Waiting Period After Home Death — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

Correct answer: E — The family remains with the body at home; there is no urgency. The nurse’s verification allows contact with the funeral director, and the GP will attend later to complete the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)

Explanation lettering: D = shown as C · C = shown as D

In the UK, when an expected death occurs at home, a trained nurse may verify death. That verification enables the funeral director to be contacted and to remove the body—no requirement for immediate GP attendance or body transfer to hospital ([royalfree.nhs.uk](https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/what-do-following-expected-death-patient-home?utm_source=openai)). The GP (or out‑of‑hours doctor) later completes the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), but absence of immediate certification does not delay funeral arrangements or require paramedic attendance ([royalfree.nhs.uk](https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/what-do-following-expected-death-patient-home?utm_source=openai)). Options A–D reflect common misconceptions but are inconsistent with clear UK policy.

Reference: Royal Free London leaflet “What to do following an expected death of a patient at home” (2024), and Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust policy on verification of expected death (2026). https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-leaflets/what-do-following-expected-death-patient-home