The staff at St Peter’s Hospice wish to express their sincere sympathy to you and your family at this time.
We understand that you may have personal or cultural wishes around the care of your loved one. If there’s anything that’s important to you, please speak to a member of the St Peter’s team — we’ll do all we can to support you.
We know there’s a lot of information in this booklet, and it might feel overwhelming at first. Please don’t feel you need to take it all in at once. When you feel ready, you may find it helpful to read through it at your own pace, or to share it with a trusted family member or friend.
If your loved one was under the care of St Peter’s, bereavement support is available for close family members and friends. You can find more details about how to access this support on page 28.
What should I do now?
Find support
In the early days after a death, it’s often those closest to the person who has died to have to make the practical arrangements — even while they’re grieving. This can feel like a lot to carry.
If you can, it may help to ask a trusted friend or family member to support you with some of the decisions and arrangements.
A Funeral Director can also guide you through many of the practical steps and offer support along the way.
This booklet
This booklet has been created to help guide you through the practical things that may need to happen in the days and weeks following a death.
Everyone at St Peter’s is here to support you, and each member of the team will do what they can to help you through this time.
Please accept our sincere condolences.
Throughout this booklet we use the term ‘your loved one’ to refer to the person who has died — whether a family member, partner or close friend.
Contact a Funeral Director and start making arrangements
Funeral Directors can help you with the practical arrangements and offer support and guidance during this time.
Before making any decisions, it’s a good idea to check whether your loved one left a Will or made any specific wishes about their funeral.
If you’re not the next of kin (a person’s closest living relative) or the named Executor, it’s important to check with them before going ahead with any plans, to ensure you have the right to make arrangements.
Many people choose to use a professional Funeral Director to help guide them through the process. Others may prefer to make their own arrangements, as this can feel more personal or help reduce costs.
Factors that may affect your choice of Funeral Director include:
• Location of the firm’s premises
• Whether they belong to a trade association and the range of services provided
• Cost
• Whether they are a large or small firm
• Advice or a recommendation from family or friends
Most Funeral Directors are members of one of the below trade associations:
• National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
• Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
Most people would probably require the Funeral Director to provide the following services as a minimum:
• Make all necessary arrangements
• Provide appropriate staff
• Provide a suitable coffin
• Transfer your loved one from the place of death to the Funeral Director’s premises
• Care for your loved one prior to the funeral
• Provide a hearse to the nearest cemetery or crematorium
• Arrange for burial or cremation as appropriate Embalming (the process of preserving a body to delay the natural breakdown of cells after death), viewing of your loved one, or providing a limousine for mourners are optional extras. Discuss these fully with your Funeral Director and make sure you receive an itemised written quotation.
Funeral costs for the same services may vary considerably from one Funeral Director to another. It’s advisable to get more than one quote to compare costs and services and Funeral Directors should provide detailed price lists for you to take away.
Funeral Directors must provide you with a price list on request and cannot exceed any written estimate they give you without your permission.
Disbursements are fees paid to others, i.e. for doctor’s certificates, a Minister, newspaper announcements, flowers and crematorium fees. Ask the Funeral Director for a written quotation detailing all of these fees.
Disbursements are fees paid to others, i.e. for doctor’s certificates, a Minister, newspaper announcements, flowers and crematorium fees. Ask the Funeral Director for a written quotation detailing all of these fees.
In addition, it should be remembered:
In addition, it should be remembered:
• When you arrange a funeral, you’re responsible for paying the bill
• When you arrange a funeral, you’re responsible for paying the bill
• Funeral payments are normally recoverable from the deceased person’s estate
• Funeral payments are normally recoverable from the deceased person’s estate
• You should check that the price includes what you require and whether there are any additional costs that will be added on
• You should check that the price includes what you require and whether there are any additional costs that will be added on
If you receive certain benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions you may be entitled to some assistance towards the funeral expenses of your loved one. For further information please contact the nearest Jobcentre Plus.
If you receive certain benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions you may be entitled to some assistance towards the funeral expenses of your loved one. For further information please contact the nearest Jobcentre Plus.
A Bereavement Support Payment may be made in certain circumstances if you’re the partner or spouse of someone who died whilst employed. These are dependent on National Insurance contributions and other conditions. Please contact Jobcentre Plus to find out more.
Hospice staff are unable to make recommendations of Funeral Directors, but friends, family or clergy may be able to do so. The funding of this booklet, however, is supported by local Funeral Directors, so their contact numbers are available at the back of this booklet.
