When Someone Dies.

[Tilly2]

Could some one please tell me about post mortems, inquests, coroners reports and so on. I don't understand what happens when someone dies suddenly after having been discharged from hospital.

I don't understand the jargon.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Tony.

[tonyav]

Your welcome, Tilly. I know how you feel.

[dzug2]

For 'natural causes' to go on the death certificate the coroner has to agree with the doctor on that point. He may or may not carry out a post mortem to confirm it, depending on what evidence is presented to him. An inquest would only be held if the post mortem gave cause for concern

[Peter Pedant]

To a certain extent your family can control a bit of this

Like the patient may have expressed a wish to go home and then the carers found they couldnt cope. IN that case take the cert and continue with burial.

OR

they may feel this was a helluva surprise -
in which case they need to contact the consultant in charge of the case and also phone the coroner and allege mismanagement - pointing out that re-admission under thirty day is a indicator of mismanagement, can he do a post mortem and or inquire into the cause of death.

and of course - no 3
where some family members say let it lie.... it wont bring her back
and others say
there is something wrong with this - I know there it is cover-up !


My family usually fall into category 3

[boxtops]

Tilly, big hug.

IME, a post mortem and inquest has only been held when the person has died unexpectedly. If the person has been under the care of a doctor in the previous couple of weeks (which your relative had), then (usually) the cause of death is known from the notes (e.g. if it had been something anticipated). My parents were the same - my dad was due to be readmitted on the following morning, he died before he got there - but they knew what he'd got, so no need to investigate further. "Natural Causes" sounds to be if it was just the end of their time in this life.

[Peter Pedant]

"Natural Causes" sounds to be if it was just the end of their time in this life.
or
sounds if they have no idea....

remember you are getting this second hand and we are... third hand

[Tilly2]

Category 3 here too, Peter. You have explained the situation perfectly. Thank
you.
Thanks to boxy and dzug, too.

[ummmm]

Tilly, my uncle died alone aged 67. They kept his body for 3 weeks. They said natural causes but the coroner said they have no idea how he died. He went to sleep and never woke up...

I'm sorry for your loss :-(

[Tilly2]

Thanks, ummmm. My relative had an undiagnosed chronic illness and now has an 'undiagnosed' death. We never will find out what was wrong with her.

[boxtops]

Tilly, how do you know it was undiagnosed, if it wasn't diagnosed?

[Peter Pedant]

eek that is a bit philosophical ....

as in .... if something is unknown - how do you know anything about it ?

My head hurts....

IN my family it is more basic - the last time we had an unknown death, I commented, I thought he was the one with ca colon and pulmonary embolus ? and the relative said - yeah but we dont know why he died....

[Tilly2]

Boxy, you've lost me there.

[boxtops]

Tills, you said "My relative had an undiagnosed chronic illness " - we're not sure how you know this, if the illness hadn't been diagnosed? - or do you mean that she had something the matter with her, but nobody knew what it was?

[Tilly2]

Yes, boxy. That's what I mean.

[boxtops]

Ah.....

[Daffy6543]

My mum died in february from a massive heart attack, as she wasn't found for 3 days they did an autopsy, coroner gave cause of death as myocardial infarction caused by severe and chronic atherosclerosis. This is 'natural causes' but it doesn't use that term anywhere on the death certificate.