St John's Hospice

When someone dies Information for families and carers

We are a local charity providing specialist palliative care for patients and support for their loved ones.

They gave us all they had to give, gifts both great and small, but most of all they gave us love, the greatest gift of all.

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Section One - Next Steps 1. What happens immediately after your loved one has died following an expected death?

2. The role of the Medical Examiner Service 3. Finding a funeral director 4. Registering the death 5. Informing other organisations and companies 6. Organising the funeral: your options 7. Sorting out the Will 8. Sorting out a person’s possessions 9. Deleting social media 10. Stopping junk mail to the recently deceased

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Section Two - You & Your Family 1. How are you feeling?

2. How can St John’s help?

3. Talking with children 4. Getting involved at St John’s Hospice

22 22 22 24

Section Three - Additional Support 1. Useful organisations and information 2. Bereavement organisations and information 3. Support for young people 2

Section One - Next Steps 1. What happens immediately after your loved one has died following an expected death?

In the Hospice Inpatient ward: we will ask you which funeral director you will be using and whether your loved one wanted to be buried or cremated. We will then answer any questions you may have.

At home: please contact either the District Nursing service or our Hospice at Home service straight away to verify your loved one’s death (this is different to certifying death). Please do not phone the ambulance service because if your loved one’s death is not verified, they will have to involve other emergency services which can be very stressful. Once your loved one’s death has been verified you can then contact the funeral director of your choice to take over their care.

2. The role of the Medical Examiner Service The Medical Examiner Service is a national service for reviewing all deaths. The Medical Examiner is a senior doctor who is independent and not involved in the patient’s care. With the assistance of the Medical Examiner Officers, they will review all deaths in order to establish a cause of death prior to the issuing of the Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death (MCCD).

After your loved one has died, the Medical Examiner Service will ring you. During this call the Medical Examiner Officer will give you the opportunity to discuss the care and treatment your loved one has received. This is standard procedure.

The service does endeavour to provide you with the MCCD as soon as possible, however sometimes this can take a little longer due to the availability of the doctor responsible and in some cases the Medical Examiner or the doctor most recently involved in their care, may need to speak to the coroner.

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For deaths occurring in the Hospice - What to do next The Medical Examiner (ME) Office will send the MCCD directly to the Registry Office. The ME office will then contact the family to confirm it has been sent, and the family may then phone the Registry office to arrange a time to register the death.

For deaths occurring at home or a care home - What to do next When an expected death occurs at home or in a care home, after they have been verified by the District Nursing or Hospice at Home service, the GP surgery that has been treating your loved one should be contacted, followed by a funeral director of your choice (they are available 24 hours/day, every day of the year) and your faith leader (if required). It would be helpful to indicate whether arrangements are to be for cremation or burial.

The GP practice will contact you when the MCCD is ready and has been sent to your local Registry Office. At this point you will be advised to make an appointment with the Registrars online or by phone.

3. Finding a funeral director It is best to choose a funeral director who is a member of the following: •

National Association of Funeral Directors www.nafd.org.uk

•

Funeral Directory www.funeral-directory.co.uk

•

The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors www.saif.org.uk

These organisations have codes of professional practice and must give you their prices when you contact them.

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4. Registering the death The death should be registered within 5 days, however there are occasions where this is not possible. The Medical Examiner Office or your GP practice will contact you when they are ready for you to register the death.

Registry Office contact details For any questions once the death certificate has been issued phone 0300 123 6705, or you can book an appointment online: Deaths in Westmorland and Furness www.sjhospice.org.uk/death-westmoreland Deaths in Lancashire www.sjhospice.org.uk/death-lancashire Deaths in North Yorkshire www.sjhospice.org.uk/death-northyorkshire NB: These links above have been created to make typing them easier and will forward you directly to the various local authority webpages.

If the death has not occurred in Lancashire, Cumbria or Yorkshire you can still register it at the local Registry Office: Lancaster - Georgian House, 4 Queen Street, Lancaster, LA1 1RS Tel: 0300 123 6705 Barrow in Furness - Nan Tait Centre, Abbey Road, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 1LG Tel: 0300 303 2472 Scarborough - North Cliff House, 69 Burniston Road, Scarborough, YO12 6PH Tel: 0300 131 2131 Section One - Next Steps 5

What do I need to take to register a death?

You will need to take: • • •

The medical certificate of cause of death (MCCD), which will have been signed by a doctor Proof of your own identity, e.g. passport, driving licence, council tax bill, etc.

