Bereavement Advice
WHAT TO DO WHEN SOMEONE DIES
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. You’ll get a ‘certificate for a burial’ to give to the funeral director, or an application for cremation which you need to complete and give to the crematorium. You must do one of these before the funeral can take place.
- Make the necessary funeral arrangements.
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. This can happen if the death is sudden or unexpected.
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.
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, order of service etc.
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors should list all these costs in their quotes.
Further information and support can be found at CRUSE by calling 0808 808 1677.
National Bereavement Service
Every bereavement is different and there are different processes dependent on your circumstances.
Telephone: 0800 0246 121
Website: www.nationalbereavementservice.org
For a downloadable leaflet about living with grief by NBS please click HERE
CRUSE Bereavement Support
Grief can be overwhelming. You don't have to deal with is alone. CRUSE offer fabulous personalised support from experienced grief and loss counsellors. Chat support also available.
Telephone: 0808 808 1677
Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/
PROBATE
For a downloadable information leaflet, produced by the National Bereavement Service and all about PROBATE, click HERE
Cornwall Bereavement Network
Hub of agencies working to support people who have experienced loss in Cornwall. Excellent service with access to a full directory of bereavement services in the southwest.
Website: https://www.cornwallbereavementnetwork.org/contact-us/about-us/
Survivors Of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
Charity who exist to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide. All those answering the calls have experienced this type of loss themselves. Open 9am-9pm, 7 days a week
National Helpline: 0300 111 5065
Website: https://uksobs.org/
PETE'S DRAGONS
Pete's Dragons has a passion for making sure those impacted by suicide are supported. The Dragons are a team that have experienced the aftermath first-hand and worked together to ensure that all those impacted by suicide in Devon and North Somerset have access to timely and appropriate support.
Tel: 01395 277780
Website: HERE
Cornwall Hospice Community Services Bereavement Support
Cornwall Hospice offer a range of free support services for those experiencing bereavement and loss.
Listening Ear Service: offer 6 calls of up to an hour for those who are feeling isolated by the loss of a loved one. Please note this is not a counselling service but offers signposting and a listening ear.
Virtual Community Friendship Cafe: on-line support space available through Facebook for those who want to meet online.
Walk Talk Kernow: a new walking group starting walks in April 2022, encouraging social connection whilst walking in nature.
For all groups:
Telephone: 01726 829874
Website: https://www.cornwallhospicecare.co.uk/our-community-services/
HOPE WALKS
Hope Walks is a free walking group, run by Cornwall Mind for people who have been affected by the loss of someone close to them who may have died by suicide – this could be a family member, a partner or a friend. Groups meet at venues near Bodmin, Newquay, Truro and Helston, usually from April to September.
Call: 01208 892 855 and speak to Rob
Website: HERE
For a leaflet click HERE
ATALOSS
Information hub helping bereaved people find support and help with their wellbeing
Tel: 07736 949869
Website: https://www.ataloss.org/
BRAKE
Charity supporting people bereaved and seriously injured by road crashes.
Tel: 0808 800 0401
Website: https://www.brake.org.uk/
SCARD
Providing support and care after road death or injury. Includes emotional support and practical and legal information.
Helpline: 0345 123 5542
Website: https://www.scard.org.uk/index.html
BLUE CROSS
Pet bereavement and pet loss service. All free and confidential, using phone, email or webchat.
Tel: 0808 096 6606
Website: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss
EASE
Pet bereavement and pet loss support organisation, recognising the depth of the human/companion animal relationship and understanding that one of the greatest challenges for guardians is when this bond is broken through death or separation. Podcasts to download and listen to. Contact via website only.
HOLSWORTHY BEREAVEMENT CAFE
Meets at Holsworthy Youth Centre 2-4pm every alternate Thursday of each month. The community-led group is supported by a qualified bereavement counsellor, Lucy, and is open to anyone experiencing loss, either recent or in the past.
Donations are welcomed to help with running costs, but not obligatory.
Tel: 07756644480
Email: lucy@griefspecialists.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/208710928898507
SAYING GOODBYE
Saying Goodbye provides comprehensive information, advice, support and much more to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
Part of Mariposa Trust.
Tel: 0300 323 1350
Website: https://www.sayinggoodbye.org/
MARIPOSA TRUST
A leading support charity working in the field of baby loss and bereavement.
Tel: 0300 323 1350
Website: https://www.mariposatrust.org/
WHAT MATTERS?
To access a newsletter from Cornwall Hospice, for anyone approaching or planning for end of life and for those who are bereaved go to:
What Matters? - Autumn 2023 edition
PENHALIGAN'S FRIENDS
Supporting bereaved children, young people and their families in Cornwall. Active on social media.
Tel: 01209 210624
Website: https://penhaligonsfriends.org.uk/