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.

Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/

hands
help

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

probate

FINANCIAL MATTERS

For information from Citizen's Advice about dealing with the financial affairs of someone who has died click HERE 

Citizens Advice hold weekly sessions at Neetside Community Centre in Bude or contact as below:

Tel: 0800 144 8848

Website: 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/

bereavement

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.

Website: https://ease-animals.org.uk/pet-loss-support/

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

 

 

Healing

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/

Leaflet

heart

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/