Verification of death

Although you will be feeling very emotional, the person’s death must be confirmed by a doctor or health professional trained to formally verify death within two to three hours. This is called ‘verifying the death’. 

If the person dies at home and there is no health care professional qualified to verify death present at the time of death then you will need to ring the person’s GP surgery. The regular GP who has treated them during their illness and visited them during their last two weeks of life will check if the person has died. It is best not to move the body or any equipment, such as a syringe driver, until this has happened. 

If the person dies out of surgery hours call the GP surgery and you will be given a number to phone for out of hours doctor. You may find you will be asked what time the person died. A doctor will come out to confirm death as soon as possible.

If the person dies in hospital or hospice, the staff will arrange for the death to be verified. Once this has happened, the person’s body may be moved to the mortuary if there is one on-site. If there is no mortuary on site, or the body is in your own home, the funeral director will collect the body. If the person has died at home, you can keep the body at home until the funeral if you choose, and the funeral director can help you look after the body there. You can also have the body cared for at the funeral home and you can visit them there.

1. If providing near end of life care at home ensure their GP visits the person regularly and at least every two weeks so that they can verify death when it happens. 
2. There are some things that need to be done to confirm the death such as checking the person’s pupils for reaction, checking for breathing, and listening to the heart using a stethoscope. Think about whether you would prefer to leave the room whilst this is done.
3. Although staff should check the person’s advance care plan to see if there are any religious or cultural preferences that need to be observed it is still worth telling them of these to make sure the person and your wishes are respected.
4. If caring at home, think in advance (or as part of the person’s advance care plan) about which funeral director to contact upon the person’s death.