St Giles Hospice Lichfield (Whittingham)

What To Do When Someone Dies A Practical Guide for Bereaved Families at St Giles Hospice

The staff and volunteers at St Giles Hospice would like to offer you our condolences on your bereavement.

We generally expect that the death of a close family member or friend can be emotionally distressing. This is normal and natural.

However, until we find ourselves responsible for making the funeral arrangements or helping someone with that responsibility, we may not realise how many practical tasks there are to carry out when someone dies.

This booklet, along with the others in the St Giles Hospice Bereavement Pack, is designed to help you through the first few days and weeks of your bereavement by guiding you through the practical steps you will have to take, and to share information regarding grief and the services which are available to you.

If you wish to contact our Family Support and Bereavement Service please call us on 01543 434536 or email Supportive.Careteam@stgileshospice.com

Contents Practical Guide to Arrangements......................................................................................................... 1 • Registering a Death.......................................................................................................................................... 1 • The Funeral.................................................................................................................................................................. 3 • Letting People Know....................................................................................................................................... 9 • Is there a Will?........................................................................................................................................................ 14 St Giles Bereavement Support Service........................................................................................ 16 • Common Reactions to Grief. .............................................................................................................. 16 • Looking After Ourselves............................................................................................................................ 18 • St Giles Family Support and Bereavement Services. ...................................... 19 • How Children and Young People Grieve........................................................................... 21 • Useful Websites. ................................................................................................................................................... 24 Creating a Lasting Legacy................................................................................................................................. 26 Compliments, Comments and Complaints............................................................................ 27

Practical Guide to Arrangements Registering a Death Following the expiry of the Coronavirus Act in March 2022, registrations of death are now in person with the Registrar’s Office; this should be the office local to where your loved one died and not the one for their home town.

• The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be issued by the hospice or GP practice and they will scan this directly to the registrar. This gives details of the person (informant) to be contacted to register the death.

• The registration staff will then telephone you in order to make an appointment to register the death as soon as possible. This call would be made between 9am-5pm on weekdays only.

• It may be helpful, although not essential, to have the following documents to hand showing details of the person who has died; birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, last address and former occupation, plus any names they have been known by over the years.

The registrar will issue a death certificate to you in the appointment.

They will advise you of the cost for the original certificate and certified copies. You may need to purchase a number of death certificates, depending on how many companies or organisations such as banks or pension providers require you to send them an ‘original’. Please be aware when working out how many you need that official changes can increasingly be registered online or over the phone using the death certificate serial number rather than posting them a paper document.

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The free certificate for burial or cremation, commonly known as the ‘green form’, gives permission for the person who has died to be buried or cremated. It can be scanned directly to your chosen funeral director by the registrar. If you haven’t decided on your funeral director or if you are not using one, you may be able to collect this from the registrar. However, please check this when registering the death.

The registrar will also give you a reference number and further instructions on how to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service that makes it easier to inform Government departments of the death. (Please see page 10 of this booklet for more information about Tell Us Once).

If the death is being referred to the coroner there may be a delay in the above process and St Giles staff will have already explained this to you, should this be the case. The registrar will be able to advise you, as the documents you need to register the death may then be different. The St Giles Family Support Team is available to you during this time if you need us.

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The Funeral Planning Planning the funeral for a loved one is understandably a challenging and sometimes difficult task, coming at a time of emotional strain and alongside so many other official and legal requirements.

It may be that your loved one left you a plan of what they wanted for their funeral service, thanksgiving or celebration of life. If you discussed it together, you may already know which readings, poems, songs, hymns and much more that you and your loved one prefer.

However, if this was something that was not discussed, it can seem difficult to know how to plan. You will need to consider such things as: • Spiritual, religious or cultural beliefs and preferences which may influence the style and content of the funeral.

• Whether to have cremation or burial.

• What type of coffin you would prefer.

• The cost of the funeral and what monies are available for this.

• How to involve children (please contact St Giles Phoenix Service if you would like to talk this through with someone: 01543 434536).

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Spiritual, religious or cultural beliefs and preferences As individuals we have a wide range of beliefs and there are options available for you and your family.

