St Josephs Hospice BB

What to do when someone dies Practical advice and information

Bereavement Support at St Joseph’s Hospice All of us at St Joseph’s Hospice would like to express our sympathy to you, and your family and friends, following the loss of your loved one.

The death of someone close can be one of the most distressing experiences anyone has to face. Decisions need to be made at a time when you may have confusing thoughts, feelings and emotions. It is so easy to become overwhelmed and we hope that this booklet will help to make things a little clearer and easier for you by outlining what needs to be done, and when.

If you have questions about any aspect of bereavement that haven’t been answered in this booklet, you need additional support, or you would just like to reach out and talk to someone about what you are experiencing, please contact our family support worker who will be more than pleased to help you.

0151 932 6032 / 0151 924 3812 Monday - Thursday, flexible hours Please leave a message or email Jackie.walsh@stjhospice.org.uk and we will get back to you as soon possible.

St. Joseph's Hospice, Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UW Registered Charity Number

T: 0151 924 3812

Contents What happens now?......................................................................................................................................... Page 1 Registering the death.................................................................................................................................... Page 3 Arranging the funeral.................................................................................................................................... Page 6 Paying for the funeral................................................................................................................................... Page 7 Bereavement benefits.................................................................................................................................. Page 8 Who needs to be told.................................................................................................................................... Page 9 Tell us Once ...................................................................................................................................................................... Page 10 Stopping junk mail.............................................................................................................................................. Page 11 Items that need to be returned............................................................................................... Page 12 Experiencing grief................................................................................................................................................. Page 13 Remembering your loved one..................................................................................................... Page 15 Other ways you can support the hospice........................................................... Page 20 Useful contacts........................................................................................................................................................... Page 21 Your notes.............................................................................................................................................................................. Page 24

What happens immediately after someone has died at the hospice You do not have to do anything straight away, except spend as much time as you need with your loved one.

When you are ready, let the nursing staff know that you will be calling your chosen funeral director (or ask a member of the nursing staff to call on your behalf) to arrange to collect your loved one. Please let them know if your loved one is to be buried or cremated.

The hospice staff will inform the GP, district nurse, any specialist teams and /or social worker.

The hospice nursing staff will ask you to gather your loved one’s personal possessions together and take them safely home. Our staff will be happy to help you with this. The doctor at the hospice will electronically send the appropriate documentation to the Medical Examiner’s (ME) office which will be reviewed by the ME officer (this will take a couple of days).

The ME officer will contact the significant other, as noted on the documentation, to discuss the proposed cause of death and establish if they have any concerns with the care the deceased received that could have impacted or led to the death.

This is to give the family a chance to voice any issues or concerns with regard to the proposed cause of death. Once the ME has completed the review with you, they will electronically return the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) to the doctor at the hospice. The doctor will then complete the certificate and send it back to the ME to sign off and forward to the Registrar’s office.

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The MCCD is a legal document which enables the Registrar to register a death. All deaths which occur at our hospice are reviewed by the Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner is an independent doctor who reviews the proposed cause of death and the accuracy of the MCCD. There may be a delay if the death needs to be reported to HM Coroner’s Office (see page 3).

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Registering the death Once it has been signed off by the Medical Examiner (ME), a copy of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) will be forwarded on to the local registrar at Waterloo Register Office.

The registrar will then contact you directly to book an appointment for you to collect the death certificate from them.

A death must be registered within 5 working days unless it has been reported to HM Coroner.

It can be helpful to ask for a number of copies of the death certificate to send to relevant organisations not covered by the Tell us Once service (see page 10).

For more details on where and how to register the death, see pages 4-5.

Please note: A death cannot be registered without the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death being completed.

What happens if HM Coroner is involved?

In some circumstances, the death may, by law, have to be referred to the coroner. This could happen when the cause of death is unclear or where there is concern about the potential of a work-related disease being involved.

Although a referral may have been made, after reviewing the situation, the coroner may give permission for the doctor to issue the medical certificate.

If the cause of death is unknown, or the coroner feels that further investigation is necessary, the coroner’s staff will keep you informed and will support you.

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Where to register a death Death registration appointments will take place at Waterloo Register Office.

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Below is some useful information that you will need to know to complete the registration.

Who can register a death?

• A relative of the deceased • Someone present at the death • The person making the funeral arrangements (not the funeral director) Please note, if English is not your first language you may prefer to take someone with you to help.

What needs to be taken to register a death?

