Willowbrook Hospice Bereavement Book

What to Do When Someone Dies Practical advice and information

All of us at Willowbrook Hospice would like to express our sympathy to you and your family/friends for 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 can make clear what needs to be done, and when.

If you have questions, about any aspect of bereavement, that haven’t been answered in this booklet, please contact our Bereavement Support Team on 0151 430 8736 or bereavement@ willowbrookhospice.org.uk Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm who will help you find the answers you need.

Bereavement Advice Centre can also offer information and advice on a wide range of issues surrounding bereavement at www.bereavementadvice.org or you can call them on 0800 634 9494 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

Everyone here at Willowbrook works to help improve the quality of life for the people we care for, their families and our wider community. All of our care is provided free of charge to those who need it.

If you would like to be involved with the hospice in any way please contact us: Willowbrook Hospice Portico Lane Prescot Merseyside. L34 2QT 0151 430 8736 general@willowbrookhospice.org.uk www.willowbrook.org.uk All information in this booklet is correct at time of printing and may be subject to change.

BOOKLET CONTENTS: When someone dies at the hospice ������������������������������������1 When someone dies at home ����������������������������������������������5 What do I need to do next? �������������������������������������������������7 Medical Examiner Service

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What happens if the coroner is involved? �������������������������10 What happens if the deceased person wanted to donate organs or tissue for transplantation? ��������������������� 11 How do I register the death? ���������������������������������������������12 Returning medical or other assistive equipment ���������������17 Social Media and digital assets �����������������������������������������18 Funeral arrangements �������������������������������������������������������19 Other resources that might be of help when planning a funeral ��������������������������������������������������������������21 Paying for the funeral ��������������������������������������������������������23 Solicitors, Wills & Legal Matters ����������������������������������������27 Tributes and memorials �����������������������������������������������������28 Local Funeral Directors �����������������������������������������������������30

WHEN SOMEONE DIES AT THE HOSPICE What happens immediately after someone dies at the hospice?

You may react in one of many ways; there is no right or wrong way for people to behave when they are with someone who dies, or when they are told of a death. Our inpatient unit staff and bereavement support team are here to support you in whatever way you need.

If you would like help in telling other relatives of your loved one’s death we can do that for you. Likewise if you want a priest or other religious leader to attend the person who has died, we will help with contacting them for you.

There are a number of steps that need to be completed by law. The first is called the verification of death which will be completed by a doctor or specially trained nurse. This process includes making sure there are no signs of life, confirming the deceased person’s identity and the date & time they died.

Once you and other family/friends are ready the nursing staff will ‘lay out’ the body. Sometimes called performing the last offices, this usually involves washing the person’s body, maybe giving someone a shave, cleaning their mouth, dressing them in clean clothes etc… If you would like to be present when this is done or would like to help please tell a nurse and they will support you in this.

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Your religion/cultural preference might mean that someone other than nursing staff should perform the last offices. We would usually have discussed this with you and your loved one before they have died so that we can best support you.

Even if it hasn’t been discussed before death, we will still do all we can to ensure your loved ones body is cared for in a respectful and appropriate way.

If you are the next of kin, you will be asked if any jewellery your loved one is wearing is to be removed or whether you want them to continue wearing it. If it is to be removed, nursing staff will return it to you. If a next of kin is not present when a person passes away, any valuables/personal belongings will be stored securely to be collected at a more convenient time.

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Will I be allowed to spend time with my loved one after they die?

It is completely up to you whether you would like to see the body of your loved one after death. If this is something you want to do, we will give you the privacy you need for as long as you need it.

For any family members that were not able to visit before death it can be helpful to view the body and spend time with the loved one who has passed away. Viewing the body is possible in the immediate hours after death. Please ask the nursing staff for further information.

For various reasons you may be unable to view a loved one’s body before they are taken into the care of a funeral director. If this is the case, your funeral director will let you know about making arrangements to visit your loved one whilst they are in their care.