You may wish to contact a minister or civil celebrant who you already know, or your funeral director can suggest names for you. Your minister or chosen celebrant should be able to help give ideas on readings, poetry and could help you to compose a tribute or eulogy.

If you hold particular spiritual, religious or cultural beliefs and preferences, then you can be supported by your local priest/vicar, minister, rabbi or iman in meeting the needs of your family. These arrangements will reflect your own traditions and you will be able to ask about personal options available to you.

You may decide you prefer a service led by a civil celebrant who will be able to guide you through the process and design a service that suits you and your family.

It is also possible for you to arrange a burial or direct cremation where no one attends and then have a thanksgiving/memorial/life celebration event sometime afterwards.

There is no legal requirement for a professional to take your loved one’s ceremony and you may decide to ask someone you know, or do this as a family. In this case you will need to liaise carefully with the place of the ceremony and the crematorium or burial ground since they will each have systems and regulations you will need to comply with.

Once you have decided on a funeral director and your loved one is in their care you might decide you want to spend some time with them in the Chapel of Rest or have them come to your home prior to the funeral date. Your funeral director can guide you. Please note, there is no legal requirement for you to use a funeral director (see page 6).

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The Cost of a Funeral Funeral directors Knowing what you do and don’t want for the funeral will enable you to find a funeral director who can help you with the service and how you want it to be.

The cost of a funeral can often be a concern. It is advisable when looking for a funeral director to ask for an itemised estimate of cost, and we recommend that you ‘shop around’ as costs vary. This may feel uncomfortable. However, as you will realise, there is so much to be sorted out and this is one financial aspect where information can be gathered in advance.

Some families will have to find the full cost of the funeral while others will have paid into a funeral plan. In either case you may be faced with financial decisions – and even the risk of putting yourselves into debt. It is important to stop and consider what you can actually afford, what the person who has died would want for you and how going into debt to pay for a funeral is unlikely to be a good long-term plan for you and your family. It is important not to sign a contract with the funeral director until you have considered how the funeral will be paid for. If you are asked to sign to confirm the arrangements then you are entering into a legal contract and agreeing to be responsible for ensuring that the funeral is paid for. The cost of the funeral has priority over most other debts on the estate.

Please note that the Quaker Social Action website has useful ideas about planning affordable and meaningful funerals.

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Arranging and conducting a funeral without employing a funeral director www.naturaldeath.org.uk or call 01962 712 690 With preparation and planning, anyone wishing to organise a funeral independent of a funeral director will be able to do so. If this is something you are considering, we suggest you contact the Natural Death Centre for free advice and guidance.

Financial assistance with funeral costs Details of funeral benefits, which may be available if whoever is closest to the person who has died is on certain benefit(s), can be found on the UK Government webpage. www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies If you meet the criteria to apply for the Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) this may help to pay for the funeral you are arranging.

– Please go to www.gov.uk/funeral-payments where information on how to complete the benefit application form is available.

– Alternatively, a paper copy of the Funeral Expenses Payment application form with instructions for filling it in can be provided on request from your funeral director or from St Giles.

If there is no one available to make the funeral arrangements or if you are unable to get Government assistance with the costs, then please contact the Bereavement Support Network free of charge on 0808 168 9607 and they can explain what you need to do next.

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Sharing the service with others who cannot attend During a time of bereavement many people want to be comforted by family and friends, so it may be distressing not to have everyone around you due to restrictions on attendance or if distance is a factor.

The following suggestions may help you to think through other options: • Share the funeral details: Tell anyone who would ordinarily have attended the date, time and place. This will enable them to mark the occasion in their own way wherever they are, which may help them in their grief and, knowing they are doing so, could be of comfort to you. You could also send them an order of service so they can follow along at home.

• Webcasting: Many crematoria offer a ‘webcast’ service. The funeral would be filmed and you would be able to provide login details to others so they can watch it live online or for a limited period of time after the service.

• Video conferencing: You can use a platform such as Skype, Zoom or Google Meet to broadcast the funeral for individuals to watch on their own on their laptops/mobile phones. If the Wi-Fi connection is poor for a live video call, consider filming it on your phone or video camera to send to people later. You will need to let those who attend know you are filming the service from the back of the room.

