Death in hospital or care home: who takes care of what?
Introduction
When a death occurs in hospital or a care home, families often find themselves at a loss regarding the steps to take. Unlike a death at home, the care institution handles part of the formalities, but not all. Who takes care of what? Which documents will you receive? How much time do you have to organise the funeral?
This guide clarifies the roles and responsibilities in the event of death in an institution. You will know precisely what the hospital or care home manages, what falls to the family, and the deadlines to respect for transferring the deceased. We also detail the administrative documents provided by the institution and how to organise what follows.
The objective: to enable you to focus on what matters most, supporting your loved ones and honouring the memory of the deceased, whilst knowing exactly what needs to be done, by whom, and within which timeframes. Because even in these difficult moments, clear information makes all the difference.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
In the event of death in hospital or a care home, the institution certifies the death, issues the medical certificate and temporarily preserves the deceased. The family must choose a funeral director, declare the death to the civil registry and organise the funeral within legal deadlines. The institution provides the necessary documents (death certificate, personal effects) and facilitates the transfer, but does not manage administrative or funeral aspects.
📚 Table of contents
- The institution's role at the time of death
- Who takes care of what: division of responsibilities
- Documents provided by the hospital or care home
- Deadlines to respect and transfer of the deceased
- Frequently asked questions in the event of death in an institution
- Informing those around you: publishing an obituary
The institution's role at the time of death
When a death occurs in hospital or a care home, the institution immediately takes charge of the first steps. The doctor officially certifies the death and issues the medical death certificate, an essential document for all subsequent procedures.
The nursing staff then contacts the family to inform them and arrange a moment for contemplation if desired. The deceased is transferred to the institution's mortuary, where they can be kept temporarily.
This initial care relieves relatives during the first difficult moments. The administrative team also notifies the relevant civil registry office, in accordance with legal obligations. You do not have to manage these immediate medical formalities.
Who takes care of what: division of responsibilities
Confusion about responsibilities is common when a death occurs in an institution. Here is a clarification of roles to help you understand who does what.
The institution (hospital/care home) handles the medical aspects and temporary preservation. The family organises the funeral and chooses the funeral service providers. The funeral directors ensure the transfer and organisation of the ceremony.
This division ensures that each party intervenes within their area of expertise. The institution cannot organise the funeral on your behalf, and the funeral director cannot collect the body without your prior authorisation.
What the institution manages
The hospital or care home handles several essential procedures from the moment of death:
- Medical certification of death by a doctor
- Death certificate issued and signed
- Temporary preservation in the mortuary (generally 24 to 48 hours)
- Notification to the civil registry office of the commune
- Return of personal effects with inventory
- Initial support for the family and information about procedures
These services are part of standard hospital care. You have no additional costs to anticipate for these steps.
What falls to the family
Certain responsibilities fall directly to you after a death in hospital:
- Choose a funeral director to organise the funeral
- Decide on the type of funeral (burial, cremation)
- Inform relatives and the deceased's circle
- Complete additional administrative procedures (banks, insurance companies, employer)
These decisions can only be made by the family. To guide you through these first steps, consult our guide on immediate steps after a death in Switzerland.
Take the necessary time for these important choices. The institution generally allows you 24 to 48 hours before the transfer.
Documents provided by the hospital or care home
The institution provides you with several official documents essential for subsequent procedures:
The medical death certificate is the main document. It officially certifies the death and specifies its cause. You will need it for all your procedures: funeral directors, banks, insurance companies, civil registry.
The death bulletin (if applicable in your canton) complements the certificate. The inventory of personal effects lists the items given to the family. A detailed medical report can be requested if necessary for administrative or insurance reasons.
Keep these documents carefully. For a complete overview of formalities, consult our guide on administrative documents after a death.
Deadlines to respect and transfer of the deceased
The legal and practical deadlines vary according to institutions and cantons, but generally follow the same pattern.
Preservation in the mortuary usually lasts 24 to 48 hours. This deadline gives you time to choose a funeral director and organise the first procedures. Beyond this, a transfer becomes necessary.
You must contact a funeral director quickly, ideally within 24 hours of the death. The transfer of the deceased is then coordinated between the institution and the chosen funeral service provider.
Some institutions may extend preservation in particular circumstances (weekend, public holidays, family difficulties). Do not hesitate to discuss this with the administrative staff.
How long does the body remain in hospital?
The standard preservation period in the mortuary is 24 to 48 hours after death. This period allows the family to organise themselves without rushing.
In some cases, an extension is possible: death occurring at the weekend, difficulties contacting the family, time needed for additional examinations. The institution sometimes charges preservation fees beyond the standard period.
This temporary preservation period also serves to allow relatives to pay their respects one last time to the deceased, in a respectful and appropriate setting. Enquire with staff about visiting hours for the mortuary.
How to organise the transfer?
The funeral transfer from hospital or care home follows a precise process:
1. Contact a funeral director quickly (ideally within 24 hours). Compare services and prices if you have the strength.
2. Coordination is established between the institution and the funeral director. You do not have to manage the logistical aspects of the transfer.
3. Choose the destination: funeral home (most common), home in certain cantons, or directly to the ceremony venue.
The transfer costs are generally included in the funeral director's services. Check this point during your first contact to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Frequently asked questions in the event of death in an institution
Can one see the deceased in hospital? Yes, the mortuary is accessible to relatives according to defined hours. Enquire with the staff.
Who pays the current hospital fees? Fees up to the day of death are billed normally. The heirs are responsible for them through the estate.
What to do if death occurs at night or at the weekend? The duty staff manage the immediate procedures. Administrative aspects can wait until the next working day.
Is autopsy compulsory? No, except in the case of suspicious or unexplained death (decision by the doctor or prosecutor).
Can one collect personal effects immediately? Yes, after inventory by the staff. Bring identification.
Informing those around you: publishing an obituary
Once the first procedures after death have been completed, you must inform the deceased's circle. Publishing an obituary remains the most respectful and effective means.
Notices in the press cost between 800 and 2,000 CHF. Wolky offers an accessible alternative at 180 CHF to publish an obituary online, accessible 24 hours a day and easy to share with relatives.
You can publish quickly, add photos and create a memorial page to collect tributes. The process is simple and respectful of your bereavement.
Publish your obituary in a few minutes on Wolky.ch and inform your loved one's circle with dignity.
When a death occurs in hospital or a care home, the institution handles the first formalities: medical certification, preparation of the deceased and temporary preservation. The family nevertheless retains important responsibilities: choosing a funeral director, organising the funeral and collecting essential administrative documents.
The body can generally remain 48 to 72 hours in the institution, which gives you a little time to organise the transfer. Take note of the documents provided by the institution and contact a funeral director quickly to plan what follows.
Beyond administrative procedures, informing those around you remains a priority. Publishing an obituary online allows you to notify family, friends and acquaintances quickly, whilst creating a space for contemplation accessible to all. Wolky supports you through this step with simplicity and respect, for only 180 CHF.