Transfer to a mortuary from the Inpatient Unit
As St Peter’s doesn’t have formal mortuary facilities on site, we follow specific procedures to ensure that your loved one is looked after respectfully and appropriately.
If you haven’t chosen a Funeral Director within two working days, or if your chosen Funeral Director is unable to transfer your loved one within this time frame, we’ll arrange for the transfer to Memorial Woodlands (Bristol Memorial Woodlands Ltd).
This ensures that your loved one is cared for in a respectful and dignified manner. Memorial Woodlands will be responsible for the care of your loved one from when your loved one is transferred to them. Once you have had time to choose your preferred Funeral Director if it is not to be Memorial Woodlands, they can arrange the transfer from Memorial Woodlands to their own service.
We pay for the costs incurred for the initial transfer of your loved one to Memorial Woodlands.
Your chosen Funeral Director must collect your loved one within two working days of their appointment.
If your chosen Funeral Director collects your loved one within two working days of their appointment, there will be no fee payable by you. If your chosen Funeral Director is unable to collect your loved one within two working days, Memorial Woodlands may choose to levy a fee for each day after this initial two-day period, and you should make your chosen Funeral Director aware of this.
When no Funeral Director has been appointed and your loved one is with Memorial Woodlands for more than 28 days, Memorial Woodlands will charge you a fee of £2 per day for each day after the initial 28-day period.
Tissue donation
After someone dies, it’s sometimes possible for them to donate tissue to help others. Your loved one may have carried an organ donor card, may not have opted out for The NHS Organ Donor Register, or spoken with you about their wishes during their lifetime.
Tissue donation is only possible in certain circumstances, and there are time limits to ensure the donation is successful:
• Eyes for corneal transplantation can be donated up to 24 hours after death
• Heart valves can be donated up to 48 hours after death
If your loved one has not opted out of donation, or if you choose to support this decision now, please be assured that they will be treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Their appearance will be carefully restored after any procedure, and tissue donation will not delay funeral arrangements.
donation
or would
If you prefer, you may ask a Doctor, Nurse or your Community Nurse Specialist to contact the appropriate person on your behalf.
Obtaining the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD)
About the certificate
The Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD), commonly referred to as a death certificate, is an important legal document. It shows the cause of death and must be signed by a Doctor who was caring for your loved one during their life or before they died.
By law, all deaths in England are overseen by the Medical Examiner Service (MES). Medical Examiners are Senior Doctors who are not involved in the care of the person who has died. They are supported by a team of Medical Examiner’s Officers.
Obtaining the MCCD, within the Inpatient Unit (IPU)
For a death that has taken place at St Peter’s IPU, the Hospice medical team will make a referral to the MES. They can issue a MCCD when authorised to do so by the MES. The MES will send the MCCD electronically to the Registrar (at the Registry Office closest to the place where your loved one died). A MCCD cannot be completed in a small number of cases that require referral to the Coroner (an officer who investigates certain types of deaths), and Hospice staff will ensure that loved ones are informed about this. It normally takes a few days for the MCCD to be released to the Registrar, but it can take longer.
A Medical Examiner Officer will contact you to advise when you can book an appointment with the Registry Office to register the death of your loved one and collect the documentation. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the cause of death, you will be able to discuss this with a Medical Examiner Officer.
On the IPU, notification of the death will be made by the medical team to the Medical Examiner service as soon as possible. If there is a particular need for paperwork to be completed sooner, please don’t hesitate to make the IPU team aware.
Obtaining the MCCD for deaths within the community
For a death that has taken place in the community, the MCCD is completed by a GP who has seen your loved one in their lifetime.
Before this is completed, the Medical Examiner Officer will contact the deceased person’s next of kin to ensure they understand the cause of death and to ask questions about the healthcare provided to the person before they died. It’s also an opportunity to discuss any concerns.
The Medical Examiner’s Office will contact you to confirm when you can register the death.
In some cases, there may be a delay in issuing the certificate should the death need to be referred to a Coroner, or if the Doctor who cared for your loved one is not immediately available. Any delay in receiving the certificate won’t prevent you from making provisional funeral arrangements with a Funeral Director. If the death is referred to a Coroner, please notify your Funeral Director and follow their advice.
Who can register a death?
People legally allowed to register the death:
• A relative
• A person present at the death
• An official from the Hospice or care home
• The person making the arrangements with the Funeral Director
Registering the death
You will need to make an appointment to register the death with the Registry Office in the council area where the death happened.