If you have them it also helps to your loved one’s: ► NHS medical card ► Birth certificate ► Marriage or civil partnership certificate ► Council tax bill ► Driving licence ► Passport ► Proof of address (e.g. utility bill)

What will the Registrar need to know?

A registrar will talk to you in private about the person who has died.

They will ask for: • • • • •

The full name of the person who has died Any previous names, e.g. a maiden name Their occupation The full name, date of birth and occupation of a spouse or a civil partner (even if they are deceased) Whether the deceased was receiving a state pension or other benefits

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The Registrar will then give you: 1. A Death Certificate: This is a certified copy of the entry in the Deaths Register. You will need this as evidence for the Will and when sorting out any financial affairs. It is wise to purchase several copies as photocopies cannot be used for legal purposes. Each copy of the certificate will cost £12.50, so be aware of this when asking.

2. Certificate of Registration of Death (otherwise known as Form BD8): You will need this to send to the Department for Work and Pensions, and this is free of charge.

3. Information about the ‘Tell Us Once’ service: The Registry Office also operates this service which will inform a range of organisations about the death to save you doing so yourself. When you make an appointment to register the death at the local Registry Office, the ‘Tell Us Once’ service will be explained to you. If you choose to take part, the Registrar will set up your loved one’s details on a national database.

A reference number will be given to you and then you can use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service in three ways: • •

Online: Go to the online ‘Tell Us Once’ service at www.gov.uk/tellusonce

•

Telephone: Call the dedicated Department for Work & Pensions helpline on 0800 085 7308

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5. Informing other organisations and companies You will need to contact various organisations to let them know your loved one has died. Some of these may be contacted through the ‘Tell Us Once’ service, but some won’t. You may well need to supply a copy of the death certificate, which will need to be an original. The organisations to be contacted might include your loved one’s: •

GP or any hospital clinics they attended

•

Equipment suppliers if there was anything which was loaned out.

The District Nurses will be able to arrange this for you, if they ordered the equipment

•

Dentist

•

Employer if they were still working, including any trade unions and voluntary work

•

Local Authority for council tax, any social services, disabled parking permit

•

Government agencies e.g. HM Revenue & Customs, Job Centre Plus or Department for Work & Pensions and the electoral services

•

Utilities: gas, electricity, water, telephone, mobile phone, internet providers, TV licence

•

Finance: credit cards, building societies, insurance, investments

•

Banking: most banks now have a team dedicated to help you through this time. You may find it helpful to have the information about your loved one to hand, such as their full name, address, date and place of death, their national insurance number and their NHS number 8

Section One - Next Steps

•

Car: insurance – if you are insured to drive in the person’s name, check with the insurer that you are still covered.

•

DVLA: regarding their driving licence and any road tax which may be paid back

•

Passport office: to cancel the passport and return it if requested.

Tel: 0300 222 0000 or via www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports

•

Library, clubs and associations

To stop unwanted mail, you can contact one of the following: •

The Bereavement Register, either by phone on 0800 082 1230 (there is also a 24 hour automated registration service available) or online at www.thebereavementregister.org.uk or email help@thebereavementregister.org.uk

•

Deceased Preference Service, tel: 0800 068 4433 during office hours or www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk

•

Mailing Preference Service www.mpsonline.org.uk

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6. Organising the funeral: your options

A funeral service can be held in any suitable venue, as an alternative to a place of worship or a crematorium. The service, or ceremony, does not need to be religious – it can include whatever you, and your loved one, wants.

Funeral Directors There is no time limit to have the funeral by: this can be varied to suit your needs, however it is usually around two to three weeks after the death.

You may also be able to make arrangements through your funeral director, and they can help you plan this and let you know what your choices are. It is perfectly acceptable to contact the funeral directors before your loved one has died about your choices, or any time afterwards. They will also transport your loved one from the place of death to their own premises and then to the funeral, burial or cremation, depending on what has been decided. The funeral director can provide a hearse for transport of your loved one and arrange ‘disbursement’ fees, which are fees for cremation, burial, church and any other funeral costs. You will also be able to view your loved one in their Chapel of Rest and choose what clothes they wear. Additional options from a funeral director may include embalming, help with invitations, order of service, flowers and collecting funeral donations.

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. Visit www.humanists.uk for more details.

You can also contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council if you would like to arrange the funeral yourself.

There is also a lot of information online about alternatives to traditional funerals, if you would prefer to explore this.