• Date and place of death • Full name and surname of the deceased • Date and place of birth • Occupation (even if retired) • Usual address • The full name, date of birth and occupation of their spouse or civil partner (if applicable) During the death registration appointment, the registrar will go through the information with you, and you will need to carefully check all spellings of names before you sign the registration and the certificate is produced.

If you are unable to register the death in Sefton: You can register the death with an alternative registration office.

Further details will be available on the council website and via the government website: www.gov.uk/register-a-death.

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Arranging the funeral You do not have to wait until the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has been issued to make contact with a funeral director.

It is important for you to decide which funeral director you would like to oversee the care of the person that has died as soon as you are able to after the death.

Your chosen funeral director will advise you of the options and discuss with you the arrangements you wish to make.

You may also wish to discuss funeral arrangements with your relatives and friends, or your religious faith leader, to provide you with support.

If the death has been reported to HM Coroner, you should not set a date for the funeral until you have received the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death, or until HM Coroner has indicated that you may do so.

The documents required for the person to be cremated are different to those required when the person will be buried.

Once you have provided this information to the hospice, the paperwork will be completed and we will contact the funeral director of your choice.

With your consent we will also pass on your details to enable the funeral director to make contact with you. The funeral director will be an invaluable source of information and support regarding all aspects of funeral care.

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Paying for the funeral If you are organising a funeral, you should ensure that you have the funds to pay for it.

If you are finding it difficult to pay for a funeral that you have to arrange, you may be entitled to receive a Social Fund Funeral payment from the Department for Work and Pensions, providing you or your partner receive Income Support or other meanstested benefits.

Financial advice The funeral director will be able to provide some guidance if you have concerns regarding funeral costs.

For further information, see www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

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Bereavement benefits You may be able to claim some benefits, depending on their National Insurance contributions and age, such as: Bereavement Support Payment If your wife, husband or civil partner has died. www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/how-to-claim Guardian Allowance If you are bringing up a child whose parent has died. www.gov.uk/guardians-allowance/how-to-claim Funeral Expenses Payment If you are in receipt of other benefits. www.gov.uk/funeral-payments Some benefits have time limits for claiming, so it is best to make enquiries as soon as you are able, but it can be confusing and may seem like a huge task when you are grieving.

If you need to, or you don’t have online access, please contact our family support worker on 0151 932 6032 who will help you as much as possible.

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Who needs to be told about a death?

You will probably want to let family, friends and neighbours know of the death right away. There are several other people and organisations who may also need to know including: Done Government organisations e.g. HM Revenue & Customs, DVLA (see Tell us Once service on page 10) Family Doctor, Dentist and Optician Banks, credit card companies, building societies where accounts were held Social Services (home help, home care) Mortgage Provider or Landlord Employer and Pension Providers Solicitor/Executors of the Estate (Wills) Insurance companies (life/car policies etc.)

Utility companies, e.g. electricity, gas, telephone, water rates etc.

Schools, Colleges or University attended Clubs and membership bodies Post Office (for redirecting mail) and www.stopmail.co.uk (see page 11)

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Tell us Once When someone has died, there are lots of things that need to be done, at a time when you probably least feel like doing them. This will include contacting Government departments and local council services that need to be informed.

Tell us Once is a free government service that allows you to report a death and tell central and local government.

The organisations that are told through this service will trust that the death has already been legally registered, and you will not have to show them the death certificate. The information will be used to update records, end services and benefits, and to resolve any outstanding issues.

The registrar will give you a unique reference number for the Tell us Once service. You can then complete it either online at www.gov.uk/tell-us-once or call 0800 085 7308.

If you cannot use the Tell Us Once service, you will need to contact each organisation individually, depending on your loved one’s circumstances. These may include: Organisation HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) National Insurance Contributions Office Child Benefit Office Tax Credit Office Department for Work and Pensions Armed Forces Pensions Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) HM Passport Office

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Stopping junk mail When 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 at www.stopmail.co.uk, the names and addresses of the deceased are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as six weeks.

If you cannot access the internet, you can call 0333 006 8114, where you will be asked for very simple information that will take only a few minutes to complete.

This free service, provided by the Bereavement Support Network, will not only actively reduce 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. In addition to Stop Mail, a comparable service can also be accessed from the Bereavement Register or Deceased Preference Service.

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Items that will need to be returned: Medication is the responsibility of the carer or family and will need to be returned to a local pharmacy for disposal.

Done Pension/Benefit books Driving Licence Passport NHS/Hospice equipment on loan Drugs and medication to your local hospital/pharmacy National Insurance card

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Experiencing grief There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Your relationship with your loved one is unique and so your grief may be different to someone else’s, even to that of your own close family members.