• Voice call or audio recording: We can’t account for how good the sound quality would be, but if no video options are possible you could try making a phone call to someone at the start of the service, and simply placing the phone on the lectern where the minister/celebrant or family and friends will be speaking.

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• Connect with others: After the service, perhaps contact people who could not attend so you can share the experience and both discuss memories of the person who has died.

• Memorial service/celebration of life: These can be held at any time or place where you can invite family, friends and colleagues to come together and share their memories.

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Letting People Know Family, friends and colleagues Picking up the telephone to tell close family and friends or even someone like an employer about someone’s death is usually difficult.

You may want to ask people you trust to let their branch of the family know on your behalf or ask a friend to let members of their social networks know. For someone who was still employed or recently retired, a manager or colleague will most likely know the most appropriate person to be informed in the workplace.

Social networking sites, such as Facebook, may be the equivalent of an address book and email address or telephone contacts will be helpful to you in informing all those who may need (or be grateful) to know that a friend or colleague has passed away.

Organisations When contacting organisations and agencies like their bank, it is always useful to keep an up-to-date list of those organisations you have contacted, who you spoke to and the date of the call.

Many organisations have helpful systems to disseminate the information through, so you don’t need to tell as many people. We have compiled a list of agencies you may need to inform including their web address if applicable.

• GOV.UK (1) Tell Us Once and (2) Property Records This useful website explains and lays out step-by-step the things you will need to do, or have someone help you with over the coming days. www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies This UK Government website includes the helpful service called Tell Us Once.

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• (1) Tell Us Once: www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contactand-tell-us-once This is a free system and the Registrar will give you a Tell Us Once reference number and information on the next steps. Tell Us Once can inform some government agencies of the death and stop any payments that may have been due, such as: •

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) – to deal with personal tax

•

Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – to cancel benefits and entitlements, for example Universal Credit or State Pension

•

Passport Office – to cancel a British passport

•

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) – to cancel a driving licence

•

The local council – to cancel Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support), a Blue Badge, inform council housing services and remove the person from the electoral register

•

Veterans UK – to cancel Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will contact you about the tax, benefits and entitlements of the person who has died.

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Tell Us Once will also contact some public sector pension schemes so that future pension payments are cancelled. These pension schemes are: •

My Civil Service Pension

•

NHS Pension Scheme

•

Armed Forces Pension Scheme

•

Pension schemes for NHS staff, teachers, police and firefighters in Scotland

•

Local Authority pension schemes that participate in Tell Us Once

• (2) Update Property Records To update property records if the person who died owns land or property, please refer to: www.gov.uk/update-property-records-someone-dies • The Death Notification Service www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk This free UK-wide service allows you to notify, all at the same time rather than individually, a number of participating banks, building societies and financial institutions such as some credit card companies, mortgage lenders and life insurance and pensions companies of a person’s death.

Once the relevant banks and building societies have been notified, they will then get in touch with you about the next steps.

It is worth noting that ALL products offered by these firms are covered – so for example, with a bank it’s not just the current account but any relevant mortgage and other products too.

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• Others There will be other companies to inform, such as those listed below. You are likely to need the relevant information such as date of death, full name, account numbers and Death Certificate number.

If the bill comes out of a joint account (which will continue as usual) some of these can wait as the spouse is still able to pay the bills, but a change of name will still be required.

Cable/satellite

House insurance

Car insurance

Internet

Club memberships

Pensions (employer and private)

Trade unions

Professional bodies/trade

Dentist

Return of medical equipment

Electricity

Royal Mail redirection

Gas

Social media

GP Home deliveries

Telephone (landline and mobile) Water

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Social Media Your lost relative or friend may have one or more social media accounts – for example, Facebook or Twitter. You may not be sure what you want to do with these accounts.

Some people want to close them, while others want to convert them into a memorialised account. There’s no hurry to do either. Take your time, talk through the options with friends and family. You can find information on closing or converting to memorialised accounts on most social media websites.

If you wish to do so, you can also create an online tribute site in memory of a loved one, by creating a Cherished Forever Fund. This can be a unique and meaningful way to celebrate the life of someone special and is an opportunity to create a lasting online tribute to remember your loved one. For more information please visit www.stgileshospice.com/how-you-can-help-us/donate-in-memory/ cherished-forever-funds

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Is there a Will?

