attention we would wish for our own loved ones.
That’s why we work closely with care home staff in figuring out the logistics, like transferring your loved one into our care, and helping to coordinate transportation and arrange timing. We also ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed and shared promptly.
When a loved one dies in a care home, we understand how much of a shock it can be, whether the death was anticipated or unexpected. Our Aura Angels are here to support you with anything you may need when the time comes to begin planning a funeral, or to put a prepaid funeral plan into action.
From managing paperwork and making arrangements to offering a listening ear, we’ll be here to help you in your times of need. Get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about funeral plans or anything else about Aura funerals.
