We have put together some information, which we hope will offer guidance about what to do after a death, explain what help is available and suggest some organisations that can give support and comfort. You may also find the following addresses and telephone numbers useful:
| Bereavement counselling services | |
| Cruse Leicestershire Bereavement Care | 16 Pocklingtons Walk Leicester LE1 6BU Phone: 0300 777 44 88 National helpline: 0808 808 1677 Website: www.cruse.org.uk |
| The Laura Centre | 4-6 Tower Street Leicester LE1 6WS Phone: 0116 254 4341 Website: www.thelauracentre.org.uk |
| Sudden | Phone: 0800 2600 400 Website: help@sudden.org |
| The City of Leicester Register Office | City of Leicester Register Office Leicester LE1 9BG Phone: 0116 454 1000 Website: https://www.leicester.gov.uk/your-community/births-marriages-and-deaths/register-a-death/ |
| The LOROS Bereavement Hubs | |
| LOROS Hospice Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QE Saturday 4th February 2023 onwards, fortnightly hubs at the Hospice from 10-11:30 pm | |
| Hinckley The New Plough Inn, 24 Leicester Road, Hinckley, LE10 1LS Every Tuesday afternoon from 3.00pm-4.30pm. | |
| Birstall Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS Every Friday afternoon from 1.30pm-3pm. | |
Bereavement
Helpful Information About a Death
A Step-by-step guide on what to do when someone dies
Useful contacts:
Registry office:
Southfield Road, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 2TR
T: 0116 305 6509
W: http://leicestershire.gov.uk/registrars
Leicester County Council:
W: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/register-a-death
Wills, Probate & Inheritance
W: http://gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview
Citizens Advice:
70 Wood Gate, Loughborough, LE11 2XB
T: 0344 411 1444
W: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/what-to-do-after-a-death/
Our thoughts and sympathies are with you at this difficult time. This page is designed to give you practical advice on certain things which need to be done.
Obtain a ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’
You need to contact the family doctor when someone dies at home. If the death was expected, the doctor will give you a ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’.
If someone dies in hospital, then the hospital will issue a ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’ and formal notice.
If someone dies in a care home or nursing home you will need to collect the ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’ from the doctor’s surgery used by the home.
Sometimes the doctor cannot issue a certificate and may need to refer to a coroner. (See 3. Arranging a funeral)
1. Registering a death
You will need to register the death with the registrar of births, marriages and deaths for the district where the death occurred within 5 days. Book an appointment with any Leicestershire County Council registration office on 0116 305 6509. For more information visit: https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/registrars/death-registration/register-a-death/registering-a-death
The registrar will need:
- ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’
- The person’s full name, date and place of death
- Their date and place of birth
- Their most recent occupation and whether or not the deceased person was receiving a pension or other benefits
- The name, occupation and date of birth of their spouse or civil partner
The registrar will give you a certified copy of the death certificate and will also give the family a green copy to give to the funeral director. If the deceased is to be buried this is the only paperwork needed.
It is advisable to request multiple copies which can be given to the bank/ building societies and other agencies that will need to be informed. (This may incur a small administration fee)
For more information, visit the Leicestershire County Council website.
2. Cremation
If a cremation is to take place, there are additional forms to be completed by doctors and then given to the funeral directors. These forms are in in two parts:
Part 1 – The doctor who completes the ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’ fills in the first part.
Part 2 – Another doctor who has not been involved in the care of the deceased fills in the second part. This doctor has to speak to the first doctor and may also need to speak to a member of the family.
3. Arranging a funeral
Before arranging the funeral:
Check that you will be able to collect the ‘Medical Certificate and Cause of Death’ before arranging the funeral date. This is because sometimes it is necessary for the Coroner, or on rare occasions the police, to become involved and may delay the release of the ‘Medical Certificate of Cause of Death’.
A post-mortem examination may then be required if the deceased died unexpectedly or in unusual circumstances, or if they had not recently consulted a doctor.
Check whether the deceased person has paid in to a life insurance policy or pension scheme that provides a lump sum towards the funeral costs, or into a funeral plan that has already prepaid the costs.
Most people use a funeral director, though you can arrange the funeral yourself. To arrange the funeral yourself, you need to contact the Cemeteries and Cremation Department of your local council – Leicestershire County Council.
