Losing someone close to you is not easy. It is often overwhelming, and dealing with practical matters can seem unmanageable.

You have time to say goodbye

You have time to make the right decisions. You don't need to make any decisions regarding the funeral/interment within the first 24 hours.

Until the funeral/interment, the deceased will be in the chapel at Hvidovre Hospital. You are welcome to come and see the deceased in the chapel. It can be helpful to see the deceased and bid them farewell. If it feels frightening or difficult, it may help to have a close friend, family member, or nurse present.

Practical tasks and regulations

Either you or the undertaker can contact the priest or church officer. You will need to provide the deceased's personal information and indicate whether the deceased is to be buried or cremated.

Questions regarding the funeral/cremation should be addressed to the Parish Office or the undertaker. Using an undertaker is not obligatory, but it can be helpful.

Death certificate

The hospital doctor will issue an electronic death certificate. The death certificate will be handed over from the hospital's chapel to the person responsible for the funeral/cremation.

A copy of the certificate will be sent to the Danish Health Authority, which registers the death in the Cause of Death Register.

The certificate contains information about the deceased's personal details, the time and place of death, the doctor's declaration of inspection, and information about the cause of death. If an autopsy has been performed, the doctor's observations will also be included.

Personal belongings

Clothing and other personal belongings will be handed over to the closest relatives by the hospital staff. Otherwise they will be stored at the Information desk by the main entrance. You can pick them up Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Valuables is to be kept at the hospital until the Probate Court has issued a probate certificate. Afterward, the hospital can release the belongings to the relatives upon presentation of the certificate.

Tell your loved ones how you feel

Tell your loved ones how you feel and how they can help and support you.

If grieving becomes too difficult to handle, you can seek help from your doctor and possibly get a referral to a psychologist.

You can also find support from a priest or a religious figure, such as an imam or rabbi, depending on your religious community.

Additional information

The Danish Association of Funeral Directors

Contact

Hvidovre Hospital
Telephone: 38 62 38 62

Chapel, Hvidovre Hospital
Monday to Friday at 8.00-14.00. Telephone: 38 62 21 36

Hospital chaplain
Hvidovre Hospital Monday to Thursday at 9.00 - 15.00 Phone: 38 62 22 84 Thursday - Friday at 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Phone: 38 62 03 87 www.hvidovrehospital.dk/hospitalspraest

Probate Court Copenhagen (Skifteretten København)
Phone: 99 68 73 40

Ethnic Resource Team - support for patients with a different ethnic background (Etnisk Ressourceteam)
Phone: 35 45 42 06 www.ressourceteam.dk/

The Danish Cancer Society’s (Kræftens Bekæmpelse)
Phone: 35 25 75 00 www.cancer.dk

Insurance information (Forsikring)
Phone: 41 91 91 91 www.forsikringogpension.dk

DaneAge Association (ÆldreSagen)
Phone: 33 96 86 86 www.aeldresagen.dk

The Life Line (Livslinien)
Phone: 70 20 12 01