Rowcroft Hospice Bereavement Booklet

What do I do now?

Your hospice - Caring for you at a time when you need it most rowcrofthospice.org.uk/bereavement

A GUIDE TO HELP YOU COPE PRACTICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY WITH DEATH AND BEREAVEMENT

Introduction

The employees and volunteers at Rowcroft Hospice would like to offer their sympathy and support in your bereavement.

The death of someone close can cause deep personal sadness and distress. Grief is a very individual experience. Decisions and arrangements have to be made at a time when you may be experiencing difficult and confusing thoughts and emotions.

This booklet aims to help you through the first few days and weeks of your bereavement. It is divided into four sections:

• Section one provides guidance on practical matters

• Section two offers information regarding grief and the services available to you

• Section three provides information on ways a person can be remembered

• Section four provides contact details for organisations which may be helpful

Page 3 is reserved for appointments you will need to make. There are blank pages at the back of the booklet for you to make notes.

Reference: Rowcroft Hospice Bereavement Booklet

Publication date: February 2024

Review date: February 2026

Section OnePractical matters

What happens immediately after your loved one has died?

In the hospice – Inpatient Unit

We will ask you which funeral director you will be using and whether the body of the person who has died will be buried or cremated. We will then be able to prepare the required documentation.

You will be advised how to make appointments with the funeral director and the Torbay Register Office.

An appointment will be arranged for you or someone nominated by you to collect any personal items which belonged to the person who has died. Belongings can be returned sooner if preferred.

In their own home

Please contact the Rowcroft Hospice at Home Service if the person was known to them, or your local or out of hours District Nursing Team. These services are available 24 hours a day.

You can also contact your GP Surgery if the death occurs between the hours of 9am - 5pm Monday - Friday or the out of hours Doctors (Practice Plus Group). Telephone: NHS 111.

A healthcare professional will visit to confirm the death (this is known as verification).

You will be advised how to make an appointment with the local Register Office.

After verification, you can contact a funeral director of your choice. They will take your loved one into their care.

It is possible to keep the body at home but we would recommend you seek professional advice to inform your decision.

In certain circumstances it may be necessary for the hospice or GP to contact the Coroner. This is not a cause for concern but may delay the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD).

Choosing a funeral director

The following organisations for funeral directors have codes of practice which commit their members to ensure high standards of service and care.

• National Association of Funeral Directors

www.nafd.org.uk

• National Federation of Funeral Directors

www.nffd.org.uk

• The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors

www.saif.org.uk

• Association of Green Funeral Directors

www.greenfd.org.uk

Within the rear of the publication, there are a selection of local services. Should you require a list of all known providers, please ask a member of staff.

Contact and appointment details

Appointment with the funeral director to make arrangements

Date Time

Place/telephone number

Appointment to register the death

This must be at the Register Office for the area where the person died and after the MCCD has been electronically sent to the Registrar.

Date Time

Place/telephone number

Notes:

Registering the death

The death must be registered within five days with the Registrar of Births, Marriages and Deaths for the area where the death occurred. This is a legal requirement. Registrations are by appointment only and take approximately 40 minutes. If preferred, your funeral director can make this appointment for you.

The certifying medical practitioner will complete the medical certificate of cause of death. This will then be scanned and sent electronically to the Registrar.

Who can register the death?

The person registering the death is called ‘the informant’. Only certain people can fulfil this duty:

• A relative of the deceased

• A person present at the time of death

• The person arranging the funeral (this does not include the funeral directors)

• The senior official of the care home/hospital where the death took place.

What you will need to take to register the death

• The NHS number of the deceased

• One form of identification for yourself (the informant) e.g. driving licence, passport, birth certificate, council tax or utility bill

It is also helpful to take the deceased’s

• Birth certificate

• Marriage or Civil Partnership Certificate

• NHS Medical card

• Driving licence

• Blue badge

• Passport

What information you need to take to register the death

The Registrar will require the following details for the death register entry to be completed.