Should children be allowed to see a body?

Children and young people may tell you they want to see the body. At a time when you are likely to be struggling with your own feelings, making a decision as to what will be helpful for your children can be so difficult. If a child wants to see the body after death it can help both now, and in the future, with coming to terms with the death. If you want to discuss this decision the ward staff and Bereavement Co-ordinator are happy to help.

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Willowbrook Hospice works in partnership with Child Bereavement UK, an organisation that helps children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. They offer support in a variety of ways and will work with children and young people who are facing the loss of a parent or anyone else who is important to them, as well as supporting families after a loss.

They also offer information and advice on a range of issues such as viewing a body with your child and how to tell a child/young person that someone is not expected to live or has died.

We have a range of Child Bereavement UK information sheets that might help or you can take a look at their website www.childbereavementuk.org. For any further support you can contact them on 0800 02 888 40 or via live webchat Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

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WHEN SOMEONE DIES AT HOME Although you may have had the support of community nurses, carers, doctors, therapists etc whilst your loved one has been ill, there is no guarantee that any health professional will be with you when they die. This can be worrying for you and, in the heat of the moment, you might panic. The first official phone call you need to make is to the G.P. of the person who has died, who will then arrange a visit to confirm the death. If the death happens at night or out of surgery hours, when you call the surgery you will be given an out of hours service number. When you call that number, explain that you need a health professional to verify a death – this means they will confirm that death has taken place.

If your loved one has been cared for by a district nursing team you should also have their contact details to let them know they have died. Sometimes the district nurse will contact the GP on your behalf, so if you are unsure what to do, call the district nursing team first and they will guide you through the next steps.

You may already have agreed with your G.P. or nurse that calling for an ambulance will not be necessary when your loved one passes away. If you are unsure what to do then take advice from your GP or district nurse when you call them.

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When the death has been verified, you can telephone a funeral director or religious leader. The funeral director will take the body of your loved one into their care at your request. If you prefer to keep the body at home until the funeral, for cultural or personal reasons, they will be able to advise you about this.

The G.P. will issue a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), providing there is not a coroner’s investigation.

This certificate will be sent electronically to the Registrar of the deceased person’s local council.

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WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT? The law states that all deaths need to be registered. For you to do this a doctor needs to issue a Medical Certificate that states the Cause of Death (MCCD). If the person has died in the hospice this certificate will be completed by a hospice doctor. If your loved one has died at home the certificate will be completed by their G.P. The only exception to this is if a death is referred to the coroner. See below for What happens if the coroner is involved?

Once a doctor has completed the Medical Certificate stating Cause of Death (MCCD) it will be sent electronically to the Registrar of the borough where the person died. See section on How do I register a death?

The Inpatient Unit staff will need to know if a cremation is planned as a special form has to be completed by two doctors.

You will be asked for the name of your chosen funeral director so we can arrange for them to collect your loved one’s body.

If your loved one has died in the hospice our staff will inform your loved one’s G.P. of their death.

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MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICE A Medical Examiner is an independent senior doctor, who was not involved in your loved one’s care. They provide an unbiased review of the care and treatment a patient receives, and the circumstances surrounding the cause of death.

Each Medical Examiner Service has a team of Medical Examiner Officers who are responsible for gathering all the relevant information relating to a person’s death. This includes medical notes, discussions with the clinical team and discussions with the bereaved to create a case file for the Medical Examiner.

A member of the Medical Examiner team will contact the Next of Kin/informant in order to inform them of the cause of death, explain any unfamiliar medical terms and address any questions or concerns you may have with the circumstances of death or the care your loved one received.

Medical Examiners and their officers will refer any cases that require further investigation. They can request internal investigations to improve the quality of care that other patients receive or they can refer a case to the coroner for investigation.

There is potential that if concerns are raised that require further investigation there could be a slight delay in the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) being issued.

