Dementia book updates
Ability Training Awards, with Able Training
Walking Alongside, Section 15
After a death in care: confirming death, certification and notifications in England
Last checked: 16 October 2026. Checked by Able Training Support Ltd.
What the book says (October 2026)
Procedures for confirming death, death certification and notifications can change. The book sets out eight steps after a death: expected death, unexpected death, care after death, telling the family, recording, notifying, telling other residents and staff, and looking after yourself and your colleagues.
Current position
- Verifying an expected death. A registered nurse who has been trained and assessed as competent can verify an expected adult death, if their employer's policy allows it. If no one in your setting can, follow your procedure for calling the GP or out-of-hours service.
- Death certification. Since 9 September 2024, every death in England and Wales is either reviewed by an independent medical examiner or investigated by a coroner. The old rule that a doctor must have seen the person in the 28 days before death no longer applies.
- Telling the CQC. Registered providers must tell the Care Quality Commission about the death of a person using their service without delay.
- The coroner. A doctor must refer a death to the coroner if it may be unnatural (for example after a fall, neglect or a medical procedure), the cause is unknown, or the person was in state detention (for example under the Mental Health Act). The doctor makes this decision, but tell them everything you know about how the person died.
Why it matters
A death in a care setting is hard for everyone. Knowing the procedure in advance means you can focus on the person, their family and each other.
What you can do
Know your setting's procedure before you need it. After any death, look after yourself and your colleagues too.
Official sources
Other updates
About these pages. The books Walking Alongside: Understanding Dementia and Dementia Awareness were written by Andy Baker and Meghan Earle and created by Able Training Support Ltd. These update pages are checked and kept up to date by Able Training, and published by Ability Training Awards.
These pages give general information about England. They are not legal or medical advice. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own laws and guidance. Always follow your organisation's current policy, and speak to your manager if you are unsure.
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