More information on planning a funeral can be found at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills 10

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Further Information about funerals Information about cemeteries around Lancaster: Tel: 01524 582635 or you can find the information on the council website at www.lancaster.gov.uk Lancaster and Morecambe Crematorium Tel: 01524 848394 South Lakeland Crematorium Tel: 015395 65363 Beetham Hall, Milnthorpe, Cumbria LA7 7BQ Lancaster City Council Bereavement Guide Tel: 01524 582635 or visit www.sjhospice.org.uk/lcc-bereavement NB: The above link has been created to make typing it easier and will forward you directly to the LCC website.

‘What to do after a death’ – free booklet from Job Centre Plus or www.gov.uk/after-a-death Other sources of information General information about funerals and options for what to do with the ashes, and suggestions for readings etc, go to: www.funeralinspirations.co.uk www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk www.funeralguide.co.uk (free online support for the bereaved)

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Paying for the Funeral Funerals can be costly, but funeral directors understand people’s different circumstances and will suggest affordable choices. For a ‘fair funeral price’ go to www.quakersocialaction.org.uk and search the map. These are funeral directors who have signed a pledge to deliver the best possible price for funerals.

If you can’t afford a funeral The local council can arrange a public health funeral if: • There isn’t enough money in the estate to pay for it • There are no relatives or friends available to arrange the funeral This is usually a burial. You can attend the funeral but the local authority will decide the time and the date. There is normally a short service, but extras such as flowers, cars or notices in the local newspaper are not included.

For more information go to Govenment Public Health Funerals: Good Practice Guidance via: www.sjhospice.org.uk/funeral-good-practice NB: The above link has been created to make typing it easier and will forward you directly to the Government website.

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Applying for Funeral Expenses Payment Funeral Expenses Payment is a government scheme for people on a low income who are receiving certain benefits, to help them pay for a funeral. It won’t cover the whole funeral bill. As such, depending on where you live, you might have to pay up to a third of the cost of a simple funeral.

If the person’s estate consisted only of personal belongings and a home they shared with their surviving spouse or civil partner, the government normally won’t claim back this payment.

How to Claim?

You have three months from the date of the funeral to make a claim.

Visit www.gov.uk/funeral-payments for more information on eligibility and how to claim this benefit.

Bereavement Benefits You may be entitled to certain bereavement benefits. These can be obtained through the form BD8 you will have been given by the registrar when you go to register the death of your loved one. You may be eligible for a contribution from the Social Fund towards the cost of a basic funeral. To find out more, you can contact the Bereavement Service of the Department for Work and Pensions on 0800 731 0469 or www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

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7. Sorting out the Will

Ideally, there will have been a Will made and you may know where it is. If not, often a copy is left with a solicitor or bank, and you should contact them for it. There will be an ‘Executor’ to deal with the ‘estate’ (money, belongings, property). If the person did not name an Executor, the court will appoint someone (usually someone named in the Will) to administer the Will.

If a person dies without making a Will, this is called ‘intestate’ and you or a solicitor will need to follow certain procedures. More information is available online at www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate Probate If you are an Executor and entitled to deal with someone’s estate, you will have to apply for legal permission to do so from the Probate Registry (called probate). This may also involve sorting out any inheritance tax due: www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax Probate & Inheritance Tax helpline Tel: 0300 123 1072, www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate You may choose to deal with probate yourself if the estate is relatively straightforward, or you can use a solicitor to help you.

Should you find it helpful to take advice from a solicitor, you can usually have a short consultation after which you can then decide if you will need further help.

The whole process of going through probate may take several weeks or longer.

To complete probate an interview is needed. These interviews are run regularly and once completed, you will then be given a ‘Grant of Representation’ form to give to financial and other organisations, in order to release the estate.

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8. Sorting out a person’s possessions This can be a difficult thing to do, and only you will know when the time is right. If it would be helpful, the St John’s Hospice Shops are happy to take good quality clothing, furniture, homeware and other items to help support the work of St John’s.

Please phone our St John’s Hospice Shops team on 01524 965552 or find your nearest shop via our website, www.sjhospice.org.uk/shops, where donations are welcome. It can be helpful to call ahead to check we have space at your chosen shop – especially if you plan on donating many items.

You can also easily arrange a furniture collection online via www.sjhospice.org.uk/furniture-collection. To find out more on what we can and cannot accept visit www.sjhospice.org.uk/donate-your-items

9. Deleting social media If your loved one had social media pages, such as Facebook or Instagram you may need some help in finding out how to delete these.