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Your first point of contact will be the Medical Examiner’s Officer (MEO) responsible for your loved one’s case. They will contact you once the Medical Examiner review has been completed, to inform you of the cause of death and address any concerns or queries you may have.

If you are accepting of the cause of death, the paperwork will then be emailed to the local registry office and they will contact you to arrange an appointment.

You can contact the Medical Examiner Service, Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 16:00 on: Tel: 0151 430 1227 Email: sthk.meservice@nhs.net

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WHAT HAPPENS IF THE 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. In this circumstance a doctor cannot issue a certificate stating the cause of death without consulting the coroner. It is the coroner’s duty to ensure there is a clear understanding around the cause of death. The hospice staff will talk through why the referral has been made and will explain the process to you.

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 the coroner may also order a post mortem (examination of the dead body). Your consent is not required for this procedure although you will be informed of this decision.

If the coroner feels further investigation is necessary, an inquest may be ordered. A coroner’s inquest is held at the Coroner’s Court and examines all the circumstances around the patient’s care and death, also providing an opportunity for relatives to ask questions. Staff of the coroner will support you through this process. Visit www.sefton.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/coroners for further information.

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WHAT HAPPENS IF THE DECEASED PERSON WANTED TO DONATE ORGANS OR TISSUE FOR TRANSPLANTATION? To donate organs after death, a person needs to die in hospital in specific circumstances. Many of our patients either die in the hospice or at home meaning organ donation won’t be possible. There are also certain medical conditions, including active cancer, that mean a person wouldn’t be able to donate their organs for transplantation.

If, however, someone who has cancer dies in a hospital it may be possible to donate corneas and some tissue. It is always best to have these discussions with a patient’s medical team prior to death. For more information visit NHS Organ Donation at www.organdonation.nhs.uk My loved one has told me they would like to donate their body to a medical school so what should I do next?

Donating a body to a medical school is a valuable gift - this donation will become an important resource for training healthcare professionals or for research. Body donation, however, requires written and witnessed consent from the individual before they die. It cannot be agreed by a person’s friends or family after their death.

If you believe your loved one has consented to donating their body but are unable to locate the paperwork contact the Human Tissue Authority on 020 7269 1900, Mon – Fri, 9am to 5pm.

For more information on the donation of a body, or organs and tissue not for transplantation visit www.hta.gov.uk 11

HOW DO I REGISTER THE DEATH? All deaths in Willowbrook Hospice must be registered with St. Helens Registrar. For deaths that occur outside of the hospice, the registration takes place in the borough where the death occurred.

When someone dies their death must be registered within five days from the receipt of the medical certificate (MCCD) by the Register Office. The Medical Examiner’s office will provide the Register Office with the next of kin details as held on medical records of the deceased. The Register Office will ring you to make an appointment to register the death. When you register the death, you will be given a Certificate of Registration of Death. You will need this before a funeral can take place.

If you have any questions relating to this process, contact details for our local boroughs are as follows:: St. Helens Council Registrar on 01744 676789 Knowsley Council Registrar on 0151 443 2900 Who can register a death?

• A relative • Someone who was present at the death • The occupier of the house or an official from the public building where the death occurred, e.g. the hospice, hospital or residential home • The person making the arrangements with the funeral director In certain circumstances other people may be allowed to register a death. Please contact a Registrar on one of the above numbers for advice on this and any other matter relating to the registration of a death.

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What do I need to register a death?

For all deaths, other than those referred to the coroner, the Registrar will ask for the following information about the deceased: • Place and date 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) When you have registered the death a registrar will explain the Tell Us Once service. Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. They will either: • complete the Tell Us Once service with you • give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself online at www.gov.uk/whensomeone-dies or by phone The registrar will give you a number to call. This includes a video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users and Relay UK if you cannot hear or speak on the phone.