The death will need to be registered within five days of being contacted by the Medical Examiner’s Office, this includes weekends and bank holidays.
Documents and information you’ll need
You’ll need to tell the Registrar:
• The date and place of death
• The person’s full name at the time of their death and their date of birth
• Any names previously used, including maiden surname, the person’s date and place of birth (town and county if born in the UK and country if born abroad)
• Their address
• Their address
• Their occupation
• Their occupation
• Occupation of a sur viving spouse or civil partner
• Occupation of a surviving spouse or civil partner
• Whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefit
• Whether they were receiving a state pension or any other state benefit
When registering a death, you’ll need to take (if available):
When registering a death, you’ll need to take (if available):
• Bir th certificate or passport
• Birth certificate or passport
• Driving licence
• Driving license
• Marriage/civil par tnership certificates
• Marriage/civil partnership certificates
• Proof of address (such as a utility bill)
• Proof of address (such as a utility bill)
• NHS medical card
• NHS medical card
Documents you’ll receive
Documents you’ll receive
When you register the death, you’ll receive the following:
When you register the death, you’ll receive the following:
• A Cer tificate for Burial or Cremation (called the ‘green form’), giving permission for the body of your loved one to be buried, or for an application for cremation to be made
• A Certificate for Burial or Cremation (called the ‘green form’), giving permission for the body of your loved one to be buried, or for an application for cremation to be made
• A Cer tificate for the Department for Work and Pensions Benefit (form BD8) – you may need to fill this out and return it if your loved one was receiving a state pension or benefits
• A Certificate for the Department of Work and Pensions Benefit (form BD8) – you may need to fill this out and return it if your loved one was receiving a state pension or benefits
• There is an opportunity to purchase additional copies of the death certificate – these will be needed for sorting out your loved one’s affairs with the bank, insurance companies, private pensions etc.
• There is an opportunity to purchase additional copies of the death certificate – these will be needed for sorting out your loved one’s affairs with the bank, insurance companies, private pensions etc.
• A unique reference number for Tell Us Once (please see the Tell Us Once section of this booklet)
• A unique reference number for Tell us Once (please see the Tell Us Once section of this booklet)
Where a post-mortem is required, the Coroner will issue any necessary documents as quickly as possible afterwards.
Where a post-mortem is required, the Coroner will issue any necessary documents as quickly as possible afterwards.
If there are any errors in a death record, details can be changed or added. Ideally the person who registered the death should arrange this with the office where the death was registered. You may be asked to provide documentary evidence to prove an error was made.
If there are any errors in a death record, details can be changed or added. Ideally the person who registered the death should arrange this with the office where the death was registered. You may be asked to provide documentary evidence to prove an error was made.
Once you have registered the death you can inform your chosen Funeral Director that the death is registered so that arrangements can proceed.
Once you have registered the death you can inform your chosen Funeral Director that the death is registered so that arrangements can proceed.
If the death has been referred to a Coroner, you will not be able to register the death until the Registrar has received a notification from the Coroner’s office.
If the death has been referred to a Coroner, you will not be able to register the death until the Registrar has received a notification from the Coroner’s office.
The Registrar’s office
For deaths occurring in Bristol
To register the death, you can contact the Bristol Registry Office on 0117 922 2800 between the hours of 08.30 - 18.00 to arrange an appointment at either of the centres below. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online at: bristol.gov.uk/death
Please be aware that Bristol City Council operates an appointment system for both venues:
1. Bristol Registry Office
The Old Council House, Corn Street, Bristol BS1 1JG
Opening hours for appointments: Monday - Friday, 09.00 - 16:00 (Parking can be difficult)
2. Southmead Hospital
The Brunel Building, Bristol BS10 5NB
Opening hours for appointments: Monday - Friday, 09.30 - 16.00
For deaths occurring in South Gloucestershire
To register the death you can contact the South Gloucestershire Registration Service on 01454 863 140 between the hours of 08.45 - 17.00, to arrange an appointment at either of the centres listed below. Please be aware that South Gloucestershire operates an appointment system for both venues:
1. Civic Centre, High Street, Kingswood
Opening hours for appointments: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 09.30 - 13.00, 13.45 - 15.45
You can register the death by contacting the North Somerset Registration Service on 01823 282 251 or by emailing somersetregistration@somerset.gov.uk between the hours of 08.30 - 18.00 to arrange an appointment at either of the centres below. Please be aware that North Somerset operates an appointment system for both venues:
2. 37a Church Road, Clevedon (next to the public library)
Opening hours for appointments: Monday - Friday, 09.00 - 12.30
For deaths occurring in Bath and North East Somerset (BANES)
To register the death you can contact BANES on 01225 477 234 between the hours of 08.30 - 18.00 to arrange an appointment or book online at www.bathnes.gov.uk
There are several centres within this area that you can choose from (BANES will advise you). BANES operates an appointment system for all their locations.
