In Times of Bereavement

 

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In the unfortunate event that a person has passed away, there are three things that must be done in the first few days;

  • Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor (this is necessary to register the death)
  • Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
  • Make the necessary funeral arrangements.

image depicting in times of bereavement

 

Register the death

If the death has been reported to the coroner (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) they must give permission before registering the death.

You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator or the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors.

You can use the ‘Register a Death’ page on the gov.uk website that will guide you through the process. This will also explain the registration process for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

 

Arrange the funeral

The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange a funeral yourself.

 

image depicting bereavement

Funeral directors

Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:

These organisations have codes of practice - they must give you a price list when asked.

Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.

 

Arranging the funeral yourself

Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral yourself.

 

Funeral costs

Funeral costs can include:

  • funeral director fees
  • things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
  • local authority burial or cremation fees

Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.

For free independent advice on bereavement issues, you can find more information at lastingpost.com.

 

Further Information

Bereavement Advice Centre

Bereavement Advice Centre is a free helpline and web-based information service provided by Co-op Legal Services. They provide practical information and advice and signposting on the many issues and procedures that face us after the death of someone close. 

Call 0800 634 9494 or visit the website

 

Care for Grenfell

The Care for Grenfell team has been set up for anyone who has been affected by the Grenfell Tower fire and offers a single front door to access services and support.

Call 020 7745 6414, email careforgrenfell@rbkc.gov.uk or visit the website

 

Child Death Helpline

A helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child in any circumstance, however recent or long ago.

Call 0800 282 986 / 0808 800 6019 or visit the website 

 

Cruse Bereavement Care- Kensington & Chelsea

Cruse provides support by counselling to those who have been bereaved.

Call 020 8964 3455, email kchf@cruse.org.uk or visit the website 

 

Kaleidoscope team – Bereavement play specialist

Provides holistic care through play to meet the emotional, social and cognitive needs of children with life limiting illnesses. This includes improving quality of life and developmental play for children who lose skills due to illness. Play will help children gain confidence and gives them an outlet for frustrations.

Call 020 7266 8840 or email patricia.moorhead@nhs.net

 

Samaritans

Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection. They offer a safe place for you to talk at any point, in your own way.

Call 116 123 or visit the website

 

The Lullaby Trust

The Lullaby Trust provides emotional support for bereaved families, promotes expert advice on safer baby sleep and raises awareness of sudden infant death.

Call 0808 802 6868, email support@lullabytrust.org.uk or visit the website