Before you use the Tell Us Once service you will need the following details of the person who died: • date of birth • National Insurance number • driving licence number • vehicle registration number • passport number • the date they died 13

You’ll also need: • details of any benefits or entitlements they were getting - for example State Pension • details of any local council services they were getting for example Blue Badge • name, address, telephone number and the National Insurance number or date of birth of any surviving spouse or civil partner • name and address of their next of kin - if there is no surviving spouse or civil partner or their spouse or civil partner is not able to deal with their affairs • name, address and contact details of the person or company dealing with their estate (property, belongings and money), known as their ‘executor’ or ‘administrator’ • details of any public sector or armed forces pension schemes they were getting or paying in to You need permission from any surviving spouse or civil partner, the next of kin, executor, administrator or anyone who was claiming joint benefits or entitlements with the person who died, before you give their details.

If you choose not to use the Tell Us Once service or you need further information on what needs to be done the following government guide may be helpful www.gov.uk/ when-someone-dies

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What will the Registrar do once the death has been registered?

The Certification of Registration of Death, usually called the death certificate, will be posted to you using First Class Mail. You will pay for each copy of the death certificate that you order. You will need more than one copy of the death certificate in order to close bank accounts, inform mortgage and insurance providers and so on. The Registrar will be able to advise you as to how many certificates to order.

Photocopies of the certificate are not normally accepted for legal, financial and insurance companies and are a breach of copyright.

The Certificate for Burial or Cremation is sent by the Registrar to the relevant Crematorium, Cemetery, and Church etc. There is no charge for this certificate.

If you choose not to use the Tell Us Once service you will need to send the Certificate for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Benefits (also known as a BD8 form) to the DWP. The Registrar will be able to tell you if you need this certificate. This certificate will be sent to you, by the Registrar, along with the death certificate. There is no charge for this certificate.

There will still be organisations/people you need to inform of the death such as landlords, banks, utility companies.

See our helpful checklist of who needs to be notified about a death. These are the most common notifications that need to be made but there may be others.

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This checklist may be helpful for notifying about the death: q Children’s school/nursery Domestic and personal q Cancel appointments q Council offices q Gas/electricity/water q Rental/hire purchase q Telephone/mobile/internet q Vehicle Licensing q Social Services (cancel care)

q Clubs/associations q Dentist q Newspaper/milk deliveries q Royal Mail - Post q TV Licensing q Landlord

Employment/Pension q Dept of Works & Pensions q Inland Revenue q Professional Organisations

q Employer q Trade Union

Legal/Financial q Credit cards q Solicitor

q Bank/Building Societies q Insurance companies q Store cards Items that might need returning:

q National Insurance card q Passport

q Driving Licence q Library cards q Season Tickets q Pension/benefits books q Disabled parking permit

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RETURNING MEDICAL OR OTHER ASSISTIVE EQUIPMENT Returning Medical & Assistive Equipment St. Helens 01925 946000 Knowsley 0151 244 4380 Returning wheelchairs St. Helens 01928 582939 Knowsley 0151 351 8710 Returning pendant alarms and other home monitoring services: St. Helens 01744 676789 Knowsley Telecare 0151 433 2600 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 six 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.

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SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL ASSETS Most of us never give a thought as to what will happen after we die to our social media sites, email accounts and various other digital platforms we use. Do we know who owns the images and information we post? Some sites allow a person’s page to be memorialised so that it is preserved in some form. If you are unsure if you need to act on behalf of your loved one regarding their digital assets, the following organisations are a good source of information: Bereavement Advice Centre Call: 0800 634 9494 Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm except for public holidays.

For more information visit www.bereavementadvice.org National Bereavement Service Call: 0800 0246 121 Mon to Fri 9am – 6pm; Sat 10am – 2pm.

For more information visit www.thenbs.org

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FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS A funeral is an opportunity to say goodbye in a way that is right for the bereaved and for the person who died. Many people want the funeral to reflect the character, way of life, beliefs and ideals of the deceased.

Using a Funeral Director You do not have to wait until the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) has been issued before contacting a funeral director.