You may feel shock, numbness, disbelief. You may experience overwhelming sadness, intense questioning, and frightening anxiety. You may feel guilt and anger or you may feel relief and freedom, and you may feel these at different times to those around you.

Grief can be isolating and also exhausting, even when you’re surrounded by family and friends. You may not be able to sleep, or you may need more sleep. You may need to eat more, or you may not feel like eating very much.

You may feel confused, overwhelmed and unable to concentrate at times. You may also not be able to focus on tasks and may feel unable to ask for help because your family are grieving too.

Understanding your emotions, thoughts and feelings can be scary, painful and difficult, and it is sometimes easier to ignore them, carry on as normal or bury them deep inside. It is especially hard because the one person you may want to talk to is no longer with you. Finding someone you trust can be beneficial in expressing how you are feeling and what you are thinking, and we would encourage you to talk to a trusted family member or friend.

Alternatively, you may prefer to speak to someone outside of your family and friends circle, someone who has no connection to you or your loved one.

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At St. Joseph’s Hospice, we offer practical and emotional support, and a listening ear, giving you a completely confidential space for you to speak about your loss.

Although we cannot provide individual support for children, we can provide you with written information or signpost you to organisations that can.

Contact our family support worker on 0151 932 6032 if you feel you need support.

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Remembering your loved one…

Making a donation in memory of a loved one is a way of celebrating their life, and it helps us to continue the very special care we provide to our patients, their families, and carers.

We have many ways in which you can remember a loved one; these are highlighted below.

Funeral and Memorial Collections Collecting donations in lieu of flowers at a funeral or memorial service is a wonderful way to remember someone and continue their legacy. We can help you to collect donations in person and online.

There are two main ways to collect donations at a funeral.

You can: • •

Collect donations online by setting up an online tribute page Collect donations in-person at the funeral or memorial service

We can support you by providing collection tins and envelopes.

In Memory Donations You can make a donation anytime to the hospice in the name of your loved one in a variety of ways: • You can donate on our website: www.stjhospice.org.uk • You can donate by debit or credit card by calling our fundraising team on 0151 932 6044 / 6046.

• You can send a cheque to St Joseph's Hospice, Ince Road, Thornton, Liverpool L23 4UE. • You can pop into the hospice with your donation.

To make your donation a regular gift, you can join our regular giving campaign by setting up a monthly donation.

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Adopt a Tree We have 12 acres of beautiful, peaceful woodland right here at St. Joseph’s Hospice and we invite you to adopt a tree in their memory and to celebrate the life of your loved one.

If you would like to adopt a tree, please feel free to explore the grounds at your leisure and find a tree that is right for you.

Then just pop in and visit the fundraising team in the coach house to finalise the details.

Every family who adopts a tree will receive a wooden heart to attach to the tree with a personalised message to celebrate the life being remembered.

A donation of £500 is suggested to Adopt a Tree, which includes a personalised plaque for 5 years. This plaque is yours to keep after the 5 years.

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Light up a Life Every December, we invite our local community, staff, and hospice patients and families to join us for special Christmas services where you can dedicate a light on the Christmas tree in memory of your loved one and also leave a message on our tree.

In contrast to what can feel quite hectic in the run-up to Christmas, our services are a chance to pause, reflect, and remember.

Each light on our tree is dedicated in memory of someone special, so whether you gather with friends and family, or come alone, we will support you during what can be a difficult time of year.

As a family, you can also have an individual 6ft. Sparkle Tree within the grounds of the hospice dedicated to your loved one for the month of December.

We suggest a minimum donation of £200.

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Pool of Remembrance You can dedicate one of the bricks in our beautiful pool of remembrance. Just choose the wording you would like on the brick and we will do the rest.

The Pool of Remembrance is a lovely, peaceful place to sit and be with your memories.

A donation of £500 is suggested for a brick in our Pool of Remembrance, which includes a personalised brick for 5 years.

Fundraise In Memory We have many events throughout the year, with many people choosing to take part in memory of a loved one.

From an abseil off Liverpool Cathedral to skydiving, taking part in a local run or learning to dance in Strictly St Joseph's, there is a challenge for everyone. Alternatively, you can choose to take part in your own challenge which is more personal to you and your loved one.

We will support you every step of the way.

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How to contact the hospice fundraising team To make a donation or to find out how you can support the hospice, please contact us at fundraising@stjhospice.org.uk or call us on 0151 932 6044 / 6046.

