Immediately After Someone Dies: Difference between revisions
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, 13 December 2019→How can you get information about the cause of death?
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{{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[Helen Low|Helen Low QC]] and [[Nicco Bautista]]|date= | {{REVIEWEDPLS | reviewer = [[Helen Low|Helen Low, QC]] and [[Nicco Bautista]]|date= January 2017}}{{A Death in Your Family TOC}} | ||
When a loved one dies, it often catches us off guard, even if it was expected. During this difficult time, we deal with our grief along with some responsibilities. | When a loved one dies, it often catches us off guard, even if it was expected. During this difficult time, we deal with our grief along with some responsibilities. | ||
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If a loved one dies in hospital, call family, friends and any spiritual advisor you would like to have present. | If a loved one dies in hospital, call family, friends and any spiritual advisor you would like to have present. | ||
{{PLSTipsbox | text = If a loved one dies at home and first responders or paramedics are called, they should be shown any “No CPR Form” signed by the deceased. As explained in the section “[[Preparing for the Death of a Loved One#The No CPR Form|The No CPR Form]]”, this form records a person’s decision to not have CPR or other emergency medical procedures provided if they stop breathing or their heart stops beating.}} | {{PLSTipsbox | ||
| text = If a loved one dies at home and first responders or paramedics are called, they should be shown any “No CPR Form” signed by the deceased. As explained in the section “[[Preparing for the Death of a Loved One#The No CPR Form|The No CPR Form]]”, this form records a person’s decision to not have CPR or other emergency medical procedures provided if they stop breathing or their heart stops beating. | |||
}} | |||
==Say your goodbyes== | ==Say your goodbyes== | ||
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Even though not required under BC law, pronouncement of death by a healthcare professional is widely recognized as sound clinical and ethical practice for care providers. It can also provide assurance and support to family, and verify that this was an expected natural death. | Even though not required under BC law, pronouncement of death by a healthcare professional is widely recognized as sound clinical and ethical practice for care providers. It can also provide assurance and support to family, and verify that this was an expected natural death. | ||
As well, pronouncement of death by a healthcare professional is required before a funeral home will transport the body - unless the deceased’s doctor signed the form “[http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care/expected-planned-home-deaths Notification of Expected Home | As well, pronouncement of death by a healthcare professional is required before a funeral home will transport the body - unless the deceased’s doctor signed the form “[http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care/expected-planned-home-deaths Notification of Expected Death in the Home]”. | ||
If a healthcare professional is to pronounce the death, contact the family doctor, nurse practitioner or community nurse. You can take the time you need. If it is late at night, you may wait until morning before calling. | If a healthcare professional is to pronounce the death, contact the family doctor, nurse practitioner or community nurse. You can take the time you need. If it is late at night, you may wait until morning before calling. | ||
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[http://transplant.bc.ca BC Transplant] oversees all aspects of organ donation and transplantation in BC. They administer the [https://register.transplant.bc.ca BC Organ Donor Registry]. | [http://transplant.bc.ca BC Transplant] oversees all aspects of organ donation and transplantation in BC. They administer the [https://register.transplant.bc.ca BC Organ Donor Registry]. | ||
If your loved one died in hospital, the staff will look up whether they were registered as a donor in the | If your loved one died in hospital, the staff will look up whether they were registered as a donor in the Registry. If they were, the hospital staff will show you the deceased’s donation decision. | ||
If your loved one was not registered, the hospital staff may ask the family if they wish to have the deceased’s organs and tissue donated. While not legally bound to do so, the family may wish to make this decision based on what their loved one would have wished. | If your loved one was not registered, the hospital staff may ask the family if they wish to have the deceased’s organs and tissue donated. While not legally bound to do so, the family may wish to make this decision based on what their loved one would have wished. | ||
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Your loved one may have donated his or her body for anatomical study and medical research. The Body Donation Program at the University of British Columbia medical school accepts bodies for teaching and research purposes. | Your loved one may have donated his or her body for anatomical study and medical research. The Body Donation Program at the University of British Columbia medical school accepts bodies for teaching and research purposes. | ||
If the deceased was registered in the program, their personal representative or a healthcare professional should contact the program as soon as possible after the death, by calling 604-822-2578. For more information see the | If the deceased was registered in the program, their personal representative or a healthcare professional should contact the program as soon as possible after the death, by calling 604-822-2578. For more information see the [http://cps.med.ubc.ca/bodyprogram/ Body Donation Program website]. | ||
==Removal of the body== | ==Removal of the body== | ||
Whether the death took place at home or in hospital, arrangements must be made to remove the body. There are legal requirements as to who can remove the body, where it can be moved to, and who can authorize the removal. | Whether the death took place at home or in hospital, arrangements must be made to remove the body. There are legal requirements as to who can remove the body, where it can be moved to, and who can authorize the removal. | ||
Only licensed funeral homes or those issued a [https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/ | Only licensed funeral homes or those issued a [https://www.consumerprotectionbc.ca/consumer-help/looking-for-a-private-transfer/ permit by Consumer Protection BC] may move a body. | ||
A body can be moved only to a place of cremation or burial, a place where a bereavement ceremony will be held, or a funeral home. | A body can be moved only to a place of cremation or burial, a place where a bereavement ceremony will be held, or a funeral home. | ||
The removal must be authorized by a representative or relative of the deceased according to a priority order set out under BC law. The priority order begins with the personal representative named in the deceased’s will, followed by the deceased’s spouse, adult children (in age descending order), adult grandchildren and so on. If the person at the top of the priority order is unavailable or unwilling to give instructions, the right to give instructions passes to the person who is next in priority. | The removal must be authorized by a representative or relative of the deceased according to a [http://canlii.ca/t/84mx priority order set out under BC law]. The priority order begins with the personal representative named in the deceased’s will, followed by the deceased’s spouse, adult children (in age descending order), adult grandchildren and so on. If the person at the top of the priority order is unavailable or unwilling to give instructions, the right to give instructions passes to the person who is next in priority. | ||
