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 (8 days in Scotland). 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 (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.

Funeral directors

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

• National Association of Funeral Directors
• National Federation 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 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.

• • Cruse Bereavement Support: Offers free, confidential support for adults and children via phone, email, or face-to-face sessions. Call 0808 808 1677.
  • Sue Ryder: Provides online support, including a community forum, video chat counselling, and personalized grief support by text.
  • At a Loss: Offers free live chat with a bereavement counsellor.

• WAY (Widowed and Young): Supports those who have been widowed before the age of 51.

• The Good Grief Trust: Provides a variety of support and resources. 

• GOV.UK: Has information on what to do after a death, including registering a death and funeral planning, and details on bereavement benefits.
• Bereavement Advice Centre: Offers advice on all aspects of bereavement, including legal and financial matters. Call 0800 634 9494.
• National Bereavement Service (NBS){{/nav}}: Provides free, impartial guidance on the practical and legal aspects of bereavement through helpline, email, or webchat. 

• Samaritans: Provides round-the-clock support for anyone in distress. Call 116 123.
• The Silver Line: A free, confidential helpline for older people, available 24/7. Call 0800 470 80 90.
• NHS: Offers guidance on coping with grief and information on local health services.
• Winstons Wish: Provides support for bereaved children, young people, and families. Call 08452 030405.