Bereavement advice and Support
Some practical advice on what to do at this sad time
If a death occurs at home there are two options:
- If the deceased has been seen by a doctor in the last two weeks
contact the doctor, who will confirm the death and issue a death
certificate
- The other option is to inform the local coroner's office
In a hospital, the attending doctor will issue the certificate
either directly or through the hospital’s administration
department.
The next step is for either the next of kin or person
making the funeral arrangements to take the death certificate to
the Registrar of Births and Deaths within 5 days (if possible also
take the deceased's medical card, birth and marriage certificates).
Contact the Register Office in Prescot, Knowsley for an
appointment on 0151 443 2900.
Where the Coroner is involved and an inquest is to be held the
Coroner will issue a form to the Registrar to allow the funeral to
proceed (Form E for cremation or Coroners Order for Burial). If
there is no inquest the Coroner will confirm the cause of death to
the Registrar and the death can then be registered in the usual
manner.
It is advisable to obtain any extra copies of the registration
certificate at this time, for insurance claims, banks, and social
security purposes.
Finding a Funeral Director
It is your choice to use any funeral director or indeed not to
use a funeral director.
The funeral directors’ role is to organise a funeral according
to the wishes of the executor or person arranging the funeral. They
can arrange and carry out all aspects of a funeral service on the
family's behalf except for the actual registration of the death.
Carrying out these services relieves the bereaved from doing what
they may feel are unpleasant and difficult tasks. The service
provided includes, the type of service, coffin, and transport
arrangements. Most funerals are sold as a package which include all
disbursements (ministers, doctors, cemetery and/or crematorium
fees), and obituaries. The office of fair-trading has suggested
that price transparency should apply to charges allowing families
to select the aspects of the service they require.
It is important to remember that the funeral director is there
to guide you through the arrangements however the actual details
are of a personal choice and time should be taken to consider
exactly what your wishes are.
Paying for the funeral
Under common law whoever orders the funeral becomes liable for
the funeral costs regardless of their relationship to the deceased.
It is wise to obtain quotations before deciding on a particular
firm. Most funeral directors should be able to supply an
estimate of a basic funeral and should not be used if unable to do
so.
It is possible to get assistance with the cost of a funeral
under certain circumstances, click
here for information on this. Age Concern also
has a fact sheet 'arranging a funeral' and will offer advice as
will the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Funeral Plans
Some people alleviate the worry of paying for a funeral by
purchasing a funeral plan. There are a number of options available
and if you feel this would be beneficial, it is advisable to look
carefully at all the options. It is necessary to choose a burial or
cremation package that meets your needs. Companies operate these
plans in different ways. Some allow disbursement costs up to a set
amount with any additional expenses payable at the time of the
funeral. Others may have a fixed price for a set package which will
not vary (i.e. Hearse plus one limousine only or no facility for
press notices). They can be paid by instalments or lump sum and
will be at current prices. It is advisable to check exactly what is
included to ensure the plan is to your requirements.
It is also possible to purchase some items in advance i.e.
grave, which will reduce the cost of the funeral. This can be done
through a funeral director or directly with our Bereavement
Services Office on 0151 443 5231.
Key Contacts
You may find the following links to other external sources of
advice and support helpful.
Tel 0800 694 0280
Citizens Advice Bureau
Telephone 0845 1221 300
Drop-in advice times for Citizens
Advice Bureau
| Halewood Bureau Advice Site |
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm |
| Huyton Bureau Advice Site |
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm |
| Kirkby Bureau Advice Site |
Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm |
| Prescot Bureau Advice Site |
Tue-Thu 9am - 3pm |
| Stockbridge Village |
Tue 10am - 12:30pm |
Other formats
This guidance is also
available in PDF format.