Article from Marie Tisdale, Probate Specialist Solicitor While some people leave a Will, which leaves legal instructions on how their estate (all their worldly goods) are to be distributed, equally many do not for a variety of reasons, or perhaps the requests in the Will are no longer valid.

On the death of a loved one you do, unfortunately, have to put their financial affairs in order. The first step would be to try and locate a Will. If you are unaware of the existence of a Will then a search through their personal papers may indicate whether or not one is in existence. You may also want to speak to any local solicitors to check if they hold one. There is a national database called ‘Certainty’ which registers Wills, so a chat with them may be fruitful.

If there is a Will then it should appoint executors. These are the people who are legally entitled to deal with the estate and carry out the wishes included within the Will. Probate is only required if the estate is over a certain value. When you notify banks and building societies that the person has died, they will inform you if they will require probate before releasing funds to you. The probate grant application involves applying to the court and completing various tax forms.

The executors can apply online themselves via www.gov.uk/applyingfor-probate, which will help you to work out if you need to apply for probate and when to apply for the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Or they can instruct a solicitor. The legal costs involved will come out of the estate and the solicitors will give you a clear indication of the likely cost at the outset. Help and advice can also be found at Bereavement Support Network on 0808 168 9607 to clarify if you need to apply for probate. The Bereavement Support Line is provided by a company called Bereavement Support Network Ltd, who are experts in probate and estate administration when probate is not a requirement.

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If a Will cannot be found then the intestacy rules dictate to whom the estate passes. Legal advice may be necessary as, although it may not be hugely detrimental, matters can be more complicated if the estate is distributed via the intestacy rules.

More information about this can be found at Bereavement Support Network or through informative websites such as ‘Which’ and the UK Government website. www.which.co.uk/money/wills-and-probate/probate/intestacyrules-ay87y1u73pkk www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will National Bereavement Service www.thenbs.org/probate-legal-services or telephone 0800 024 6121 This service has a list of reputable solicitors who can act on your behalf regarding probate if you wish to contact them.

• Bereavement Support Network www.bereavementsupport.co.uk or call 0808 168 9607 The Bereavement Support Network can help with the dispersal of an estate when probate is not a requirement. They can also help you decide if you need to apply for probate and more.

They provide a service www.stopmail.co.uk which can be useful in ending mail being delivered for the person who has died.

• Money Saving Expert This very practical and well laid out step-by-step guide may help you through the paperwork and legal necessities for families, executors and appointees.

There is a similar guide on The Money Advice Service website. www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/what-to-do-whensomeone-dies 15

St Giles Bereavement and Support Service Grief is a normal, natural and healthy response to loss for people of all ages and cultures as we seek to make sense of what has happened, what this means to us and how we are feeling. However, as unique individuals, we will vary greatly in how we experience and express our grief.

Range of Reactions The range of reactions, whilst normal, can be unexpected and at times overwhelming. We can wonder if what we are experiencing is ‘normal’. Have a look at the picture on the next page which shows common grief responses which might arise singly or in combinations.

It is likely that family members will experience grief differently to each other and this can lead to misunderstandings: • Be prepared to attend to your own grief responses and to listen out for those of others.

• Be ready to share your feelings and acknowledge those of others who may feel differently.

Most people find an inner strength which, combined with support from family and friends, is sufficient to help them manage their distress and the life changes and adjustments which they are facing because of their loss. For others, who feel overwhelmed or very detached, it can sometimes help to seek support.

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Reactions to Grief Mind Map

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Looking After Ourselves As you can see, grieving can impact upon us physically, socially, emotionally, and there may be changes in our behaviour – so it makes sense to look after ourselves in different ways too.

Here are some examples which may help: • Be kind, gentle and patient with yourself. Give yourself permission to have bad days and give yourself permission to have good ones too.

• Your sleeping, eating, thinking, remembering, concentration and motivation will be up and down – remind yourself to eat regularly, try to rest and get some exercise.

• Keep to a routine as this can help you through each day. Have time with family and friends.

• Plan ahead to help to get you through weekends, anniversaries, special days and events that you shared together.

• Try not to push feelings away – allow time for them and accept them as normal. Remember we are all different and it is OK to cry and OK not to cry. You may want to find different ways to express your feelings – for example, through exercising, writing in a journal, or playing or listening to music.