All our events and campaigns are advertised on our Facebook page, on our website at www.stjhospice.org.uk, and in Your Hospice magazine, which can be downloaded from our website.

Alternatively, you can join our mailing list to receive a postal copy of our magazine by visiting our website or speaking to a member of our fundraising team. Visit www.stjhospice.org.uk/ contact-us/communication-preferences.

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There are others ways you can support the hospice…

Professional House Clearance Service Clearing a loved one’s home can be a daunting and emotional task, we can help with this.

We offer a full house clearance service, run by our charity retail team and their volunteers, who will go in and empty every single room and take it all away, where possible, for recycling.

We do have to charge for this service, however, all proceeds go towards funding the care we provide.

Charity Shops Our ten charity shops are a really valuable source of income for the hospice, which goes directly towards caring for our patients and their families. Our charity shops rely on people donating good quality items. We need a wide range of goods – from jewellery, clothes, toys and books to knick knacks and even furniture.

For a list of our charity shops, please visit www.stjhospice.org.uk/contact-us/communication-preferences Volunteering Over 200 volunteers currently support the hospice, providing crucial support behind the scenes, in our shops and supporting the fundraising team.

Volunteering can be an enriching experience. Not only does it provide an opportunity to do something which benefits others, it also brings with it a sense of personal fulfilment and worth.

Volunteering also provides opportunities to use your skills in many ways and learn new ones.

If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteering@stjhospice.org.uk

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Useful addresses and telephone numbers: Local Support: Age UK Mid Mersey The Mansion House, Victoria Park, St Helens, WA10 2UE 0300 003 1992 www.ageuk.org.uk/midmersey/ Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848 www.citizensadvice.org.uk Listening Ear Counselling Service 0151 488 6648 enquiries@listening-ear.co.uk Liverpool Bereavement Service 0151 236 3932 / 07928 890 967 enquiries@liverpoolbereavement.co.uk www.liverpoolbereavement.com Liverpool Council 0151 233 3000 www.liverpool.gov.uk Sefton Council 0345 140 0845 www.sefton.gov.uk Waterloo Register Office 0151 934 3044

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National Support: Carers Trust Tel: 0300 772 9600 www.carers.org Child Bereavement Tel: 0800 028 8840 www.childbereavementuk.org The Compassionate Friends (UK) Tel: 0345 123 2304 www.tcf.org.uk Cruse Bereavement Care Tel: 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk Department for Work and Pensions Tel: 0800 731 0469 www.gov.uk Department for Work and Pensions Bereavement Service Helpline Tel: 0800 151 2012 Macmillan Cancer Support Tel: 0808 808 0000 www.macmillan.org.uk

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Marie Curie Tel: 0800 090 2309 www.mariecurie.org.uk The National Association of Funeral Directors Tel: 0121 711 1343 info@nafd.org.uk Pension Tracking Service www.gov.uk/find-pension-contact-details The Samaritans Tel: 116 123 www.samaritans.org Stopmail Tel: 0333 006 8114 www.stopmail.co.uk Sue Ryder www.sueryder.org/ WAY Widowed and Young Tel: 0300 201 0051 www.widowedandyoung.org.uk Young Persons Freephone Helpline Tel: 0808 808 1677 www.hopeagain.org.uk

Reference: St Jospice's Hospice Bereavement Book Review date: April 2028 Publication date: April 2026

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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.

Please note, whilst information is correct at the time of publication, this may be subject to future change.

STOPPING JUNK MAIL If someone you know has died, we can reduce the amount of unwanted marketing post being sent to them, stopping painful daily reminders.

By registering with our free service, the names and addresses of the deceased are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as six weeks.

Call: 0333 006 8114 OR

Visit our website: www.stopmail.co.uk bereavement support network stop mail

here to help

Calls are charged at standard landline rates. Calls from mobiles are included in inclusive call packages. © Bereavement Support Network Ltd 2026

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

Do you need help with

Probate?

You may need help, support or advice on what to do when someone dies in relation to probate. It may not always appear obvious if it will be required.

Call: 0333 240 0360 We offer free guidance on the legal and financial aspects of bereavement including your responsibilities and whether probate is required.

You may need to establish whether a property is held in joint names or tenants in common, we can perform a simple check at no cost to establish the title deeds.

This service is provided by

bereavement support network here to help

Connecting you with managed and D.I.Y. Probate Solutions Calls are charged at standard landline rates. Calls from mobiles are included in inclusive call packages.

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