Surname: Forenames:

Maiden name:

Any other previous names: (e.g. if a woman has been married before)

Any other names: (usually known as)

Date of birth:

Place of birth: (town and country in England and Wales or country if born overseas as the country is known now, not as it may have been at the time of birth, e.g. Bangladesh and not East Pakistan or India)

Place of death: Date of death:

Usual address:

Marital status: Occupation: (or former occupation if retired)

Name/Address/Occupation of spouse or civil partner (if surviving) or name and occupation (if deceased)

National Insurance number:

National Insurance number of any surviving husband, wife or civil partner:

The Registrar will then give you

• Death Certificate - This is a certified copy of the death entry in the register and is provided at a cost of £11.00. We suggest you buy additional copies of this as you will need certified copies for notifying banks, building societies, insurance companies and other institutions. Extra copies can also be ordered from the Registration Service at any time in the future.

• Certificate for burial or cremation - often called the ‘green form’. This is normally passed to the funeral director by the person making the arrangements. This form is required by the burial authority or crematorium before the funeral can take place. Alternatively, you can give permission for the form to be sent electronically to the person who is caring for the body of the person who has died. A scanned copy may be sent to the funeral director. This form is free of charge.

Torbay and Devon County Council offer a Tell Us Once Service which enables government organisations and departments to be informed of the death at one time.

The registrar will either;

• Explain and complete the Tell us Once service with you.

• Give you a unique reference number so you can use the service yourself online or by phone.

Registering a Death in Torbay:

An appointment can be made online at: www.torbay.gov.uk

Alternatively, an appointment can be made by contacting the Torbay County Council Call Centre number 01803 207130.

Certificates can sometimes be delayed. It is advisable to email registrationdeaths@torbay.gov.uk or call 01803 207130 to confirm the certificate has been received before you attend the appointment.

Paignton Library and Information Centre

Great Western Road

Paignton TQ4 5AG

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:30am - 3:30pm (last appointment)

Pay & Display Council Parking: There are two car parks behind the building.

Registering a Death in the Teignbridge & South Hams Districts:

Appointments can be made by telephone only.

1) Telephone 0345 155 1002

2) An automated message will say ‘Welcome to my Devon’

3) You will then be transferred to an advisor at the Customer Service centre for Devon County Council

4) Make an appointment at the Registration Office for the district in which the death took place

The registrar will contact you in the unlikely event that the certificate is delayed.

Teignbridge District – includes:

Newton Abbot, Teignmouth, Bovey Tracey

• Teignbridge Registration Office

Devon House

Brunel Road

Newton Abbot, TQ12 4PB

Opening hours:

Monday to Thursday 09:00am - 4:30pm

Friday 09:00am - 4:00pm

Closed 1:00pm - 2:00pm

Parking: Free at Old Forde House car park

South Hams District – includes:-

Marldon, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Stoke Gabriel, Totnes

• South Hams Registration Office

Follaton House

Plymouth Road

Totnes TQ9 5NE

Opening hours:

Monday, Wednesday and Friday 09:00am - 5:00pm

Parking: Free at Follaton House

Further information regarding procedures following a death is available at: www.torbay.gov.uk/registrar/deaths or www.devon.gov.uk/registrationservice

Other useful websites:

www.gov.uk/after-a-death

www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-tocontact-and-tell-us-once

www.bereavementadvice.org

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills

Arranging a funeral

A funeral is an opportunity to reflect on the life of the person who has died and say good-bye in a way that is right for them, their family and friends.

Before making plans it is advisable to check whether the deceased left any specific instructions or wishes. Also, if any funeral arrangements were made and paid for in advance. However, you or your loved one may have chosen not to have a funeral.

Some people prefer to arrange the funeral, burial or cremation without the use of the services of a funeral director. These are known as independent or familyorganised funerals. This can only be achieved if:

The person arranging the funeral has knowledge of what they want, and will need to provide the below for the processes involved:

• Documentation for application for cremation or burial

• Required specifications for the type of coffin chosen

• Inscription on the coffin lid for identification

• Provision of others to perform duties e.g. Celebrant, Pallbearing

• Need to use the services of a funeral director to care for the body as most cremations take place 10-14 days after the death

• Awareness that the cremation authority are unable to assist with planning family-organised funerals but may be able to provide advice

For further information contact:

• Torquay Cemetery & Crematorium

Tel: 01803 327768

Email: info@torquaycrematorium.co.uk

• The Natural Death Centre

Tel: 01962 712690

www.naturaldeath.org.uk

Things to think about

Do you want to spend time with your loved one at the funeral director’s chapel of rest, or perhaps bring them home before the funeral? Is the coffin to be open or closed? This may affect decisions about how the body is cared for.