Organisations you need to contact
Tell Us Once
Tell us Once
After someone dies, there are a number of organisations and government departments that need to be informed. To make this easier, the government offers a service called Tell Us Once. This allows you to notify several departments at once.
It also means you may not need to buy extra copies of the death certificate for each organisation contacted through the service.
If you’d like to use Tell Us Once, let the Registrar know when you register the death. They’ll explain how it works and what your options are. Many people find this service helpful and reassuring during a difficult time.
You can use Tell Us Once online or by phone after the registration is complete.
If you decide not to use the service, you’ll need to contact each organisation individually to inform them of the death.
It may be appropriate to notify:
• Local Councils
• Housing Benefit office
• Council Tax
• Collection of payment for council service
• Libraries
•Libraries
• Electoral Services
•Electoral Services
• Blue Badges
•Blue Badges
• Adult Ser vices
•Adult Services
• Childrens Services
•Childrens Services
• Council Housing
•Council Housing
Department for Work and Pensions
Department for Work and Pensions
• Pension, Disability and Carer’s Services
•Pension, Disability and Carer’s Services
• Jobcentre Plus
•Jobcentre Plus
• Overseas Health Team
• Overseas Health Team
Revenue and Customs
Revenue and Customs
• Child Benefit
• Child Benefit
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit
•Universal Credit
• Personal Taxation
• Personal Taxation
Identity and Passport Service
Identity and Passport Service
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
•Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
• Ministry of Defence
•Ministry of Defense
• Ser vice Personnel and Veterans Agency
•Service Personnel and Veterans Agency
• War Pensions Scheme
•War Pensions Scheme
People you might need to inform
Below is a list of people and organisations you may need to notify about the death of a loved one. It also provides a reminder of some of the things you may need to do following the death.
Person / organisation
Family Friends
Healthcare providers, i.e.,
Optician, Dentist, GP
Bank or building society, credit card providers
Premium bonds, long-term savings companies (ISAs)
Anyone holding money for the deceased person
Social Services such as home help or care
Person / organisation
Previous / current place of work (occupational pension), trade unions
Executor of the estate (Will)
Insurance companies (car, home, life insurance)
Residential or nursing home
Landlord or housing agency
Mortgage company
Utility companies (water, electric, gas, phone, internet, TV licence)
Utility companies (water, electric, gas, phone, internet, TV license)
Hire purchase companies
Post Office (to redirect mail)
Person / organisation
Cancel any upcoming payments
Transport (to day centres or clubs)
Delivery companies (milk, food boxes, newspapers)
Return any borrowed equipment (medical or social)
Religious organisations (faith leaders)
Stop any junk mail
Grief and other difficult feelings
You may be reading this booklet because someone close to you has recently died. Your loss is personal and unique — and how you cope with it will be your own individual journey.
Although grief is deeply personal, many people experience a wide range of thoughts and emotions when someone they love dies. Knowing that these feelings are a natural part of bereavement can sometimes bring a small sense of comfort.
Support offered by St Peter’s
Bereavement support is available to relatives of patients (including children) who have been under the care of St Peter’s. This support is extended to close friends.
We offer:
• Information and practical advice
• 1:1 support with a Senior Psychological Therapist / Psychological Support Worker
• 1:1 support with trained volunteers Access to group support
• A weekly drop-in support group
If you would like to access any of these services, please complete an online referral form on our website or phone 0117 915 9454 for a psychological assessment.
We will need to ask for the following information to register you on our system:
• Your name
• Your address and contact number
• Your date of birth
• The name of your loved one
Other help and support available
GOV.UK – what to do when someone dies
Web: gov.uk/after-a-death/overview
For practical advice around what you need to do following the death of a loved one.
GOV.UK – get help with funeral costs
Web: gov.uk/funeral-payments
For information regarding help towards funeral costs.
Good Grief Trust
Web: thegoodgrieftrust.org
The Good Grief Trust exists to help those affected by grief.
