Bereavement Service

When a death occurs on a ward, relatives will be given the Trust booklet entitled ‘What Happens Now - Information for Bereaved Relatives'*. This booklet is an easy guide to what happens next and who you have to contact for information regarding deceased loved ones. Call the Patient Bereavement Service Office after midday and they will be able to assist you. We understand that you may not be able to visit during this panademic crisis, the booklet which you would have been given on the ward is now available to download.

Please be aware that the certificate can take up to three working days to produce. This is because the completion of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, must be completed by a doctor who has been directly involved in the care of the deceased. Therefore, there may be a delay in the completion of the certificate, dependent on the availability of the doctor involved. The team will do all they can to ensure this is completed as soon as possible for you. 

If your loved one passed away whilst in the Emergency Department (A&E) they will be referred to the coroner automatically and the team will provide you with information to explain this. 

Once the certificate has been completed the bereavement team will email it to the registrars in Kent and they contact you on the telephone number that you gave to the bereavemnt team. The registration is done completely by telephone at the present time. 

*please be aware that the booklet was written prior to the pandemic crisis and some services have changed.

• Advise if a death is referred to the Coroner
• Provide you with information regarding how to register the dealth
• Provide you with a medical certificate of cause of death
• Advise you what to do next

Viewing arrangements

We are so sorry to have to tell you that during this current pandemic crisis you are not able to come and view your loved one in the Chapel of Rest. The Bereavement Team will be able to discuss this with you when you call. 

The time ahead may be a very difficult one for you and at Darent Valley Hospital, the Patient Bereavement Services work very closely with the Chaplaincy Team who can provide appropriate spiritual and pastoral care.

During this current pandemic this Friendship Group is postponed.

Friendship group: the Darent Valley Hospital Friendship Group, is a group set up as a meeting place to have a chat, everyone is welcome, nothing formal. For further information please contact 01322 428392 and arrangements will be made for Joan to meet with you.