Bereavement services

The death of a loved one is a difficult time for family and friends.

Our aim is to provide as much support and assistance to bereaved relatives and carers as possible, and we are here to help you through the procedures that need to take place following the death of a relative or friend. We can also advise on practical matters such as who to contact to arrange a funeral, as well as providing information on tissue donation if this is something your loved one would have wanted.

Contact us

We provide sympathetic support and assistance to bereaved relatives and carers to help them through the procedures following the death of a patient at the hospital.</p

We apologise if you connect to an answerphone, as our phone line can be busy. It is essential that you leave a contact phone number so that we can get back to you. Please be assured that we will respond to your message as soon as we can.

Northern (NDDH Barnstaple) bereavement services - we can be contacted between 9.00am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) on 01271 322 404 or rduh.nddhbereavementsupport@nhs.net

Eastern (RD&E Exeter) bereavement services - we can be contacted between 9.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) on 01392 402349 or rduh.rdebereavementservice@nhs.net 

Helpful information

Our Bereavement Information booklets are designed to help you cope with the practical steps following the death of a patient over the coming days or weeks.

The booklet contains information about:

  1. Making contact with a funeral director
  2. Collecting the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death
  3. Dealing with the coroner (if applicable)
  4. Tissue donation
  5. Arranging to see your loved one
  6. Collecting property and valuables
  7. Hospital post-mortem
  8. Registering the death
  9. Other help available

Please click on a booklet to download:

Eastern services

Emergency Department Bereavement Booklet

Ward-Based Bereavement Booklet

Baby Loss Bereavement Booklet

Last updated: October 01, 2024.