Many people choose to use the services of a funeral director, as this can be such a confusing and distressing time, and it can be easier to use the services of professionals. It is not, however, a legal requirement to use a funeral director.

Before making any plans, it is important to check whether the person who died left any specific instructions or maybe had paid for a funeral in advance. Hopefully your loved one will have discussed their pre-paid funeral plans with you and will have told you where to find the relevant documentation. If not, the Funeral Planning Authority may be able to help you find a plan, if one exists.

Unfortunately, there is currently no national database relating to funeral plans and, of course, there are also insurance products available now to cover funerals.

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However, the majority of funeral plan companies are a member of the Funeral Planning Authority and on their website is a page to help you trace a funeral plan. www.funeralplanningauthority.co.uk/trace-a-plan It is advisable to compare information about services and costs from 2 or 3 firms. You shouldn’t feel that you have to accept all options presented to you, particularly if you have a limited budget.

Independent and ‘family organised’ funerals.

Some families prefer a ‘family organised’ funeral. If this is your wish and if you have time to research and prepare, you can enquire at the Cemeteries and Crematorium department of your Local authority for guidance.

If your loved one dies in the hospice, you will still need to contact a funeral director to collect their body and care for them appropriately. You can then discuss the next steps with the funeral director.

If your loved one dies at home and you wish to keep them at home until the funeral, for cultural or personal reasons, contact a funeral director as soon as you can and they will advise you what to do next.

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OTHER RESOURCES THAT MIGHT BE OF HELP WHEN PLANNING A FUNERAL National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) This organisation sets professional standards for funeral directors. They can help with a range of issues such as finding a funeral director, dealing with any complaints and providing up to date information for planning a funeral according to current national guidelines. More information available at www.nafd.org.uk St. Helens Crematorium For all options available to you, as well as the regulations & guidelines that apply to burials and cremations in St. Helens.

Call: 01744 677101/677405/677406/677407 Email: sthelenscrematorium@sthelens.gov.uk For any other information relating to bereavement Call: 01744 676789 or visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/bereavement Knowsley Bereavement Services For all options available to you, as well as the regulations & guidelines that apply to burials and cremations in Knowsley.

Call: 0151 443 5231 For more information on any issues relation to bereavement visit www.knowsley.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriagesand-ceremonies Natural Death Centre For guidance on family organised funerals. www.naturaldeath.org.uk

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Greenacres A natural cemetery and ceremonial park. www.greenacresgroup.co.uk/rainford-park For help planning a meaningful, non-religious funeral call Humanists UK on 0207 324 3060 or visit www.humanists.uk If none of the above contacts have been useful then please call our Bereavement Team on 0151 430 8736 and we will do our best to find the answers you are looking for.

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PAYING FOR THE FUNERAL Funeral costs are usually recovered from the deceased person’s estate, but the person organising the funeral will be responsible for paying the bill. It is advisable to check where the money will come from before you make arrangements. Many funeral directors require an initial deposit to cover third party fees sometimes called disbursement. These fees are paid by the funeral director on a client’s behalf and may include payments for ministers/ celebrants, cemetery/crematorium services, newspaper notices etc.

Many funeral directors require payment before probate is granted, so ensure you discuss payment from an early stage. Where probate is being requested, some banks and building societies will release money to pay for the funeral before probate is granted. Further information about probate is included later in this booklet.

Financial assistance to help with funeral arrangements Where payment for the funeral is an issue, you may be entitled to help with the funeral costs through the Social Fund. There are DWP helplines which will cancel all DWP benefits as well as establish if you are eligible for costs (a funeral grant) and advise on your eligibility for other benefits. There is a time limit for claiming bereavement benefits and a funeral grant so it is important to contact them as soon as possible.

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In some cases where no one is able to pay for the funeral the local authority may help but it is important to contact them before the funeral is arranged. Your funeral director will be able to advise you or you can contact: St. Helens Financial Team Contact Centre on 01744 676789 Knowsley Financial Team Contact Centre on 0151 443 3300 The following organisations will be able to help and advise you on a range of financial issues that may arise after a bereavement, including paying for a funeral: Quaker Action- Down to Earth Help and support , including financial, when organising a funeral anywhere in the UK. 1:1 support can only be provided when a funeral has not yet taken place. For help following a funeral visit the website.

