Carers Information Pack - Bereavement

If you would like a PDF version of the full pack or individual sections of it, emailed to you please contact us.

When someone dies there are many decisions and arrangements to be made, at a time of great personal distress.  Practical advice and support may be provided by friends, family, doctor, nurse, solicitor, minister of religion or anyone involved with you or the person who has died.  The Funeral Director can also explain about arrangements that have to be made.  Citizens Advice Bureaux can provide confidential, independent advice and information on all aspects of the situation. 

 You may feel you want to talk to someone who is outside your immediate family or with other people who have been through a similar experience, and there are a number of organisations that offer a listening ear or counselling service and others deal especially with people who have been bereaved.

AGE UK  Publishes free information guides including what to do when someone dies. http://www.ageuk.org.uk/Documents/EN-GB/Information-guides/AgeUKIG03_When_someone_dies.pdf?dtrk=true

BRITISH HUMANIST ASSOCIATION Humanist ceremonies organises non-religious ceremonies for funerals, weddings and baby-namings. It is part of the British Humanist Association, the leading UK organisation representing the non-religious.  It provides its members with fellowship and support through newsletters, local groups, campaign networks and conferences. www.humanism.org.uk 

CARERS SUPPORT SERVICE, WORTHING & DISTRICT Can provide useful contact information following a death, and a listening ear.  Can also give details of organisations which offer bereavement counselling. www.carerswsx.org.uk Phone 01903 536378. 

CHILD BEREAVEMENT CHARITY Support for families who have experienced the death of a baby or child, or children who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. http://www.childbereavement.org.uk

CHILD DEATH HELPLINE  Helpline for bereaved parents and anyone affected by the death of a child (of any age) to talk to someone who has been in a similar situation.  The confidential helpline is operated from Great Ormond Street and Alder Hey Children's Hospitals. http://www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk/

CHURCHES AND FAITH GROUPS Many churches and faith groups offer support to people who are bereaved even if they are not members of their community.  Contact details can be found in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet.

COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is an organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children.  They also offer support, advice and information to other relatives, friends and professionals who are helping the family. www.tcf.org.uk 

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE Free and confidential counselling for all people who are bereaved.  There are two local groups, the Friendship Group has a coffee morning Thursday and a social evening on Tuesday.  The Early Bereavement Group, for those recently bereaved, meets for a coffee morning fortnightly on a Tuesday.  One to one counselling also available.  www.cruse.org.uk  For young people www.rd4u.org.uk/

FUNERAL COSTS You can only get help with the cost of a funeral if it appears reasonable for you to accept responsibility for the funeral arrangements and cost.  If you are on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you are arranging, you may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund.  You might have to repay some or all of it from the estate of the person who died.  To possibly be eligible for a payment from the Social Fund you must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.  For further information contact your local Jobcentre Plus office. http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf200_print.pdf

LESBIAN AND GAY BEREAVEMENT PROJECT Run by London Friend, the oldest established LGBT charity in London, this project offers support and practical information to LGBT callers who have been bereaved or are preparing for bereavement.  http://www.londonfriend.org.uk/index.php

REGISTERING A DEATH West Sussex is a unified district.  This means you can register a death that occurred in West Sussex, at any West Sussex registration office.  However this is by appointment only, at Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Chichester, Crawley, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath, Horsham, Littlehampton, Midhurst, Shoreham by Sea, Storrington, Worthing.  http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/living/births_marriages_and_deaths/registration_offices.aspx

SURVIVORS OF BEREAVEMENT BY SUICIDE (SOBS)  A national registered charity for relatives or friends who have lost a loved one to suicide. http://www.uk-sobs.org.uk/

WAY FOUNDATION A self-help group for men and women who were bereaved by the loss of their partner before their 51st birthday.  The main aim is to help those who were widowed young to rebuild their lives by helping one another, whether married or not or with children or not. http://www.wayfoundation.org.uk/

WINSTONS WISH  Winston's Wish helps bereaved children and young people rebuild their lives after a family death. Offers practical support and guidance to families, professionals and to anyone concerned about a grieving child.  http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/

WORTHING BEREAVEMENT CARE Help for bereaved people through the grieving process by providing confidential listening and support.  The service is free and available for people in the Worthing, area as well as Clapham, Ferring, Findon, Lancing, Patching and Sompting. www.worthingbereavementcare.org.uk

This page was last updated 24/04/2012