Age UK
England Tel: 0117 929 7537
Web: ageuk.org.uk/bristol
Age UK is a national network of groups providing services for older people with companionship, support and signposting.
Bereavement Support Network
Bereavement Advice Centre
Tel: 0333 240 0360
Helpline: 0800 634 9494
Web: bereavementadvice.org
Web: bereavementsupport.co.uk
The Bereavement Advice Centre offers practical advice on what to do when someone dies.
Advice regarding funerals, probate, tax benefits and preventing junk mail to the deceased.
Citizens Advice Bureau
To find your nearest Citizens Advice Bureau, visit their website: citizensadvice.org.uk
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends
Helpline: 0345 123 2304
Helpline: 0845 120 3785
Web: tcf.org.uk
Web: tcf.org.uk
Compassionate Friends is a nationwide self-help organisation. Parents who have been bereaved themselves offer friendship and support to other bereaved parents, grandparents, and their families. They offer a telephone helpline and online forum.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Web: cruse.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care offers free information, advice, and support to bereaved people. Cruse runs a helpline, and can supply a wide range of books, leaflets and a newsletter for bereaved people.
Facing Bereavement
Web: facingbereavement.co.uk
Facing Bereavement contains articles offering advice and guidance on facing and dealing with bereavement.
Institute of Civil Funerals
Tel: 01480 861411
Web: iocf.org.uk
The Institute of Civil Funerals can help you find someone to conduct a non-religious funeral.
Natural Death Centre
Tel: 01962 712 690
Email: contact@naturaldeath.org.uk
Web: naturaldeath.org.uk
The Natural Death Centre offers advice on arranging a funeral with or without a Funeral Director. They list natural burial gardens and advice on how to choose one.
Probate and Inheritance Tax
Tel: 0300 123 1072
Web: gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/ overview
Find advice on Wills, probate and inheritance.
Samaritans
Tel: 116 123 (freephone)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Web: samaritans.org
Samaritans are ordinary people from all walks of life who offer a sympathetic listening ear to despairing and suicidal people of all ages. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Veterans UK (Service Personnel and Veterans Agency)
Veterans UK can offer support and advice to war pensioners, war widows, their dependents and carers.
War Widows Association of Great Britain
Tel: 0845 241 2189
Email: info@warwidowsassociation.org.uk
Web: warwidows.org.uk
The War Widows Association gives advice, help and support to war widows and dependents.
Remembering a loved one
Many people find comfort in doing something meaningful to honour the memory of a loved onewhether it’s attending a remembrance event, raising funds, or simply sharing stories with others.
As a charity, a gift made to St Peter’s in memory of someone special is a thoughtful and lasting way to celebrate their life, while helping us continue supporting others at the end of theirs.
There are several ways you can choose to remember your loved one:
Tribute Funds
A Tribute Fund is a personal online space where you can remember and celebrate someone special. You can share photos, messages, and memories and invite friends and family to do the same. It’s a place for reflection, connection, and fundraising in their name.
Funeral donations
Many families choose to ask for donations to St Peter’s at the funeral. We can provide donation envelopes for the service - these can be collected by you or your Funeral Director and returned to us afterwards.
If you’ve set up a Tribute Fund, we can also provide a QR code for printed materials, making it easier for guests to donate or leave a message of support.
Light up a Life
Held every December, our Light up a Life events offer a moment to come together and remember those we have lost. You can include your loved one’s name in our Book of Remembrance, or leave a message on our online Tree of Light.
Memory Tree
Our Memory Tree offers a beautiful and lasting way to honour someone’s life. Located in a peaceful corner of the Hospice gardens, the hand-sculpted tree holds copper leaves engraved with the names of those we remember.
You’ll be invited to hang your leaf on the tree - a quiet and meaningful moment of remembrance. Each leaf stays on the tree for one year. After that, you can choose to renew the dedication or have the leaf returned to you to keep at home.
The Hospice would like to thank RNS Publications for publishing this information and the following pages contain some features from services o ering their help at this time.
Whilst the Hospice is grateful of their support it does not endorse or recommend any of the services that they provide.
JUNK MAIL
This publication has been jointly developed between ourselves and the hospice. We hope that it has been or will be of help at this time and we welcome any comments or suggestions that you may have.
Please contact us either by phone, email or by post.
RNS Publications, Trium House, Unit 15, Broughton Way, Whitehills, Blackpool FY4 5QN