What style of funeral is required – traditional religious, a civil funeral (which may include some religious elements) or a funeral with no religious content? Do you want a private burial or cremation followed by a thanksgiving/memorial event?

The major decision is whether to have a burial or cremation if this is not predetermined by your religion, culture or the expressed wishes of the deceased. This will help you decide where the funeral is to take place.

The style of funeral will influence the content. You may like to include a photo display, video tribute, music and readings.

Think about who to ask to give the readings. You may want to note here any specific anecdotes about the person that you would like included in any tribute (sometimes called the eulogy):

• What type of coffin would you prefer?

There is a wide range available made from solid or veneered wood, wicker, laminated cardboard or woollen felt.

• Do you want a funeral cortege (e.g. the hearse and any following cars) to leave from a family home or will people assemble at the place of the ceremony?

Consider whether to choose people to be pallbearers. The funeral director will provide this service if preferred.

Most funerals include a gathering of mourners after the ceremony with refreshments served. The venue might be your own home, a church hall, pub or a more formal venue such as a hotel.

Think about your budget and how many people may attend. Legally most of the expenses connected with the funeral can be claimed from the money left by the deceased. However, a gathering of mourners is not considered an essential funeral cost.

Many mourners appreciate guidance about:

• What to wear

Traditionally this was always black. Except for very formal funerals, grey, navy and other sombre colours are generally acceptable. Some families request that mourners wear a brighter or specific colour.

• Any specific funeral customs or rituals

In respect of the deceased’s faith/culture. If there will be mourners from faith/cultural traditions different from your own.

• Requests for memorial tributes

Many people prefer to give donations to charity instead of floral tributes. Your funeral director can pass on any donations received to the chosen charity/ies if preferred.

You can take your time to decide on the design of a headstone for a grave as you will generally be advised to allow some months to pass before installation.

If you are arranging a cremation, the ashes (cremated remains) can be stored at the crematorium for up to 6 months. They can also be looked after at the funeral directors. Ashes may be scattered, interred (buried) or kept at home if preferred.

Financial Matters

Paying for a funeral

Funeral costs are normally recoverable from the deceased’s estate. However, the person organising the funeral will be responsible for paying the bill. It is advisable to check where the money will come from before you make arrangements.

Many people arrange funeral insurance. This may be a life assurance policy where a lump sum is paid after the death which may be put towards funeral costs. Alternatively, there may be a pre-paid funeral plan in place. This is where the funeral arrangements are chosen, agreed and paid for in advance through a provider.

How can I find an existing funeral plan?

It is recommended that those close to and/or executors of the Will are informed when a funeral plan is purchased, who it is with and what it covers. Check if a plan was stored with the Will, Solicitors Office or bank.

There is no central database of funeral plans. The majority of funeral plan providers are registered with the Funeral Planning Authority (FPA). Providers can be contacted via the FPA to search for an active plan.

For more information contact: funeralplanningauthority.co.uk

Help with funeral costs

You may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment if you:

• Receive one of the qualifying benefits

• Were the partner of the deceased when they died

• Are a close relative or friend of the deceased

• Arranged the funeral to take place in the UK where the deceased was resident when they died

A funeral expenses payment amount will depend upon your circumstances. Where possible, a Funeral Expenses Payment will have to be paid back from the deceased’s estate. Claims must be made within 6 months of the funeral taking place.

The simplest way to make a claim is by telephone: 0800 731 0469

For more information contact: www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

Public Health funerals

Sometimes, there is not enough money in the estate and no one is willing or able to pay for the funeral. The local authority has a statutory duty to organise and pay for a funeral where it appears that no other suitable arrangements have been or are being made.

