Finding out cause of death...

RedvGreen · 15 Oct 2018 at 16:27

Very sorry for your loss, it will get easier with time, but she won't be forgotten.

As someone who has very recently been dragged through this process...

The Police will only get involved if a Doctor is unable to issue a cause of a death (such as, a condition that was suspected but not proven - i.e. too weak/infirm for a biopsy/operation; or if it was totally sudden and unexpected). Police are classed as Coroner's Officers and will often be connected to the Coroners court at your local courthouse or council offices. Police would call Coroners to arrange for hospital to collect the body to take for a PM, and they are there only to make sure the law is acted out in full, and no cowboy doctor issues a certificate unlawfully if there is any suggestion of unexplained or unexpected death.

Once the hospital has the body, a PM is performed by a pathologist who will then write a very scientific, if not graphic, explanation of everything biological and physical with the body. Any samples, such as fluids, growths, objects/fibres/materials will be sent off for testing - this process took 4 months for our case. Once results return, the Pathologist will complete his/her report and send to County Coroner. They will then establish, with facts, testimonials and statements, the cause of death. The inquest we attended was quite relaxed and not as formal as you may expect.

Once a Coroner has ruled on the cause of death (99% of the time agreeing with the Pathologist), they will send the cause to the Registry Office to update records. Shortly after, Death Certificates can be issued. County per county, may differ, but ours is on an exponential increase of certification cost. First certification 'bunch' is £4 each, second 'bunch' £7 each, and thereafter £21 per certificate. So it is often better to buy as many as you may need from the get-go. Our case involves an Asbestos claim against industry for 'Mesothelioma' death, so it is likely to be different to other cases, but the rough Coroner process is the same.

Good luck and I hope you find the answers and peace in what you seek.

Maccy · 15 Oct 2018 at 17:02

Don't have much to add mate other than sorry for your loss. Hit me up if you need a chat or distraction.

SexyGreyFox · 15 Oct 2018 at 17:50

Evangelion said:
Coroner's report.

I deal with Coroner's every working day, have you any idea how long it can take to have an inquest?
On the Coroner's request for Clinicians Reports they will state what they think is the Cause of Death (although things could change after an inquest)

Sankari · 15 Oct 2018 at 20:23

SexyGreyFox said:
I deal with Coroner's every working day, have you any idea how long it can take to have an inquest?

As I understand it, an unattended death automatically triggers an inquest (it does in Australia, and surely the UK too?) So the coroner's report should already be available.

DB_SamX · 15 Oct 2018 at 21:14

SOrry for your loss, bud.

dowie · 15 Oct 2018 at 21:25

Sorry for your loss

andi · 15 Oct 2018 at 21:56

I'm sorry for your loss.

If your mum had been ill, her GP may have signed a death certificate, in which case there'd be no involvement from the police or coroner.

If the death was unexpected, the police will attend and carry out a preliminary investigation to ensure there was no foul play, then forward a report to the coroner's office.

I can only speak fir my area, but here, Greater Manchester is split into four smaller areas each covered by a coroner, and the police have specialist liason officers who work with the coroners. They're usually available to assist with any questions or queries and will liase with family. I'm sure if you contact the appropriate coroners office and explain the circumstances they'll do their best to assist.

SexyGreyFox · 15 Oct 2018 at 22:13

Evangelion said:
As I understand it, an unattended death automatically triggers an inquest (it does in Australia, and surely the UK too?) So the coroner's report should already be available.

That is correct but an Inquest can take up to 6 months or way longer in some cases because of the amount of work that needs to be done.
For starters we may need 10 reports from 10 Clinicians and they are allowed 3 weeks each.
It can also be a while before we get the request from the Coroner, 3 months is not unheard of.
The death can be reported to the Coroner but it may not end up being an Inquest.

This is why the best action is:
1) GP
2) Hospital > Pathology > Post Mortem
3) Coroner

Apologies OP, you must be so upset but I'm trying to give the best advice I can.

