"Being respectful of the relatives of the deceased"

I received a phone call in the morning to say my relative was nearing their last moments, I jumped in to the car and headed off to the hospital, lots of ambulances waiting outside A&E. I joined the queue to reception anxiously waiting, a helpful volunteer eventually directed me to majors and the room in which my relative was.

I noticed the butterfly on the door, but not knowing what it meant I went in as I was directed to the room and left. Unfortunately no one had told me they had already passed over, which was a shock, when I stepped out of the room there were staff laughing and joking loudly at a desk nearby, I felt incredibly distressed at this 

A nurse spotted me outside the room and realised what had happened,  they were apologetic and took me to a quieter room with a cup of tea and biscuits to help me calm down, and arranged for the doctor to explain what had happened, who was compassionate and answered my questions fully giving me the time and space I needed. I can't remember the doctor's name but they were amazing.

The nurse asked me if I wanted to know what happened next and provided me with a helpful booklet answering all my questions, and gave me as much time as I needed never rushing me. No request was too much. The nurse helped me cut some hair and take hand tracings of my relative, and when I become overwhelmed held my hand,  giving me a safe space to grieve. I spent quite some time in the department, as I didn't feel ready to leave, I could hear conversations between other staff saying they wanted the room. My nurse reassured me and gave me probably a lot longer than they should have and when I started to cry on leaving hugged me and offered to walk me out of the department to my car,  a walk I dreaded alone. 

This nurse truly was an angel on earth, without them the entire experience would have been traumatic. I understand it's a busy department but as an outsider looking in other staff should be respectful of the relatives of the deceased. Laughing and joking so close to my loved one felt disrespectful, the room itself was off slightly from the department and somewhere more peaceful so should be treated as such.

As with reception, I think there should be a way to bypass the queue of people going through.

I want to say a special thank you to the nurse who supported me. I will never forget the love, care and dignity you showed me and my relative. Thank you so much.