You may be able to ‘memorialise’ their profile instead. Talk with family members about which social media sites your loved one used, and contact the relevant help section online.

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10. Stopping junk mail to the recently deceased If someone you know has died, the amount of unwanted marketing post being sent to them can be greatly reduced which helps to stop painful daily reminders.

By registering with the free service www.stopmail.co.uk the names and addresses of the deceased are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as 6 weeks. If you cannot access the internet you can call 0808 168 9607, where you will be asked for very simple information that will take only a few minutes to complete.

Alternatively, ask the bereavement team for a leaflet that can be returned in the post. This free of charge service provided by the Bereavement Support Network will not only actively reduce the unwanted marketing mail but also can help reduce the likelihood of identity theft following the death of someone close. The information is not used for any other purpose and you only have to complete this once.

Additionally to Stop Mail, a comparable service can also be accessed from the Bereavement Register or Deceased Preference Service if you would prefer to use them.

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Section Two - You & Your Family 1. How are you feeling?

In bereavement, each one of us has suddenly embarked on a new, and often painful at times, journey. It is a new journey we may have felt quite unprepared for, and one that may take us into unchartered territory for our thoughts, feelings and emotions.

At first, the shock of loss may have left us with feelings of disbelief: we simply can’t believe that this has happened, and happened to us. We may still expect the person who has died to be there. We still long for them, look for them and may, on occasion, feel we see them. This is natural and, whilst it may be disconcerting at first, some may find it to be reassuring.

We may also, at times, feel numb or have a sense of being on ‘automatic pilot’. And whilst our family and friends can interpret this as ‘coping well’, we ourselves may actually feel the opposite, or just not know quite how we feel. And then there are the physical feelings: we might be sleeping badly, feel exhausted, have aches and pains we hadn’t experienced before, or find it hard to concentrate.

All these are natural responses in bereavement, how our body and mind are designed to cope with this part of our life’s journey. We can experience a whirlpool of intense, confusing and often contradictory emotions.

We may sometimes experience: • • • • •

Feelings of intense grief Feelings of guilt, ‘if only’ …. If only I had said this, if only I had done that Feelings of anxiety, of fear about the future Feelings of anger towards others, towards ourselves, even towards the person who has died Feelings of relief that the pain and suffering has ended

Painful though such feelings can be, they are also part of the healing process. As time goes by, these intense feelings may subside, and we might come to a time of flatness, depression or loneliness.

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We might also feel a loss of our own identity and purpose in life.

Grief is not an illness, though it can perhaps feel like one, and we need not to be frightened by some of the feelings and emotions we may experience.

Gradually we can begin to realise that we have our own lives to live without the physical presence of the person who has died. This realisation is not a betrayal, for we will never forget them, and they will always be a part of us, in our hearts and our memories, and in how they have shaped our lives.

Each of us will travel the journey of bereavement in our own way, and we may be surprised how long that journey takes.

Along this journey it may help to share your feelings with those who can help – a family member, a close friend, or it may help to talk to someone outside the family. We may wish to check if our experiences are similar to others, or discuss different ways of managing the coming weeks or particular events, or just simply release our feelings.

Suggestions that may help: • • •

Try sharing your feelings with those who can help Try to eat and rest well Try not to make major decisions (eg housing, finance, relationships) too soon, or be rushed into them

In time, your own journey may again become more peaceful and serene, with hope renewed.

If you feel you need more support, please visit your GP who can discuss suitable support options for you.

The staff caring for your loved one will make a call to the patient’s main contact a few days after their death to see how you are.

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2. How can St John’s help?

We are here to continue to help you in many different ways. Our Family Support Team at The Forget Me Not Centre offers bereavement support to adults, children and families linked to the Hospice.

Bereavement team The Bereavement team is part of the Family Support team. Our Bereavement team provides an opportunity to share and explore your thoughts and feelings in confidence. We can also provide practical information, or help put you in touch with other organisations that can give you additional extra help if that is appropriate.

Grief Café Our monthly Grief Café is a free drop-in session and takes place at the Courtyard Café at St John’s Hospice on the second Tuesday of each month, from 4.30 to 6.00pm. This is an informal time of company and support for those recently bereaved.

Time to Remember Time to Remember is a remembrance ceremony we regularly hold at the Hospice. If you have consented to receive contact from St John’s, you will be invited to attend the ceremony during which, if you agree, the name of your loved one will be read out. You will also be given the opportunity to light a candle in their memory. This is a special time for people who haven’t visited the Hospice as their loved one was cared for at home, and for people who haven’t visited the Hospice since their loved one died.

