In Times of Bereavement

In the unfortunate event of a bereavement, there are a few essential steps to be taken in the first few days:

1. Obtain a Medical Certificate

Get a medical certificate from your GP or hospital doctor, which is necessary to register the death.

2. Register the Death

Register the death within 5 days (8 days in Scotland) to receive the necessary documents for the funeral. If the death has been reported to the coroner, you must obtain their permission before registering the death.

You can register the death if you are a relative, a witness to the death, a hospital administrator, or the person making the funeral arrangements.

Use the “Register a Death” page on the gov.uk website for guidance.

3. Make Funeral Arrangements:

    • The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, but you can also arrange a funeral yourself.

Choosing a Funeral Director

Select a funeral director who is a member of one of the following organizations:

  • National Association of Funeral Directors
  • National Federation of Funeral Directors
  • Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors

These organizations follow codes of practice and must provide a price list upon request. Some local councils offer their own funeral services, including non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also assist with non-religious funerals.

Arranging a Funeral Yourself

Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council to arrange a funeral independently.

Funeral Costs

Funeral expenses may include:

  • Funeral director fees
  • Disbursements or third-party costs (e.g., crematorium or cemetery fees, newspaper announcements)
  • Local authority burial or cremation fees

Funeral directors typically provide a detailed list of all costs in their quotes.

Bereavement Support Services

Bedford Bereavement Services

Offering support to all bereaved people during monthly group meetings at Norse Rd Crematorium.

The Compassionate Friends

Supporting bereaved parents and their families after the death of their son or daughter, at any age and from any cause.

Age UK

Provides useful guides and factsheets on coping with the end of life, including ‘When someone dies’, ‘Bereavement’, ‘Making a will’, ‘Dealing with an estate’, and ‘Planning for a funeral’.

Child Bereavement UK

Clare Charity Centre, Wycombe Road, Saunderton, Bucks, HP14 4BF.

Citizens Advice Bureau

For free, independent, confidential, and impartial advice.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Offers bereavement support, advice, and information over the phone, face-to-face, and online.

Mind

Provides confidential help on a range of mental health issues and a special legal service to the public, lawyers, and mental health workers.

Probate and Inheritance Tax

Available Monday to Friday, 09:00-17:00. Closed on weekends and bank holidays.

Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)

Victoria Charity Centre, 11 Belgrave Road, London, SW1V 1RB.

Veterans UK

Ministry of Defence, Norcross, Thornton Cleveleys, Lancs, FY5 3WP.

Road Victims Trust

A support service for anyone bereaved or otherwise affected by a road collision, covering Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire.

Way Up

A national charity offering a social and support network for men and women who lost their partner when aged 51 or over.

The Bereavement Service Helpline

Helpline to report the death of someone receiving benefits. They will notify each office that paid the benefit and offer an eligibility test.

Child Death Helpline

Civil Legal Advice

Department for Work and Pensions

The Office of Public Guardian

Available Monday to Friday, 09:30-17:00, and Wednesday 10:00-17:00.

Samaritans

A free confidential emotional support service for anyone in the UK.

The Good Funeral Guide

The UK’s only not-for-profit independent information resource for funeral advice.

War Widows Association of Great Britain