Before finalising the funeral arrangements, you should find out if the deceased made a Will and consult the solicitors who hold it to see what the deceased’s wishes are. The Will should also disclose the name(s) of the executors or persons legally entitled to deal with the deceased’s estate. The solicitors will assist you with the administration of the estate and any questions relating to tax issues that may arise. (Please be aware solicitors’ advice incurs a cost)
4. Use the ‘Tell us Once’ service
The ‘Tell us Once’ is used to contact several government departments in one go. You can access the service online or via the phone. The departments that will be contacted in one go include:
- HM Revenue and Customs for tax purposes
- Department for Work and Pensions
These services should contact you about tax, benefits and entitlements of the person who died.
- HM Passport Office
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
- Local services such as electoral services, libraries, housing benefit and council tax services
For this service and more information go to: https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death
Other people who may need to be informed:
- The deceased’s doctor
- Employer/teacher
- Benefits office (if applicable)
- Hospital(s), if the deceased had hospital appointments
- Bank/ Building society
- Local services if applicable: meals on wheels. home help, day centre transport, milk & newspaper deliveries
- Solicitor or Citizens Advice if there are any legal issues or questions about the estate
- Equipment may need returning to Red Cross, NHS etc
- Car insurance company
- Gas, electric and telecom companies
- Royal Mail deliveries
- Embassy of deceased if non-resident of UK
5. Financial help
If you receive certain Social Service Benefits (e.g. Income support, housing benefit and others) you can apply to the Social Fund for help to pay for funeral costs.
You will need to complete an application form SF200. This is available from your local Job Centre Plus or by download from their website https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim
Bereavement Support
There are many organisations that offer support to people who have suffered bereavement. This could be counselling, information and advice or practical support. If you or someone you know might benefit from support, one of the following organisations may be able to help
- Cruse Bereavement Care
T: 0300 777 44 88
- Samaritans
T: 0116 2700 007 (local call charges apply)
National telephone: 116 123 (this number is free to call)
W: http://samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-leicester
- Compassionate Friends (for help if you’ve lost a child or grandchild)
T: 0345 123 2304
Bereavement Hubs
The LOROS Bereavement Hubs offer drop-in sessions that aim to provide those who are bereaved with a place where they can access information, talk to others and share their thoughts and feelings.
This new service will be based in different locations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, to offer support and information to communities.
The hubs are available to anyone over 18 who has been bereaved, regardless of the cause.
There is no need for an appointment, just drop in at any time during the session. The hubs take place weekly on the same day and time and are supported by trained bereavement volunteers.
Find a session near you
*Please note that the Coalville session has been relocated to Stanton under Bardon
LOROS Hospice
Groby Road, Leicester, LE3 9QE
Fortnightly Saturday morning from 10am-12pm.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WILL BE CLOSED ON SATURDAY 19TH AUGUST DUE TO THE LOROS BIG DAY OUT.
South Wigston
Elliott Hall, Albion Street, South Wigston, LE18 4SA
Every Wednesday afternoon from 11.30am-1pm.
Loughborough
Round Table Room, John Storer House, Ward’s End, Loughborough, LE11 3HA
Every Monday afternoon from 1.30pm-3pm.
PLEASE NOTE THAT LOUGHBOROUGH WILL BE CLOSED ON THE BELOW BANK HOLIDAYS:
Monday 28th August
Stanton under Bardon
St Johns Cole Crescent, Main Street, LE67 9AE
Every Thursday afternoon from 1.30pm-3pm.
Birstall
Birstall Methodist Church, Wanlip Lane, Birstall LE4 4JS
Every Friday afternoon from 1.30pm-3pm.
Thurmaston
Thurmaston Health Centre, 573A Melton Road, Behind Manor Medical, LE4 8EA
Every Wednesday evening from 4.30pm-6.00pm.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THURMASTON WILL BE CLOSED ON 27TH SEPTEMBER DUE TO STAFF TRAINING.
Hinckley
The New Plough Inn, 24 Leicester Road, Hinckley, LE10 1LS
Every Tuesday afternoon from 3.00pm-4.30pm.
We also run two hubs in partnership with Dove cottage and Sue Ryder.
Bereavement Help Point
Ketton Sports & Community Centre, Pit Lane, Ketton, Stamford PE9 3SZ
This session runs every fortnight on the first and third Monday of the month from 2.00pm-4.00pm
Bereavement Help Point
The Falcon Hotel, 7 High St East, Uppingham LE15 9PY
This session runs every fortnight on the second and fourth Thursday of the month from 3.00pm-5.00pm
Bereavement Help Point
Fire Station, South Street, Oakham LE15 6HD
This sessions runs every Monday from 2.00pm-4.00pm