Organ donation
Some people express a desire to donate organs for transplantation after death. This is something that can only take place in very specific circumstances, such as when a person has died in either an intensive care unit or accident and emergency department. When a person has died within the community there are other options that can be explored should they wish to donate for the benefit of others.
Tissue donation
Unlike organ donation, almost everyone can be considered for tissue donation.
If your loved one has expressed a wish, or you feel able to consider tissue donation, it may be helpful to know that heart valves, eyes (corneas) and other tissues can be donated up to 24 hours after a person has died. A family member can consent on behalf of the patient. This is, of course, a very personal decision. If you would like more information, please call Tissue Services on 0800 432 0559 (24 hour freephone).
Keepsakes
It may be possible to arrange for keepsakes such as handprints and hair locks. You may also wish to take photos of your loved one’s hands. Please speak to your district nursing team or your chosen funeral director if this is something you would like to arrange.
Swan Bereavement Support Team
The Swan Bereavement Specialists can support you in the immediacy of your loss. The team is based at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, however we do offer the service for all families whether the death occurred in the hospital or community.
Our aim is to provide practical and emotional support to families and carers after the loss of a loved one. The team are not trained counsellors but can advise on accessing these and other services that may be helpful to you and your loved ones.
Swan Bereavement Support Team
Telephone: 01253 952456
Office hours: daily from 9.00am to 4.30pm
The Good Grief Trust offers a range of both local and national information and support groups you may find useful – “help and hope in one place”. Visit their website and/or discuss with the Swan Team for any further information: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
Practical first steps, when death has occurred
When death occurs telephone your GP or health care professional as soon as possible. If the death occurred outside of normal working hours please contact the out-ofhours GP who will arrange for a community nurse or doctor to verify the death.
By law, a medical doctor is required to provide a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death when a person has died to confirm the death and state the cause of death. The doctor will complete this as soon as possible. This will be sent straight to the Medical Examiner (see page 5).
In some cases where the doctor is uncertain about the reason or the circumstances of death it may not be possible to issue the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. If the death was sudden or unexpected the doctor is legally obliged to inform the coroner. More information can be found on page 13.
The Medical Examiner
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, in line with government requirements, has introduced the role of the Medical Examiner. The Medical Examiner is a senior doctor who is not involved in the care of the patient, but who understands the circumstances surrounding the cause of death.
The purpose of the Medical Examiner is to make it easier for bereaved relatives to understand the wording on the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death and to ensure that this information is correct by performing a review of the medical records.
Someone from the Medical Examiner’s team will contact a designated family member to help you understand the cause of death. You will also be asked if you have any concerns regarding your loved one’s care during their final illness.
Although the Medical Examiner may not be able to answer your questions immediately, they will advise you regarding sources of additional support or information.
You can speak to a member of the Medical Examiner’s team on 01253 956766.
Contact a funeral director
You do not have to wait until the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued to contact a funeral director and make arrangements to transfer your loved one to the Chapel of Rest. Details of local funeral directors can be found at the back of this booklet. Alternatively, the internet is a good source of information to compare costs and services.
Register the death
Once the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued, the Medical Examiner’s team will arrange for this to be sent electronically to the Registration Office.
It is a legal requirement to register the person’s death within 5 days of the date from when the Registrar’s receive the completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death.
In most cases this is done by a family member but needs to be someone who can provide the necessary information about the person who has died. See pages 8 and 9 for the information that is needed.
Who can register the death
You can register the death if you are:
• A partner or personal representative of the deceased
• A relative
• Someone who was present at the death
• The authorised occupier of the nursing/care home where death has occurred
• The person making the funeral arrangements
See pages 8 and 9 for what you will need to know.
Where to register the death
A death should be registered in the local authority district where it occurred:
• For Blackpool deaths
Where council tax is payable to Blackpool, deaths should be registered with the Blackpool Registration Service.
Families should contact the Registration Office to make a face-to-face appointment to register the death, preferably online:
www.blackpool.gov.uk/deaths
If you do not have access to a computer, please phone 01253 477177.