Light Up A Life Every Christmas we organise these events in locations across the area St John’s cares for. This is an opportunity to remember any loved ones whether they were cared for by St John’s Hospice or not. You will be invited to light a candle and to remember your loved one.

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If you feel you would like bereavement support or advice from the Hospice, please contact the Family Support Team at: Tel: 01524 382538 Email: sjh.familysupport@sjhospice.org.uk Website: www.sjhospice.org.uk/bereavement-support St John’s Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster LA2 6ST

3. Talking with children As adults we often try to protect one another through illness and bereavement. We often feel the need to protect children from what is happening for fear of upsetting them or concern that they may not understand. However, children do have huge resources and ability to cope with such times of crisis.

Children may in fact find it harder to cope if they are not told what is happening, because of their fears and their imagination. Children do appreciate being told the facts, and in a simple and straightforward way appropriate for their age. Do use words such as ‘death’ and ‘dead’ rather than ‘lost’ and ‘asleep’. Encourage them to ask whatever questions they want, and give them time and plenty of reassurance.

Your own children or close family and friends’ children may find it helpful if you share your own thoughts and feelings with them, as it will help them to understand their own feelings and that it is OK to be sad and upset. Some children find it helpful to draw or paint pictures, or to write a poem, when someone dies, to express their feelings that way.

Do also keep those at school aware of your situation.

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4. Getting involved at St John’s Hospice Some bereaved families like to continue to be involved with and support the Hospice in different ways.

Below are some suggestions of ways to be involved with St John’s Hospice and make new memories. It’s your choice if you would like to be involved.

• • • • •

Some people like to dedicate a leaf on The Memory Tree in the Hospice in memory of their loved ones.

Some families find comfort in having some of their loved one’s clothing made into Keepsake Cushions to have as comforting reminders.

Some people like to volunteer at the Hospice, although we do suggest waiting a short while before starting this.

Some people like to support our Hospice events.

Some people like to do their own fundraising in memory of their loved ones.

If you want any more information on volunteering please call the Hospice and ask for the Volunteer department.

For further information on The Memory Tree, Keepsake Cushions, supporting Hospice events or running your own event, please contact the Fundraising team.

All can be contacted on 01524 382538.

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Section Three - Additional Support 1. Useful organisations and information AGE UK Practical support, advice and information Tel: 0300 303 12 34 www.ageuk.org.uk Citizens Advice (CAB) Advice on benefits, tax and money management Tel: (Lancaster) 01524 481508 Tel: (Kendal) 03444 111 444 www.northlancashirecab.org.uk Carers UK Advice and support for carers, including in bereavement Tel: Advice Line 0808 808 7777 www.carersuk.org Government website Information about public services, including tax, benefits, probate www.gov.uk Samaritans Confidential support for any person in despair or feeling suicidal, 24 hours a day support Tel: 116 123 www.samaritans.org

2. Bereavement organisations and information Bereavement Support Bereaved Parents Network Help and support to those who have lost a child of any age Tel: 0292 081 0800 www.careforthefamily.org.uk 22

Section Three - Additional Support

Bereavement Advice Centre Advice on any benefits, tax or probate issues Tel: 0800 634 9494 www.bereavementadvice.org Child Bereavement Charity Support on the death of a child, or when a child has been bereaved Tel: 0800 028 8840 www.childbereavementuk.org Child Death Helpline Support for anyone affected by the death of a child Tel: 0800 282 986 www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk The Compassionate Friends Help to parents and siblings of children who have died Helpline: 0345 123 2304 www.tcf.org.uk Cruse Bereavement Care Information, advice and support to all bereaved people Helpline: 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk GriefShare Carnforth based caring group - people who “walk alongside you” Ring Elspeth on 01524 702966 www.griefshare.org/findagroup London Friend LGBT Bereavement Helpline Support and practical information to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people who have been bereaved or facing bereavement Helpline: 020 7833 1674 www.londonfriend.org.uk

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Way Foundation Helps the under 50s who have lost a partner www.widowedandyoung.org.uk

3. Support for young people Childhood Bereavement Network Information, support and guidance for bereaved children and young people www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk Childline Helpline 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk Cruse Bereavement Care for children and young people. Website support designed by young people for young people Tel: 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk/children The Mix Offers essential general support for under 25s. Crisis messenger service available 24 hours a day plus free counselling service Helpline: 0808 808 4994 www.themix.org.uk Hope Support Services Support for young people 5 - 25 dealing with a family member diagnosed with a life-threatening illness www.hopesupport.org.uk Winston’s Wish For bereaved children, young people and their families Helpline: 08088 020 021 www.winstonswish.org 24

Section Three - Additional Support

We need your furniture Donate your pre-loved furniture to St John’s Hospice Shops to help support YOUR local hospice.

