What to do

GUIDANCE AFTER SOMEONE HAS DIED

After someone has died you may feel in a state of shock and disbelief. It is not unusual when one is feeling like this to find that it is hard to remember everything that needs to be done. We hope that the information in this leaflet will help you through the practical things that need to be done in the next few days.

STRAIGHT AWAY
There are some practical things that need to be attended to immediately. It may be helpful to invite a relative or friend to accompany you as you carry out these important tasks.

Registration of Death
When someone dies the death needs to be registered.
If the person died in a house or hospital, the death can be registered by:
o a relative
o someone present at the death
o an occupant of the house/official from the hospital, if that is where the death occurred
o the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

or

o if the deaths took place anywhere else can be registered by:
o someone present at the death
o the person who found the body
o the person in charge of the body
o the person making the arrangements with the funeral directors

The death needs to be registered within 5 days at the register office for the district in which it happened.

For more information go to: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/WhatToDoAfterADeath/DG_10029642


THE WILL
If the person made a will someone may be named as the person to manage his/her estate (the Executor). Also the will could contain the person's preference for their funeral, and information about any pre paid funeral plans.

If there are no financial assets or property, there is nothing to be done. If there is no will but there is a bank account, or house left, then it is necessary to apply for 'Letters of Administration'


PLANNING THE FUNERAL
Most people engage a funeral director. They can take responsibility for making the practical arrangement based on the instructions given to him or her. The funeral director can offer information and advice if you wish for it. They can check on what is possible if you have particular requests. The most common practice is for them to visit you at home to take your instruction. Once it is clear who is undertaking the practical arrangements, a date can be set for the funeral which will allow for planning the event.

This does not always need to be done in a rush, although an early decision will need to be made about whether it is to be a cremation or burial. If at all possible invite close family and friends to share the planning of the funeral.

Decisions need to be made about the type of funeral that is most fitting for the person who has died.
" Will it be a burial or cremation
" Where will the funeral take place
" Who will conduct the funeral
" Who will be asked to the funeral
" How the funeral will be publicised so that interested people can arrange to attend

If the person who has died had a faith then you may want to make contact with their faith leader who will help with the conducting of the funeral. The local church, mosque, synagogue or temple will be able to help you with information about who should be contacted

It is not necessary to have a particular leader for the funeral, you can do it yourself, or ask a friend, or you could approach the Humanist Association to ask them to provide some one to lead the funeral. To get the number for a local person ring the national number 0207 079 3580.

FUNERALS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Some people want information about 'green burials', an option now available. .
For more general information on the subject ring The Natural Death Centre on open everyday 10.00 - 2.00 0871 288 2098


Taking time to plan the funeral that you really want will help you to have a funeral that you feel is really fitting for the occasion. Do not be frightened to make suggestions. Remember that you can use recorded music. If you know of a favourite reading or poem do suggest it being read. There is file kept on the ward of readings and poems that might be helpful to you when it comes to the planning of the funeral, please do ask to see it if you think it will help you.


FUNERAL COSTS
Funerals usually cost at least one thousand pounds. Sometimes people have insurance cover, check for this in the deceased's personal papers. It is quite appropriate to ask the funeral directors exactly how much it will cost. It is also all right to ring round different funeral directors to ask for their prices. If the person arranging the funeral is on any of the following benefits:
" Income Support
" Housing Benefit
" Council Tax Benefit
" Family Credit
a proportion, or all may be paid by the Benefits Agency. In such situations contact the Benefits Agency before making any arrangements, for more information. Claims need to be made within 13 weeks of the death. Claims could be up to £700. Ring for a claim form and further details

REMEMBRANCE
There are a number of ways in which you and others may wish to record the death, in remembrance.

Record the person's name in a Book of Remembrance at the crematorium, cemetery or church.

Your choice will be what is right for the person, their family and community. Nowadays many people make individual choices about how the death will be recorded, or remembered for the future.

If a cremation take place, you will be asked to decide where you would like the ashes to be buried or scattered. It can happen at the crematorium or a place of your choice. There is no hurry to decide what to do with the ashes. They can be kept by the undertaker at the crematorium or by you. If you decide to bury the ashes it is possible to put a head stone on the place where they are buried.

If a burial takes place then there is the place of burial to visit in the future, and you could put a head stone on the grave

HEADSTONES
You may in time decide that you would like to have a headstone made. There are stone masons in most area, or if you want something a little different there is an organisation called:
Memorials by Artists,
Snape Priory,
Snape,
Saxmundham,
Suffolk,
IP17 1SA
They will put you in touch with artists who will carve headstones.

FINALLY……………
The most important thing to bear in mind when planning a funeral is that it is the right funeral for you and is the way you wish to say good bye to the person who has died. Remember there is no hurry, take your time and plan what you want