• Keep something that belonged to the person and start a memory box or create a photo album.

• Introduce some pleasant changes into your life. Laugh and have fun without feeling guilty about it.

• Learn how to breathe in a way that helps you to relax.

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St Giles Family Support and Bereavement Service Bereavement affects families and individuals in different ways. Many people will manage their own grief with the help and support of family and friends. Others may find it beneficial to seek outside help, to talk about feelings and what has happened to them with someone they have never met. Often people cope very differently, which can lead to feelings of isolation, and not everyone will have family or friends to support them. The way to understand grief is to try and understand the person who is experiencing it, and the relationship he or she had with the person who has died.

St Giles Family Support and Bereavement Service is made up of a dedicated team of professionals and trained support volunteers, who offer bereavement support services which cater for both children and adults.

Support for Children and Young People Phoenix at St Giles offers support to children and young people under the age of 18 in a variety of ways. We can support children and young people one-to-one or with their siblings. We offer family support for those who have children of primary school age. Understanding the grieving process and the possible changes of behaviour associated with it in children can be confusing and sometimes upsetting for adults. We are here to offer support and guidance during difficult times. Please visit our website for more information: www.stgileshospice.com/phoenix

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For Adults Currently our support for adults includes talking to someone face-toface, on the telephone or online.

Usually, in partnership with other organisations, we run a number of Bereavement Help Points. However, for safety reasons these are temporarily closed and instead we are offering an online Bereavement Help Point. These sessions aim to provide an informal time to talk with other bereaved people and there will be a trained volunteer on hand to facilitate the support. If you would like more information about this please contact us on 01543 434536.

Families whose loved one received support from St Giles are invited to one of our Time to Reflect and Remember services.

These ceremonies, which last approximately 45 minutes, provide an opportunity for you to remember those from your family and community who have died and are followed by refreshments. These are currently online, until services can safely be resumed in person again.

There is also an opportunity to have the name of your relatives or friends entered into our Memorial Book. This book is on display in our Memorial Book Room and Chapel; pages are turned each day to remember our patients who have died on that date in previous years.

Contact us If you or a member of your family feel you would like to talk to someone about these services or any aspect of bereavement support, please contact us on 01543 434536 or email us at sct@stgileshospice.com

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How Children and Young People Grieve Adults can be very concerned about the impact of bereavement on a child in the family.

Grief is a normal, natural and healthy response to loss for people of all ages and cultures, as we seek to make sense of what has happened, what this means to us and how we are feeling.

Like adults, children and young people will vary greatly in the ways they experience and express their grief. Every family and each individual member will grieve in their own unique way.

Keeping the lines of communication open with your children – to enable them to explore their feelings – can help alleviate any anxieties.

How to respond Our experience and feedback from children and young people suggests that the following ways of responding can be helpful to them: • It is OK for you and your children to feel sad, angry, confused, empty, guilty, anxious and many other emotions – and it’s OK if you don’t. But be ready to share feelings with your children. Trying to hide them can cause a child to feel confused and isolated.

• Be ready to listen. Children can suffer irrational fears and guilt, believing that they have done something to cause the death.

• Be ready to acknowledge what is being said without giving advice.

• Be ready to explain and answer questions honestly and clearly.

You may have to do this over and over again, if necessary, in words suitable for the child’s age.

• Be prepared to admit you don’t know all the answers.

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• Avoid giving incorrect information, half-truths or euphemisms – for example: ‘He/she has gone to sleep’ – instead, use ‘dead’, ‘death’, ‘died’.

• Be aware that children may grieve in ways that are unexpected and baffling. A child who seems to be coping may suddenly become clinging, demanding, angry or aggressive. Bad behaviour may be a sign of distress, rather than naughtiness.

• Be ready to involve children and young people in planning and attending funeral ceremonies, but ensure that they know what to expect and have support.

• Be ready to include children and young people in decisions – for example, where the ashes are to be scattered or the wording on the headstone.

• Be ready to offer lots of reassurance. Children and young people need to know that they are still loved and cared for through this difficult time.

• Be ready to keep the memory of the person alive by talking about them, looking at photographs of the person who has died, making a memory box and so on.