The Council will also take full responsibility for any property and finances which belonged to the deceased. Any items of value may be sold to recover the cost of the funeral. Councils will not accept part payment, contribute to the cost of funerals organised by other persons or administer estates on behalf of others.

For more information ask for the Rowcroft patient and family information leaflet - Public Health Funerals.

Will and Legal Matters

First, you need to establish whether the deceased made a Will. This may be found at their bank, solicitors, home, with family or a friend.

Conducting a Will search demonstrates that reasonable steps have been taken to ascertain if a Will or later Will exists before applying for probate and distributing the estate.

Certainty is the National Will Register provider endorsed by the Law Society and National Association of Funeral Directors. The cost of the search can be reclaimed from the estate.

For more information and search options contact:

www.nationalwillregister.co.uk

Tel: 0330 100 3660

The Will may include wishes for the funeral, possessions and name(s) of the executor(s) or the person(s) legally entitled to deal with the estate. Executors are legally responsible for administering the estate according to the wishes in the Will. If the person did not leave a Will the administrator deals with the estate. You can apply to become the administrator if you were the Spouse, Civil Partner or child of the deceased.

Probate is the legal process for the distribution of the estate (money, property and possessions) which belonged to a person who has died.

For information on Wills, Probate and inheritance contact:

www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate

Tel: 0300 303 0648

An application for a grant of probate (where there is a Will) or administration of letter (where there is no Will) is expected to take up to 8 weeks.

Probate may not be needed if the person who died:

• Had jointly owned land, property, shares or money. These will automatically pass to the surviving owner

• Only had savings or premium bonds

The administration of Estates (Small Payments) Act 1965 sets a threshold of £5000. However, most financial institutions will set their own limit for releasing assets without a grant of representation (Probate or letter).

When a person dies their single accounts are frozen. You are advised to inform the relevant banks and building societies soon after the death. You may need to make an appointment with someone who will support you through any changes needed to be made. You will need to take some identification for yourself and a certified copy of the death certificate. It may also be helpful to take a notepad and pen.

Most banks have a bereavement support service which enables you to make changes online or by phone.

Alternatively, you can inform a number of banks and building societies by using the Death Notification Service. They will then contact you directly within 10 days to let you know what to do next.

For more information contact:

www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk

Tel: 0333 207 6574

The Bereavement Advice Centre is a free helpline and webbased information service provided by Co-Op Legal Services

www.bereavementadvice.org

Tel: 0800 634 9494

People you may need to notify

Speaking to others about the death can be overwhelming and difficult. You may want to ask people you trust to help with this. Perhaps a family member could contact other relatives or a friend could let other members of their social network know.

Once you know when the funeral will be, keep the details by the phone so anyone can answer and give this information. For someone who is working or recently retired, a manager or colleague will know who it would be appropriate to inform in the workplace. Social networking sites, such as Facebook, may be the equivalent of an address book, but with far more entries. Otherwise an address book or contacts on a computer or mobile phone will be very helpful.

You will probably want to make a separate list of family and personal friends to be contacted but we have made some suggestions here of other people you may need to notify. It is always a good idea to keep a note of who you spoke to and the date and time of the call.

You may find it helpful to develop a filing system to keep the paperwork in order. Banks etc. should be contacted quickly to secure the estate and prevent fraud and also the Department for Work and Pensions agencies to avoid accidental overpayment of benefits which will later have to be repaid to the government. Take copies of important documents. If you post any documents, make a note of when you sent them.

Medication

Any medication prescribed for the person who died should be returned to the local pharmacy.

Medical equipment and documentation

Equipment should be labelled with a barcode and telephone number for the supplier. Collections are arranged for within 5 days.

To arrange collection contact:

• Torbay Area

NRS Healthcare and Torbay Community Equipment Service items are labelled with the telephone number: 0300 100 0047. The Torbay Service will collect all items issued by them. Smaller items will be recycled.

• Devon Area

Millbrook Healthcare Devon Depot Items are labelled with a yellow sticker with a barcode and telephone number: 0330 124 4491. Smaller items cannot be collected but can be taken to a Devon County Council Recycling Centre.