• For Fylde and Wyre deaths
Deaths that occur within the local authority boroughs of Fylde or Wyre should be registered with Lancashire Registration Service. There are two Registration Offices on the Fylde coast, one in Fleetwood and one in St Annes.
You can make a face-to-face appointment at either Registration Office online at: www.lancashire.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/ deaths
To make an appointment at any Registration Office within Lancashire Registration District, please phone 0300 123 6705.
What you will need to know to register the death
To register the death you will need to make an appointment at the relevant Registration Office (see page 7) and, if possible, take with you the NHS medical card and birth certificate of the deceased patient to the appointment.
The Registrar will ask you for the following information (you may like to fill in the spaces below before the appointment):
This information will form an entry in the Death Register.
The date and place of death
Full name and surname / family name
Date and place of birth of the deceased
Address, including postcode of the deceased
The last full-time occupation of the deceased
Date and place of birth of surviving spouse / civil partner
Retired? Yes / No
If the deceased was a married woman, widow or a civil partner:
Maiden name / family name (if applicable)
The husband’s / wife’s / civil partner’s name even if deceased
The husband’s / wife’s / civil partner’s last occupation
Retired? Yes / No
Please ensure all spellings and identification details are accurate on the certificate at time of registration as any amendments can incur a significant correction fee.
You may also be asked for the reference number of any public sector pension (e.g. civil service, teacher or armed forces), apart from the state retirement pension.
After registering the death the Registrar will give you a green form to give to your chosen funeral director.
You will also receive the death certificate, which you will have to pay for. You can buy additional certificates at the same time or order online at a later date.
Location of Fleetwood / St Annes Registration Offices
Fleetwood Registration Office
Fleetwood Library
North Albert Street
Fleetwood
FY7 6AJ
Tel: 0300 123 6705
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
St Annes Registration Office The Library 254 Clifton Drive South
St Annes
FY8 1NR
Tel: 0300 123 6705 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
For opening hours, visiting information and to book an appointment at either office, please visit: www.lancashire.gov.uk/births-marriages-and-deaths/ find-a-registration-office
‘Tell Us Once’ service
‘Tell Us Once’ brings together several organisations so that people do not need to notify them individually of the death.
To use ‘Tell Us Once’ the death must have been registered. The Registrar will give you information about the service when you go to register the death.
You can find further information at: www.gov.uk/tell-us-once
Tell Us Once links information between:
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Local authorities
• Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• HM Passport Office
They do not inform the following organisations:
• Royal Mail
• Utilities
• TV Licensing
• Bank / building society
• Library cards / season tickets
• Insurance companies
• Rental companies
The role of the coroner
If a doctor is not able to issue a medical certificate for the cause of death - for example if the death was unexpected or they are unsure of the cause - a referral will be made to the coroner.
In this instance a Coroner’s Officer will contact the family of the person who has died for more information about their medical history. Once they have all the information they need, a decision can be made about what happens next; a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death may be issued after consideration by the coroner or there may be the need for a coroner’s post-mortem.
If the decision is made that a post-mortem is required, this is something that family members cannot refuse.
There are some infrequent cases where a doctor may request a post-mortem in order to further medical knowledge. In this instance the doctor would talk to the family and written consent would be required. This is known as a hospital postmortem.
If your loved one’s death is referred to the coroner, the Coroner’s Officer will make contact to ensure that you understand this process and are kept informed.
• Contact numbers
For Fylde and Blackpool residents: Blackpool Coroner’s Office: 01253 477128
For Wyre residents: Preston Coroner’s Office: 01772 536536
Visiting your loved one after they have died
When the person has been taken to a funeral home please contact your funeral director to arrange to visit them if you wish.
If your loved one has been transferred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s Mortuary and you would like to arrange a visit, please contact the Mortuary team on 01253 953583 or your appointed Coroner’s Officer (see telephone numbers on previous page).
Funeral arrangements
Funerals are unique to each person and the family. There are many options which your chosen funeral director will talk with you about to ensure that your needs are met.