Steedie · 16 Oct 2018 at 08:07

@SexyGreyFox I really appreciate the information you’re posting

Steedie · 16 Oct 2018 at 08:20

Well...turns out I don’t have to go through the process of finding out.

Got a call this morning to tell me it was suicide, which is what I was really hoping it wouldn’t be. I preferred not knowing

Now I just feel even worse, and almost partly responsible because of how alone she must have felt in the end with having no-one, and her own kids not wanting anything to do with her.

Anyway, thanks for anyone that posted advice and information, I really do appreciate it and also any condolences posted x

dirtychinchilla · 16 Oct 2018 at 08:38

Sorry for your loss. It's very hard to accept, but this isn't your fault. Your mother made her own decision and there was nothing that you could have done to prevent it.

I've known a couple of people close to me to commit suicide and the fact is that they make their mind up and they do it. It's not a call for help, they just don't want to live any more.

The best thing you can do, in my opinion, is reach out to anyone else who you might be concerned about and let them know that you're there for them.

Hades · 16 Oct 2018 at 08:49

My condolencies.

Jamesyboyjim · 16 Oct 2018 at 16:14

Who told you it was suicide? Could it be your sister who may be trying to upset you?

Steedie · 16 Oct 2018 at 16:42

@Jamesyboyjim My step-sister went and saw her at the coroners office and they told her

Well, they said it's not confirmed, but with how they found her and the items around her...I don't think they need much confirmation

wedrum · 16 Oct 2018 at 16:43

ah balls thats terrible bud, life sucks sometimes.
try to keep positive.

darael · 16 Oct 2018 at 16:52

Deaths tend to bring families together....until it comes to money and possessions.

SexyGreyFox · 16 Oct 2018 at 17:50

Steedie said:
@SexyGreyFox I really appreciate the information you’re posting

Others have also been helpful.

So sorry to hear the cause of death and I hope you get an answer why she did it.
My family is still mourning the suicide of my nephew from around 3 years ago because he left no reason and we haven't had closure because of it.

ak22 · 16 Oct 2018 at 17:56

Steedie said:
Thanks everyone for the replies, really appreciate it.

Not sure how I feel at the moment. Saturday I was upset but since then I just don’t feel anything. I almost feel guilty that I’m not feeling more upset or sad. It’s almost just regret that I didn’t get a chance to reconcile.

It might hit me later on but for now, I only feel sad if I stop and think about it

Sorry for your loss may your mother rest in peace its strange I felt the same, I was devastated on the day when my father died the next day i felt nothing...not sure if its the right word.

When ever i remember my father i try to remember the good times we had it helps a lot.

Sankari · 17 Oct 2018 at 04:09

Steedie said:
Well...turns out I don’t have to go through the process of finding out.

Got a call this morning to tell me it was suicide, which is what I was really hoping it wouldn’t be. I preferred not knowing

Now I just feel even worse, and almost partly responsible because of how alone she must have felt in the end with having no-one, and her own kids not wanting anything to do with her.

Anyway, thanks for anyone that posted advice and information, I really do appreciate it and also any condolences posted x

So sorry to hear that. My father committed suicide when I was 16 years old. Don't be surprised if you feel strangely numb for a while. The grieving process is a complex one, and there's no 'right' way to experience it.

clubb699 · 18 Oct 2018 at 09:02

Steedie said:
Well...turns out I don’t have to go through the process of finding out.

Got a call this morning to tell me it was suicide, which is what I was really hoping it wouldn’t be. I preferred not knowing

Now I just feel even worse, and almost partly responsible because of how alone she must have felt in the end with having no-one, and her own kids not wanting anything to do with her.

Anyway, thanks for anyone that posted advice and information, I really do appreciate it and also any condolences posted x

So sorry to here this

The above post is spot on was thinking the same, it can hit you when you will not expect it.