The authorization to remove the body can be made by telephone. However, the funeral home must not dispose of the body until it receives written authorization from the representative of the deceased. | The authorization to remove the body can be made by telephone. However, the funeral home must not dispose of the body until it receives written authorization from the representative of the deceased. | ||
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{{PLSTipsbox | {{PLSTipsbox | ||
| text = If the deceased was a member of a memorial society, check with the funeral home to see if they have a contract with that society. If not, ask whether they will agree to provide services for the same cost as the memorial society.}} | | text = If the deceased was a member of a '''memorial society''', check with the funeral home to see if they have a contract with that society. If not, ask whether they will agree to provide services for the same cost as the memorial society. | ||
}} | |||
===If the death happened at home=== | ===If the death happened at home=== | ||
If the death happened at home, call the funeral home when you are ready. It is not necessary to call immediately; take time to call the relatives and friends you want to be with you. | If the death happened at home, call the funeral home when you are ready. It is not necessary to call immediately; take time to call the relatives and friends you want to be with you. | ||
If | If the form "[http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/accessing-health-care/home-community-care/care-options-and-cost/end-of-life-care/expected-planned-home-deaths Notification of Expected Death in the Home]" has been completed, authorizing the funeral home to transport the body without pronouncement of death by a healthcare professional, you need to wait at least one hour after the breathing has stopped before calling the funeral home to remove the body. | ||
===If the death happened in hospital=== | ===If the death happened in hospital=== | ||
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==Registering the death== | ==Registering the death== | ||
When a person dies in British Columbia, the death must be registered with the [ | When a person dies in British Columbia, the death must be registered with the [https://gov.bc.ca/vitalstatistics BC Vital Statistics Agency]. Registration creates a legal record of the death. It also results in the issuing of a death certificate, which survivors will need to apply for benefits and to settle the legal and business affairs of the deceased. | ||
The funeral home typically handles the death registration, which consists of these steps: | The funeral home typically handles the death registration, which consists of these steps: | ||
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{{PLSTipsbox | {{PLSTipsbox | ||
| text = The funeral home will ask you how many “original” death certificates you will require. There is a cost for each original certificate: to [ | | text = The funeral home will ask you how many “original” death certificates you will require. There is a cost for each original certificate: to [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/death-certificates order one directly from BC Vital Statistics] costs $27. For most estates, two original death certificates should be sufficient. | ||
}} | |||
After registering the death, the funeral home is provided with the requested number of original death certificates and a | After registering the death, the funeral home is provided with the requested number of original death certificates and a disposition permit. | ||
The death certificate is a certified extract of the information provided on the death registration. The person looking after the '''estate''' of the deceased will need to produce the death certificate whenever they are required to provide proof of death - for example, to cancel a driver’s licence or to settle insurance policies. Some institutions will require the “original” death certificate or a notarized copy, while others will accept a regular copy. You may wish to order two originals, then have additional “certified true copies” prepared by a notary public or a lawyer if needed. | The '''[https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/death-certificates death certificate]''' is a certified extract of the information provided on the death registration. The person looking after the '''estate''' of the deceased will need to produce the death certificate whenever they are required to provide proof of death - for example, to cancel a driver’s licence or to settle insurance policies. Some institutions will require the “original” death certificate or a notarized copy, while others will accept a regular copy. You may wish to order two originals, then have additional “certified true copies” prepared by a notary public or a lawyer if needed. | ||
The disposition permit is a permit to dispose of human remains or cremated human remains. It is illegal in BC to bury or cremate a body unless you have a disposition permit. | The '''disposition permit''' is a permit to dispose of human remains or cremated human remains. It is illegal in BC to bury or cremate a body unless you have a disposition permit. | ||
==Common questions== | ==Common questions== | ||
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===How can you get a copy of a coroner’s report or an inquest verdict?=== | ===How can you get a copy of a coroner’s report or an inquest verdict?=== | ||
Coroner’s reports and inquest verdicts are public documents. For a copy of a coroner’s report, contact the regional coroner office in your area. For copies of jury findings and verdicts from coroner’ inquests, see the Coroners Service of BC website. See the | Coroner’s reports and inquest verdicts are public documents. For a copy of a coroner’s report, contact the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service regional coroner office in your area]. For copies of jury findings and verdicts from coroner’ inquests, see the [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service Coroners Service of BC website]. See the “[[Where to Get Help for A Death in Your Family|Where to Get Help]]” section for contact details. | ||
===What is an autopsy?=== | ===What is an autopsy?=== | ||
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{{PLSTipsbox | {{PLSTipsbox | ||
| text = The HealthLinkBC website | | text = The HealthLinkBC website has a tool that helps family members consider their options: “[https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/uz2102 Should I Have an Autopsy Done on My Loved One?]” | ||
}} | }} | ||
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===How can you get information about the cause of death?=== | ===How can you get information about the cause of death?=== | ||
The medical certificate of death contains information about the cause of death. The death certificate does not contain this information. For a certified copy of the death registration | The medical certificate of death contains information about the cause of death. The death certificate does not contain this information. For a [https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/death-registration/certified-copies-and-certified-electronic-extracts-of-a-death-registration certified copy of the death registration] — which includes the medical certificate of death — you can apply to the BC Vital Statistics Agency. There is a $50 fee. If less than 20 years have passed since the date of death, only immediate family members and selected others can apply for this document. | ||
{{A Death in Your Family Navbox}} | {{A Death in Your Family Navbox}} | ||