Wheelchair Service

To arrange collection of a wheelchair contact Invacare repair and maintenance service: 0800 069 6216

Clinical Sharps Boxes (Needles and Syringes)

To arrange clinical sharps collection contact your local authority:

• Torbay Council Tel: 01803 701316 (collections are made on Mondays)

• Teignbridge District Council

Requires online request for collection

www.teignbridge.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste

Personal Pendant Alarms

Contact the company who provided the alarm service. The contract will be cancelled when the equipment is returned.

Local community alarm services include:

• NRS Telecare

Tel: 0300 100 0255

• Care 365

Tel: 0800 101 3333

Documentation and Mail

Any folders containing professional notes should be collected by the relevant District Nurse or Care Agency representative.

Royal Mail offer a redirection service where you can apply for standard mail to be directed to you or the person who is dealing with the deceased person’s estate. A special circumstances redirection application form can be found on the Royal Mail website. You must complete the form by hand and take it to a Post Office in person. This service is chargeable.

The following services have been developed to stop direct marketing (junk) mail being sent to the person after their death. This can also help reduce the risk of identity theft of the person who has died. These services are free of charge.

• Stop Mail

www.stopmail.co.uk

Tel: 0808 168 9607

This service is owned by the Bereavement Support Network.

• The Bereavement Register

www.thebereavementregister.org.uk

Tel: 0800 082 1230

• Deceased Preference Service

www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk

Tel: 0800 068 4433

Organisations you may need to contact

If you are using a professional for probate they may contact many of these organisations for you. Other organisations may be notified through the Local Authority if they offer the ‘Tell Us Once’ service – see the L symbol throughout this table.

Organisation Phone number Date/ time Spoke to or posted info

Bank 1

Bank 2

Bank 3

Mortgage Provider

Credit/store card

Credit/store card

Credit/store card

Other money, e.g.

national savings/ premium bonds/ loans/hire purchase agreement

Friendly Societies

Buildings Insurance

Home contents

Insurance

Car Insurance

Travel/holiday Insurance

DVLA L

Identity and Passport Service L

Tax office

Council Housing office

Landlord/Housing Association L

Electricity provider

Gas provider

Telephone line provider

Water Company

Cable/satellite provider

Internet service provider

Mobile phone

Mail suppression service

Royal Mail redirection Facebook, Twitter

Council tax L

Council tax support L

Electoral registration office L

Universal Credit L

Adult social services (including day care/ home care) L

Private care

Blue badge/ concessionary travel pass L

Library L

Employer or private pensions provider

Trade union professional association

DWP: including state pension, other benefits/allowances

L

Child Support Agency L

UK Border Agency

Prison/Probation/ Court Service

Doctor Hospital (s)

Dentist

Podiatrist

Travel agent/airline

School or college

Return of medical equipment

Council children’s services L

Universal Credit L

Club memberships

Magazine subscriptions

Mail order catalogues

Other - deliveries if the deceased’s house is vacant:

Other:

How are you feeling?

Rowcroft Hospice Bereavement Support Services

Bereavement affects individuals and families in different ways. Each person has a unique relationship with the person who has died so their feelings of loss and grief will be unique. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and everyone will process their feelings at a different pace.

What might I feel?

Shock and disbelief - even if your loved one has been ill for a long time the reality and finality of death can still be very shocking. You may not quite believe that they have really gone and might expect them to still be here.

• Numbness - in the early days you may feel you’re on ‘autopilot’. You do what needs to be done and ‘get on with things’. You may feel, or others may think, that you are coping well. This feeling of numbness is likely to wear off in time as you start the grieving process.

• Exhaustion and mental ‘fogginess’ - feeling mentally and physically exhausted is a common side effect of grief. You may also find it hard to concentrate or remember things. These symptoms will ease in time.

• Loneliness - you may find it hard to stay in and prefer to keep yourself busy with work, family, hobbies or seeing friends. This is a natural response to loss. It can be helpful to spend time with others and to do creative or physical activities. Evenings can be difficult, especially in the winter with the long dark nights.

• Guilt - it’s human nature to think about the one time out of one hundred that we could have said or done something differently instead of acknowledging the ninety-nine other times that we got things right. Reliving events and asking ourselves the questions is part of the healing process.

