Regardless of the situation, the death of a colleague is an emotional and distressing time. If you are reading this guide, then please be assured that you are not alone, it is normal to be impacted and grieve in different ways. Support is available to help you through this difficult time.

When a colleague dies in service, it is imperative that we take responsibility for responding appropriately to their death.

Getting this right depends on appropriate, timely and sensitive communication and support to the deceased’s next of kin, as well as colleagues, in addition to a number of essential practical steps that must be taken in a timely way. At all times, we must be mindful not to place any additional or unnecessary distress on the next of kin or colleagues.

These webpages outline support and practical steps that you need to know following the death of a colleague, please work through them in order:

• Step 1: communication with the next of kin
• Step 2: Notifying colleagues of the death
• Step 3: Practical issues and actions you need to take
• Step 4: Looking after yourself and immediate colleagues

First and foremost, you need to gather a team of support around you. A team effort will be required in the days, weeks and months following the death.