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“ I’ll Always

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St John’s Hospice care of our Dad meant we could be a family together.

Rob & Jen, Bolton-le-Sands

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Help local families create memories that will last a lifetime by remembering St John’s Hospice with a gift in your Will Visit sjhospice.org.uk/wills or call our Head of Legacies, Section Three - Additional Support 25 to find out Liz Edmondson, on 01524 382538 more.

The Memory Tree is located in the heart of our Hospice in the reception area and provides a very special welcome to patients, their families and our visitors. It is adorned with stunning metal leaves in autumn colours – copper, silver and gold – that are engraved with special and heartfelt tributes.

Each leaf that is dedicated to the memory of a loved one helps us to make a difference to people with life-shortening illnesses and their families.

The Memory Tree is a wonderful tribute to those lives we wish to celebrate and remember.

St John’s Hospice

The

Memory Tree

To dedicate a leaf or find out more visit sjhospice.org.uk/memorytree

St John’s Hospice has partnered with Much Loved, a platform that allows families to set up online tribute pages in memory of their loved ones. A tribute page offers a dedicated space to honour that special person by sharing photos, videos and memories with friends and family.

Your page will stay open indefinitely and can be updated at any time, be that on a birthday, anniversary, or just when needed. Pages are free to set up and friends and family have the option to make donations to St John’s Hospice and any other charity that you wish to support in your loved one’s memory.

You can also use your Much Loved page to create an online funeral notice — this can be set up by yourself or by a funeral home on your behalf.

To set up your Much Loved page, visit stjohnslancaster.muchloved.org/creatememorial

3 ways to help, get involved & support your local hospice St John’s Hospice is a charity. The care we provide to patients and families is free of charge, but it is not cost free to deliver. Around 25% of our funding comes from the local NHS, the remaining 75% comes from people like you in our community.

There are many different ways you can support your local Hospice. A donation of any size will make a positive difference - it means we can work around the clock supporting patients and families during one of the most difficult times people face.

Here are some of the ways you can support the work of our staff, who work tirelessly to provide care, compassion and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

1 2 3

Activities for your family and friends St John’s organises a range of fundraising activities and events to suit individuals and families whatever your hobbies are.

You can enjoy yourself and support a great cause whether it’s a walk, race, trek, afternoon tea, visiting our shops or more - the choice is yours.

Easy ways to contribute It’s easy to support your local hospice from home: a small amount each month can support our vital work. Choose to play our lottery from only £1 a week or make a regular gift with our Regular Giving scheme.

You can also leave a gift in your Will to ensure the work of St John’s continues - it is simple to set up, one of our partner solicitors or your own can help.

Donations Making a simple donation to St John’s Hospice is a great way to ensure that our care can continue. Simply visit our website www.sjhospice.org.uk/donate to donate directly to us by card. Alternatively, donations can be made via a cheque to ‘St John’s Hospice’.

Visit our website for more information, to donate or join in: www.sjhospice.org.uk/fundraising or email fundraising@sjhospice.org.uk St John’s Hospice North Lancashire and South Lakes is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England with charity number 1157030

Reference: St John’s Hospice Bereavement Booklet R8 Review Date: August 2027 Publication Date: August 2025

We wish to thank the advertisers and

sponsors, without whom this publication would not have been possible.

The Hospice, however, does not endorse

any of the products or services they provide, and whilst these are correct at the time of

publishing, the information contained may be subject to change.

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Further Information & Contact Information St John’s Hospice is here to support you if needed, now or when you feel the time is right.

You can contact St John’s Hospice via: 01524 382 538 Additionally you can contact the Family Support Team directly: 01524 551195

www.sjhospice.org.uk St John’s Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST St John’s Hospice is a local charity and the palliative care we provide to patients and families is free of charge to those who receive it, but it is not cost free to deliver.

Around 25% of our funding comes from the local NHS, the remaining 75% comes from people like you in our community.

If you would like to find out how you can support St John’s Hospice please visit our website.

Large print and other formats available on request.

May 2025 St John’s Hospice North Lancashire and South Lakes is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England with charity number 1157030