Other help and support

When someone dies it is a sad time for those left behind, and a lot of focus is placed on organising a funeral that is a fitting tribute to your loved one’s life, with the help and support of your local funeral director.

However, organising a funeral is not the only thing to consider following the death of a loved one. Other help and support is available to you to help you cope with your grief as well as the practicalities following a death.

Bereavement support

People deal with grief in many different ways, some may be sad, some may get angry with themselves, others may be happy for the deceased as they are at peace.

Your funeral director should be able to advise you of local bereavement support groups which may be beneficial to you and your family in your time of need.

If you need further help and support with dealing with your grief there are several charities and organisations that exist to provide support and counselling to the bereaved, details of some of these organisations are listed below:

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse services are free to bereaved people. They provide support and offer information, advice and education services to promote the well-being of bereaved people. Visit their website www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk or if you live in Scotland visit www.crusescotland.org.uk to find your local Cruse branch. Alternatively call their day to day helpline on: 0844 477 9400

Brake – the road safety charity

The charity Brake provides support services to care for people bereaved or affected by serious injury in a road crash. Visit their website: www.brake.org.uk or contact their helpline: 0845 603 8570

The Child Bereavement Charity

CBC provide dedicated support and information services for those who have lost a baby or child, or when a child is bereaved. Visit their website: www.childbereavement.org.uk or contact their national confidential support and information line on: 01494 446648

Winston’s Wish

Winston's wish is a charity that offers practical support and guidance to families, professionals and anyone concerned about a grieving child. Visit their website: www.winstonswish.org.uk or contact their helpline: 08452 03 04 05

Managing the practicalities following the death of a loved one

Legal and probate support

Often legal matters such as receiving a grant of probate, administering the affairs of the deceased as outlined in the will, and so on, all need to be managed following a death.

The main legal, tax and administration areas can be complex and time consuming and seeking the services of a legal expert to handle the majority of these tasks could be a suitable option. For further information visit the Probate and legal help and advice section of this website. 

Notifying key contacts about the death

Various companies and organisations may need to be notified about a person’s death. Examples of who needs to be notified about a death as soon as possible are outlined below:

• Insurance providers – Any policies related to the deceased may need transferring, cashing in or ceasing. Following a death some insurance policies (e.g. car and home insurance) may become invalid and should therefore be dealt with quickly.
• The deceased’s property – If the deceased lived alone you need to ensure the now vacant property is secure. You will also need to change the name responsible for utility services, TV licences, and so on.
• Benefits and financial support – You will need to check what benefits or financial support spouses/family members are still entitled to following your change in circumstances. Various state grants or allowances may become available. Contact your local council or citizen’s advice bureau for further information.
• Bank accounts, building society accounts and, for example, premium bonds – these are likely to be involved in the probate process.
• Cease any subscriptions, accounts and so on – you may need to cancel TV services, TV license, telephones, gas and electricity suppliers as necessary to ensure you don’t get charged for services if they are no longer being used. 

Other key contacts that will need notifying of the death of an individual include: their employer, the tax office and the passport and pensions offices.  If the deceased held a driving license the DVLA will also need contacting.

Preventing unwanted mail

Stopping various organisations sending mail to the deceased can be difficult. The Bereavement Register was set up to reduce the amount of direct mail sent to those that have died. To find out more or to register the details of the deceased visit the Bereavement Register website and complete the online form. Your local funeral director may also be able to help with this – ask for details.

Thinking of your own future

Grieving the loss of a friend or family member can sometimes make us hold a mirror up to our own situation and you may begin to ask questions about your own personal circumstances such as will my family be looked after should anything happen to me?

A will allows you to nominate executors who will administer your estate, appoint guardians for children aged under 18 and name beneficiaries to your estate. Contact your local solicitor for further information on will writing.

You can also plan ahead for the inevitable by purchasing a Funeral Plan. A Funeral Plan is a sound financial investment which allows you to arrange all aspects of your own funeral and pay in advance at today’s prices. For more information visit our Funeral Plan pages