• Where possible, try to maintain a normal routine while grieving, encouraging the child or young person to engage in normal and familiar activities.

• Children will often be afraid that someone else is going to die. Try to recognise this feeling and put the fear into proportion.

• Older children will realise that they too will die one day and may feel frightened and anxious or even indulge in reckless behaviour.

• Children can lose themselves in play or activities more easily than adults. This does not mean that they have forgotten. Children need to play and have fun and enjoy life.

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When a family member dies, not only do children and young people have to cope with the loss of the person and their unique relationship, they often experience secondary losses which may occur quite some time after the death – for example, loss of money, or changes at home and school.

A death may bring other changes in a child or young person’s life – for example, in their relationships with family and friends.

Communication with schools can help when there has been a death of a significant person in the life of a child or young person.

Schools need to be informed of significant dates or anniversaries surrounding the death so they are aware why any changes of behaviour or concentration might occur in a child or young person.

St Giles Hospice holds several memorial events and initiatives to support you in remembering your loved one: •

Celebrate Lives Lived in May www.stgileshospice.com/celebrateliveslived

•

Light up a Life in December www.stgileshospice.com/lightupalife

•

Dedicate a leaf on the Memory Tree www.stgileshospice.com/memorytree

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Useful Websites You and/or your bereaved child/young person may find the following websites helpful: St Giles Hospice www.stgileshospice.com UK Government www.gov.uk Public services all in one place – this website has lots of information and links to lots of other sites that you will find useful, including local authorities and the “Tell Us Once” registration service.

Winston’s Wish for grieving children and their families www.winstonswish.org Tel: 08088 020 021 Cruse for bereaved adults www.cruse.org.uk Tel: Free on 0808 808 1677 Cruse for bereaved young people www.hopeagain.org.uk Tel: Free on 0808 808 1677 WAY Widowed & Young www.widowedandyoung.org.uk Child Bereavement UK www.childbereavementuk.org Tel: 0800 028 8840 24

Beyond the Horizon www.beyondthehorizon.org.uk Tel: 0121 444 5454 Edward’s Trust www.edwardstrust.org.uk Tel: 0121 454 1705 Child Death Helpline www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk Tel: 0800 282 986 (0808 800 6019 free for main network mobiles) Open every evening of the year 7pm – 10pm and at various times during the day. A helpline for anyone of any age affected by the death of a child (from pregnancy to adulthood) in any circumstances. All calls are answered by parents who have experienced bereavement.

Samaritans www.samaritans.org Freephone 116 123 (available 24 hours a day) A confidential emotional support service for anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair for any reason, including those which could lead to suicide.

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Creating a Lasting Legacy It costs more than £10 million to deliver the care we provide locally each year and there is a growing need for our services. Care is offered free of charge at our hospice centres in Whittington and Sutton Coldfield, as well as in patients’ own homes across the region. Whilst we receive some funding from the Government, we rely heavily on donations and income generation from the local community.

It is quite usual for people to donate money to a chosen charity rather than order flowers for a funeral that are often left at the crematorium. So if your loved one has requested that donations be made to St Giles Hospice at their funeral, or if you feel that this is something you would like to do, then we can help. Funeral donations are a simple and effective way to support St Giles Hospice whilst remembering and celebrating the life of your loved one. Your funeral director will usually arrange this or we can help you if you contact us on 01543 432538.

We also provide a wide range of services that support our fundraising here at St Giles • Donating goods to one of • Celebrate Lives Lived (annual event) our shops • Light up a Life (annual event) • Furniture collection and • Solstice Walks (annual event) property clearance • St Giles Lottery and raffles • Bridal Boutique • Leave a gift in your Will • Memory Tree There are many fundraising events throughout the year that are organised by St Giles Hospice, such as walking, trekking and cycling or you may want to organise an event of your own and donate the funds raised to St Giles. We will be only too happy to help you in all aspects of this alongside our organised events. Give our Fundraising Team a call on 01543 432538 or email us on fundraising@stgileshospice.com.

You can find more information on the current events on our website at www.stgileshospice.com 26

Service quality We are proud to be rated as ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission. However, we are always open to feedback from those who use our services and welcome comments and suggestions as well as any complaints you may wish to make.

