Dear Sir,
With interest I read the article by Allyn Hunt in “South of North” in this week Reporter.
Unfortunately the writer forgot to write one important word in the statement: “1) First of all don’t die at home, unless there is a physician present ...”
Incorrect statements like this may cause a world of negative beliefs and incorrect assumptions.
The statement should have been: “1) First of all don’t die at home alone, unless there is a physician present …”
Of course people can die at home, and police will come only if you call them, which you shouldn’t do when somebody has died of natural causes. It is a waste of police time.
When somebody has died of a natural cause, you call either the physician of the deceased or a funeral home. If they think that something is not right they will call the authorities.
People should not die alone but it happens, and even if you have no partner a physician is not needed, a friend or neighbor present is just as good.
If somebody has died alone and is found after 24 hours of the death then an autopsy is mandatory.
If there is no suspicion of a not-natural death, do not call the authorities, but leave the responsibility to the physician who must sign the death certificate, which is part of their job.
Erik L.B. Slebos, consultant for end-of-life issues.