People in receipt of certain benefits may be eligible for financial assistance with funeral costs. For information on eligibility and to either apply online or download a paper form, please visit www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement or telephone the relevant department listed below:
Funeral Expenses Payment (form SF200): 0800 151 2012
The Social Fund (funeral loan, form SF500): 0800 169 0140
Bereavement Support Payment (form BSP1): 0800 731 0469
Pension / allowance arrangements
Any queries regarding pensions and allowances can be directed to the Pension Service: 0800 731 0469 (MondayFriday, 8am-6pm) or visit www.gov.uk for information.
If the deceased was in receipt of a war pension please telephone the Veterans UK dedicated bereavement line on 0800 169 3458 or visit the website www.veterans-uk.info for information.
You will need the pension information and National Insurance number of the deceased and next of kin.
NHS
equipment
Please return NHS equipment to the loan store it was issued from or telephone 01253 476646 or Medequip (Preston) 01772 286573 for collection.
Wheelchairs issued by Preston Specialist Mobility Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) need to be returned to them. Please telephone 01772 716921 to arrange collection.
If you are not sure about what to do with any piece of equipment (eg. a syringe pump) please ask your district nurse.
Medications can be returned to any local pharmacy.
Grief
Every person feels differently when a loved one dies. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Some will prefer to deal with their feelings on their own, while others seek support from friends, a person or a group of people who have had similar experiences of grief. Others may prefer to contact a person with professional training such as a counsellor or a psychologist.
What is important is that support is available and it is normal to need support in coming to terms with your loss. If you would like to speak to someone, contact the Swan Bereavement Support Team (details on page 3). There are also various organisations locally who can offer you further support and counselling. Some of these are listed on pages 19-22.
Regardless of your religious beliefs you may also like to seek the support of a spiritual advisor. The hospital chaplain can put you in touch with a minister of your denomination or religion. You can contact the Chaplaincy Team on 01253 953876.
LeDeR
People with a learning disability are often vulnerable and face challenges in accessing the healthcare that they need. The learning from deaths – people with a learning disability and autistic people (LeDeR) is a national programme which was set up to improve the health of people with a learning disability and reduce health inequalities. Every person with a learning disability whose death is notified to LeDeR will have an initial review of the health and social care they received prior to their death. More focused reviews may be completed when there is a need. For more information please visit: www.england.nhs. uk/learning-disabilities/improving-health/learning-from-livesand-deaths/
Talking to children about death
Adults often feel the need to protect children from death. They may feel children will not understand or that they will be too upset. However, we can often underestimate a child’s resources and ability to cope. Children often find it harder if they are not told what is happening and they may be more frightened by imagined events. They should be told the facts in a simple manner, using appropriate words eg. ‘dead’, ‘death’, or ‘died’ rather than ‘lost’ or ‘asleep’. Give them time to ask questions (which may be very direct) and offer plenty of reassurance.
It is helpful for adults to share feelings with children, such as feelings of sadness. By doing this they learn that it is natural to feel sad when someone dies. Children may like to draw pictures as part of their way of saying goodbye to express their sadness and feelings.
For more information, contact the Swan Bereavement Support Team (details on page 3).
Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults affected by grief (details on page 22).
