We would like to express our sympathy and sincere condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.
There are many practical matters to manage following a bereavement and this page provides some help and guidance.
Funeral arrangements
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation and the unprecedented pressure it is putting on NHS resources, it may take longer than usual for funeral paperwork to be issued.
With this in mind, we would encourage you contact a funeral director as soon as possible. They will discuss funeral arrangements with you and arrange for your relative or friend to be transferred into their care.
There may be some circumstances where we need to relocate your loved one to an off-site mortuary, for example because a funeral director is unable to collect them. We will keep you fully informed of any movement plans.
Contacting the Bereavement Office
Please contact the relevant office.
- Good Hope Hospital: 0121 424 7404 (10:00 - 16:00)
- Heartlands Hospital: 0121 424 1476 (10:00 - 16:00)
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham: 0121 371 2450 (10:00 - 16:00)
- Solihull Hospital: 0121 424 1476 (10:30 - 16:30)
If we're unable to take your call, please leave a message on the answer machine and we will call you back as soon as possible. Please do not come into the hospital.
Registering the death (Good Hope, Heartlands and Queen Elizabeth hospitals)
A medical certificate of cause of death is required before the death can be registered. Once the certificate is ready, we will send a copy direct to Birmingham Registry Office. We will notify you when this is ready and you will then need to complete a "pre-registration of death" form, which you can complete on the Birmingham City Council website.
We will provide the Registry Office with your contact name, telephone number and email address. If you do not have access to the Internet, your funeral director or a friend can complete the form on your behalf, giving your details.
Registering the death (Solihull Hospital)
A medical certificate of cause of death is required before the death can be registered. Once the certificate is ready, we will send a copy direct to Solihull Registry Office.
We will notify you when this is ready and you will then need to contact Solihull Registry Office to arrange to register the death by telephoning 0121 704 8002.
Staying safe
If your relative or friend was coronavirus-positive, it is important that anyone who visited them self-isolates for 14 days and seeks advice from the NHS 111 online service or calls the NHS on 111. This is important for you, your family and the community’s safety.
After death: spiritual care for families
The Chaplaincy team provides spiritual, religious or pastoral care to those with or without a religious faith.
If you are religious, please feel free to ask for the specific support you would appreciate.
For some families, community support through a local place of worship may be available. We can help families make these connections.
Members of the Chaplaincy team are available for support by phone and email if face-to-face support is difficult.
Contact the Chaplaincy team
By telephone
- Good Hope: 0121 424 7676
- Heartlands: 0121 424 1369
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham: 0121 371 4574 / 0121 371 4570
- Solihull: 0121 424 4099
By email
To contact the Chaplaincy team at Good Hope, Heartlands and Solihull hospitals, please email ChaplaincyHGS@uhb.nhs.uk.
To contact the Chaplaincy team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, please email Chaplaincy@uhb.nhs.uk.
Other useful contact numbers
Hospital switchboards
- Good Hope, Heartlands and Solihull hospitals: 0121 424 2000
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham: 0121 371 2000
Coroner
- Birmingham and Solihull Coroner’s Office: 0121 303 3228 (option 1)
Registration services
- Birmingham Registration Service: 0121 675 1000
- Solihull Registration Service: 0121 704 8002
Bereavement support
- Birmingham and Solihull CCG: 0121 687 8010
Last reviewed: 06 November 2024