Bereavement support
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. You will then receive the necessary documents for the funeral.
– Make the necessary funeral arrangements.Register the death
If the death has been reported to the coroner, 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.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:
National Association of Funeral Directors
Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
These organisations have codes of practice – they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own 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.
Edward’s Trust
Edward’s Trust provides holistic family bereavement services supporting children, young people and parents across the West Midlands.
Phone
0121 454 1705
Website
www.edwardstrust.org.uk
Email
admin@edwardstrust.org.ukSands
Sands exists to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, to improve the bereavement care received by parents and families, and to promote research to reduce the number of babies dying.
Phone
0808 164 3332
Website
www.sands.org.uk
Email
helpline@sands.org.ukBirmingham Bereavement Advice Service
Birmingham Bereavement Advice Service and helpline were created as part of the Birmingham Bereavement Care Project.
Phone
0800 634 9494
Website
www.bereavementadvice.org/birminghamThe Bereavement Help Point
For anyone who has been touched by grief, past or present, directly or indirectly. There will be information on how to cope with all aspects of losing a friend or relative.
Phone
01213 786290
01543 434536