Call: 020 8983 5055 Email: downtoearth@qsa.org.uk For more information visit www.quakersocialaction.org.uk National Bereavement Service A not for profit organisation offering straightforward information and guidance on all aspects of bereavement, focusing particularly on the practical steps/legal issues that arise when someone dies.

Call: 0800 0246 121 Mon to Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 10am-2pm.

For more information visit www.thenbs.org

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Bereavement Advice Centre Information and guidance, provided by Co-op legal services, on all aspects of bereavement, focusing particularly on the practical steps/legal issues that arise when someone dies.

Call: 0800 634 9494 Mon to Fri 9am – 5pm except for public holidays.

For more information visit www.bereavementadvice.org Department of Work and Pensions DWP Advice and support regarding eligibility for benefits following a bereavement.

Bereavement Service Helpline Call: 0800 731 0469 Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm or visit www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/howto-claim Citizen’s Advice Provide advice on a range of legal, financial, social and health issues including bereavement benefits and entitlement to bereavement leave. www.citizensadvice.org.uk St. Helens Citizens Advice: www.sthelenscab.org.uk Email: enquiries@casthelens.org.uk Advice Line: 0808 278 7985 Appointment Line: 01744 737866

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Huyton Citizens Advice www.citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk Email: advice@citizensadviceknowsley.org.uk Call: 0808 278 7839 Money Helper Free and impartial advice on a wide range of money issues including debt management, budgeting, bereavement and other benefits.

Call: 0800 011 3797 Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm.

Webchat available Mon to Fri 8am – 6pm; Sat 8am to 3pm www.moneyhelper.org.uk

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SOLICITORS, WILLS & LEGAL MATTERS Unless you’ve experienced bereavement before, you will probably be unsure as to what you have to do. You’re likely to be faced with lots of unfamiliar terms such as Probate and Estate Administration, and have a lot of questions on matters that require immediate attention.

The words used, legal processes and the forms you need to fill in can just add to the distress and anxiety that you are already experiencing after the loss of a loved one.

For the correct information as to what needs to be done see Section 5 Deal with their Estate in the government publication www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies If you want/need to speak to a solicitor regarding any concerns you may have, be aware that their services will be charged for and rates vary from one solicitor to another. Ask about any charges upfront, before you go ahead.

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TRIBUTES AND MEMORIALS For many who are bereaved it is important to find a way to remember their loved one and share their precious memories with others who cared about them. Creating an online memorial is becoming more popular and the following sites can help you set up the tribute/memorial you feel is most fitting: Willowbrook Memory Tree: this memorial page on our website is a way of us coming together to remember our loved ones and share our memories. For more information visit www.willowbrook.org.uk/fundraise Much Loved: an online tribute charity allowing you to create a dedicated place where you can remember and celebrate the life of your loved one. For more information visit www.muchloved.com Life for a Life: an organisation that plants trees and installs memorial benches to commemorate loved ones. Over time, these trees will develop into beautiful organised forests to benefit the environment that everyone can enjoy.

For more information visit www.lifeforalife.org.uk Funeral Inspirations: You may want an alternative to a traditional headstone and this page offers some ideas. You must always be mindful that you will need to work within the rules of the cemetery or burial site you have chosen. www.funeralinspirations.co.uk/grave-markers/ gravestone-alternative If your loved one has been cremated you may be wondering whether you should scatter or keep their ashes.

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This site has many ideas that may be of help www.aklander.co.uk/news/fond-farewells-what-do-withashes As always the internet is a good source of information and ideas if you are looking for inspiration.