A quality questionnaire is available for anyone to use – please ask a member of staff for details. You can also send any suggestions, comments or complaints to: Supportive Care Director St Giles Hospice Fisherwick Road Whittington Lichfield Staffs WS14 9LH We are regulated by the Care Quality Commission as an independent charity and you are welcome to send any comments to: Care Quality Commission National Correspondence Citygate Gallowgate Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PA

Telephone: 03000 616161 Email: enquiries@cqc.org.uk

St Giles Hospice Whittington Bereavement Booklet Publication date: April 2025 Review date: April 2027

27

It costs more than £10 million to deliver the care we provide each year and there is a growing need for our services. We rely on the generosity of our community to help us deliver our care.

Donate your goods to us By donating quality items to one of our 30 St Giles Hospice shops you can help us raise vital funds for patient care. Our charity shops are delighted to accept donations of items that are in good condition and working order, including: • Clothing, accessories and jewellery • Household items • Unwanted gifts, small electrical goods and bric-a-brac • Books, media, toys and games

To find your local St Giles Hospice shop visit www.stgileshospice.com /shops

Furniture Collection and Property Clearance From free furniture collection* to a complete paid for property clearance, we offer a professional, reliable service raising funds for your local hospice. We are a fully insured, professional and caring charitable organisation, so you know you’re in safe hands with us.

Our services are available by appointment Monday – Saturday.

To arrange an appointment or for more information, please email furniturewarehouse@stgileshospiceshops.org.uk or call us on 01543 483687 Monday to Friday 9am – 4.30pm or Saturdays 9am – 3.30pm. *Please note that we are unable, by law, to accept any item which does not comply with the furniture and furnishings (Fire)(Safety) Regulations 1988. Items arranged for collection will be taken at the driver’s discretion.

The Hospice would like to thank RNS Publications for publishing this information and the following pages contain some features from services offering their help at this time.

Whilst the Hospice is grateful of their support it does not endorse or recommend any of the services that they provide.

STOPPING JUNK MAIL It is distressing to deal with a bereavement and unsolicited mail can be insensitive and destructive during a grieving process.

By scanning the below QR code on your phone or visiting www.stopmail.co.uk, we are able to securely share this information with mailing organisations and under the Data Protection Act the information will not be used for any other purpose.

Other benefits reduce the possibility of identity fraud, such as assumed identity and you will only have to supply the information once.

www.stopmail.co.uk 0808 168 9607 from a landline 0333 006 8114 from a mobile © Bereavement Support Network Ltd 2025

We are committed to honouring your loved one's last wishes. With over two decades of experience, we provide a professional and caring service.

24 Hour Personal Care Burton-on-Trent

Findern

Swadlincote

Barton under Needwood

01283 901 491 01283 901 180

01332 313 625 01283 901 424

murraysfunerals.co.uk

When all you want is either a simple cremation or funeral We understand how expensive funerals can be and specialise in providing a valued service.

In recent years families have increasingly chosen more straightforward options. We can connect you with a local partner who can offer a simple and dignified cremation from £990.00, as well as more traditional funerals where we can add personal touches to reflect your wishes.

CREMATION SUPPORT Supporting families nationally

admin@cremationsupport.co.uk

To discuss how we can provide a discreet and caring service for your loved one and confirm a fixed price:

call

0808 169 8454

Direct Cremation is from

£990.00

Price valid at time of publication but may be subject to change.

Do you need help with

Probate Matters?

You may need help, support or advice on what to do when someone dies in relation to probate.

Freephone: 0808 168 5181 Mobiles:

0333 240 0360

We offer free guidance and advice on the legal and financial aspects of bereavement including your responsibilities and whether probate is required.

Calls are free from most land lines, some calls may be monitored for training purposes and all calls are confidential. This service is provided by the Bereavement Support Network Ltd.

A trading style of Turnside Marketing Ltd

This publication has been jointly developed between ourselves and the hospice. We hope that it has been or will be of help at this time and we welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have.

Please contact us either by phone, email or by post.

RNS Publications, Trium House, Unit 15, Broughton Way, Whitehills, Blackpool FY4 5QN

01253 832400 enquiries@rns.co.uk

Published by RNS Publications © Tel: 01253 832400 R7