Tick box reminder
When death occurs – contact your GP (or out-ofhours GP) as soon as possible (see page 4)
Choose and contact a funeral director to begin arrangements (see page 6)
Book an appointment at the Registration Office to register the death, once you have been notified that a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death has been issued (see page 7)
optional anytime optional anytime
You may wish to contact the Swan Bereavement Support Team for any additional advice and support on 01253 952456 (see page 3)
Provide feedback by completing a Bereavement Survey (see page 24): www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs. uk/services/patient-experience/ bereavement-survey
Advice and support: some options for you
Practical advice – what to do, step by step
Website: www.gov.uk/after-a-death
Age UK
Providing bereavement support (Fylde & Wyre residents only)
Telephone: 0300 303 1234 (local rate)
Website: www.ageuklancs.org.uk
Amparo Lancashire – support following suicide
Offering confidential support “for as long as you need it”
Telephone: 0300 088 9255 (local rate)
Website: www.amparo.org.uk/our-locations/lancashire/
At a Loss
Charity helping bereaved people find support and wellbeing
Telephone: 0800 448 0800
Text: 07860 022814
Website: www.ataloss.org
Blackpool Carers Centre
Beaverbrooks House, 147 Newton Drive, Blackpool FY3 8LZ
Telephone: 01253 393748
Website: www.blackpoolcarers.org
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Provides support through free, impartial, confidential information
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Website: www.blackpoolcab.org.uk
Website: www.citizensadvicefylde.org.uk
Website: www.citizensadvicelancashirewest.org.uk
Telephone: 0808 278 7818 (Blackpool); 0808 278 7881 (Fylde); 0808 278 7880 (Wyre)
The Compassionate Friends
Supporting bereaved parents and their families after a child dies
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
Telephone: 0345 123 2304
Counselling service directories
Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Website: www.bacp.co.uk/search/therapists
Website: www.mind.org.uk/about-us/local-minds/
Counselling in the Community
Charity offering counselling to adults and children (age 4+)
Telephone: 0808 196 3483
Website: www.counsellinginthecommunity.com
CRUSE Bereavement Care
One-to-one counselling in your home and bereavement support groups for children and adults.
Telephone: 01772 433645
National helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: lancashire@cruse.org.uk Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Funeral directors
Some local companies are listed at the end of this booklet. They may be contacted for support and advice.
The National Association of Funeral Directors: 0121 711 1343
Website: www.nafd.org.uk
Fylde Counselling Service
Charity offering counselling to adults
Telephone: 01253 720270
Text: 07816 224898
Website: www.fyldecounselling.org.uk
The
Good Grief Trust
‘Help and hope in one place’ information and support both locally and nationally
Website: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
Just Good Friends
Combat loneliness and social isolation
Telephone: 07557 734233
Website: www.justgoodfriends.org
Linden Centre - information and support
For bereaved (adult or children) families and carers of patients who are being or have been supported by Trinity’s family of services.
Low Moor Road, Bispham, Blackpool FY2 0BG
Telephone: 01253 952582
Website: www.trinityhospice.co.uk
N-Compass
The Lancashire Carers Service, offering advocacy and carers support for adults as well as counselling for young people aged 11-18 in Fylde, Wyre, Preston, Chorley and South Ribble
Telephone: 03450 138 208
Website: www.n-compass.co.uk
NHS Choices – Live Well
Includes information on coping with bereavement, bereavement and young people and when someone you care for dies. Website: www.nhs.uk (search for ‘grief’ or ‘bereavement’ to list services)
NHS Talking Therapies
Psychological therapies (formerly known as Blackpool
Healthier Minds and Supporting Minds)
Blackpool residents: 01253 955700
Fylde and Wyre residents: 01253 955943
Website: www.blackpoolteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/services/ talking-therapies
Samaritans
Confidential emotional support (available 24 hours).
16 Edward Street, Blackpool FY1 1BA
Telephone: 116 123 (free from any phone) or 0330 094 5717
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Support after suicide
Links to downloadable resources and bereavement support groups available in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Website: www.healthierlsc.co.uk/suicide/bereaved
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
Peer-led support for adults impacted by suicide loss
Telephone: 0300 111 5065
Website: www.uksobs.org
WAY - Widowed and Young
Membership offering support and friendship for men and women up to the age of 50 whose spouse or partner has died.
Website: www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
Winston’s Wish
A dedicated charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults affected by grief.
Telephone: 08088 020 021
Website: www.winstonswish.org
Love Came First
You don’t move on after loss, but you must move with. You must shake hands with grief, welcome her in, for she lives with you now. Pull her a chair at the table and offer her comfort. She is not the monster you first thought her to be. She is love. And she will walk with you now, stay with you now, peacefully. If you let her. And on the days when your anger is high, remember why she came, remember who she represents. Remember. Grief came to you my friend because love came first. Love came first.
Donna Ashworth