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LOCAL FUNERAL DIRECTORS Alan Jones Funeral Directors (Ashton-in-Makerfield, Haydock, Hindley & Golbourne) - Tel: 01942 271824 A J Wheelock Funeral Directors (St. Helens) - Tel: 01744 586277 Bate & Holland Funeral Services (St. Helens & Wigan) - Tel: 01744 302 647 Co-operative Funeral Care (St. Helens & Prescot) - Tel: 01744 23675 Cosgroves Independent Funeral Services (Whiston) - Tel: 0151 426 6622 Craven Funeral Directors (Liverpool & St. Helens) - Tel: 0151 480 6339 Debbie Bennett Funeral Directors (Liverpool & Prescot) - Tel: 0151 426 3131 Fisher & Dixon Funeral Directors (St. Helens) - Tel: 01744 778 538 Frank Dooley & Son Funeral Directors (St. Helens, Nutgrove, Haydock & Widnes) - Tel: 01744 776 918 F W Marsh Funeral Directors (St Helens, Whiston, Billinge, Newton-Le-Willows & Rainford) - Tel: 01744 27928 Garvey & Young Funeral Directors (Ashton-in-Makerfield, Huyton, Liverpool, Roby & St. Helens) - Tel: 01744 808635

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Gornalls Funeral Directors (Earlstown, Rainford & Prescot) - Tel: 0151 601 8465 J Dolan & Son Funeral Directors (St. Helens) - Tel: 01942 608899 J S Hedges Funeral Services (St. Helens) - Tel: 01744 22100 Neil Middlehurst Funerals (St. Helens) - Tel: 01744 20055 Peter Coyne Funeral Service (Kirkby, Liverpool, Fazakerley & Kirkdale) - Tel: 0151 207 0222 Walker’s Funeral Service (Earlstown, St. Helens & Wigan) - Tel: 01744 833866

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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.

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

F.W. Marsh ESTABLISHED SINCE 1907

Independent, family run

Private Chapels of Rest

199 Warrington Road, Whiston L35 5AF Tel: 0151 431 0696 (day & night) 100 Parr Stocks Road, St. Helens WA9 1NZ Tel: St Helens 01744 27928/22810 (day & night) 177 Ormskirk Road, Rainford WA11 8HR Tel: 01744 882645 (day & night) 1 Queen Street, Newton-le-Willows WA12 9AS Tel: 01925 291060 (day & night) 55 Main Street, Billinge WN5 7HA Tel: 01744 892260 (day & night)

Probate Solutions for cars • Completely Free Service

• Personal Service • We Come To You • No MOT?

No Problem

• Vehicle Not Taxed?

No Problem

• No Insurance?

No Problem

• No Log Book (V5)?

No Problem

AM AutoMatters Funded by

Patient Matters LTD

The death of a family member can be a YHU\ GLIĀFXOW DQG WUDXPDWLF H[SHULHQFH and if you are trying to sell a vehicle that belonged to a deceased family member or friend you currently have limited options.

Auto Matters makes things very simple without you having to leave your home.

The vehicle’s current MOT may have expired or you do not have any insurance for the vehicle so you are unable to drive the vehicle to a garage. You may also have trouble selling the vehicle as the registration document (V5) is still in the deceased person’s name. You may not wish to have private purchasers at your premises at this time. The vehicle may not start/drive or the vehicle could be a long way from your current location.

Our free service helps to overcome all of these problems. We will provide payment to yourself, an executor or a solicitor before we move the vehicle.

To get a valuation of the car, please visit www.automatters.co.uk or call 0333 006 2904

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, Broughton Way, Whitehills, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 5QN

01253 832400 enquiries@rns.co.uk

When all you want is either a simple cremation or funeral We understand how expensive funerals can be and we 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.

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

a fixed price: call

0808 169 8454

CREMATION SUPPORT Supporting families nationally

admin@cremationsupport.co.uk

Direct Cremation is from

£990.00

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

Published by RNS Publications © Tel: 01253 832400 R8

Edition 4

Printed: June 2025