• Anxiety - you may feel worried about the future or anxious in company and feel that you would rather stay at home and be alone. This is a perfectly normal response and it’s ok to give yourself permission to do what you need to do in terms of self-care.

• Anger - towards others, yourself or even the person who has died for leaving you. You may also feel angry about the future hopes and dreams that have been taken away from you. This is an understandable and reasonable response to your loss.

• Relief - you may feel a sense of relief that your loved one is no longer suffering and is now at peace.

• Loss of identity/sense of purpose - if you cared for your loved one when they were ill you may not only miss them but also miss your role as their carer and feel lost without the regular routines that you established.

• Physically - you may have noticed a change in your appetite - either an increase or decrease. It is normal to have sleep issues, waking in the middle of the night or trouble falling asleep. Sometimes people have dreams about their loved ones. This is because the brain processes a huge amount of information, thoughts and memories while you sleep.

Things that may help

The feelings mentioned on the previous pages are all natural responses to loss. Many people find they can manage their own grief with the help and support of family and friends. Others may find it beneficial to seek help outside of these circles, to talk about their feelings and what has happened to them with someone they have never met.

The Rowcroft Bereavement Support Service consists of a dedicated team of professionals and bereavement volunteers who are trained to provide emotional and psychological bereavement support to relatives or carers over the age of eighteen.

For more information about our bereavement support service please see our website: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk

If you or a member of your family feel you would like to talk to someone about these services or any aspect of bereavement support, please contact us on 01803 217403 or email us at bereavement@rowcrofthospice.org.uk

After your bereavement you may find yourself reflecting on life and death, or about that which brings meaning and purpose to your life. For you this may or may not include having a faith or belief. If you would like to explore any questions that you have in a safe and non-judgemental manner then please call 01803 210800 to arrange to meet with our Spiritual Care Specialist.

Remembering your loved one

Ways to remember

There are many ways in which people who have died can be remembered. Here are some suggestions which may be meaningful to you:

• Share stories with family and friends about the person

• Light a candle

• Listen to favourite pieces of music you enjoyed together or sing a favourite song

• Wear their favourite perfume or cologne

• Read their favourite books

• Cook their favourite meal

• Finish any projects they were working on

• Plant something which may be significant to them

• Visit special places

• Watch films which you both enjoyed

• Keep something of theirs with you

• Start a new tradition for remembering them

• Write your memories, thoughts and feelings in a journal

• Make a documentary of their life. This could include special places and memories of family and friends

• Live your life as they would wish you to

Social Media

We are living in a digital era and for many of us the internet and social media platforms are now part of our daily lives. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram enable us to keep in touch with friends and family, sharing stories, photos, and memories.

Social media can have many benefits when someone diesit can provide an accessible place for the bereaved to ‘gather’ - albeit not physically - to grieve together and to celebrate the life of the deceased. Being part of an online community of mourners can feel very supportive and give a positive focus for shared grieving.

On the other hand, dying in a digital age can present its own challenges. For example, how do you manage someone’s social media accounts after they die? What if you don’t want to receive notifications from their account? Some people find comfort in the ongoing ‘digital presence’ and others find it a painful reminder of their loss.

Rowcroft also offers the following ways to remember:

Memory Tree

Dedicate a glass leaf in honour of someone special on Rowcroft’s Memory Tree. Each leaf, individually hand moulded by Teign Valley Glass, is neatly secured to the tree by a stainless steel plaque, marked with your loved one’s name and a meaningful date.

You can make your dedication by way of a one off donation or a regular monthly donation for a whole year. You can then choose to renew your dedication for another year or have your leaf and plaque sent to you at home in a keepsake box.

Light up a Life

The festive season can be a poignant time of year, so take the opportunity to remember and celebrate the life of someone you loved and still love so dearly.

You can take part in this much loved event by dedicating a light on the Tree of Light, located in the grounds of the hospice and all are welcome to join the Light up a Life celebration service around the tree in early December.

Meadow of Memories

Each year, a beautiful wildflower meadow is sown in the grounds of the hospice. The arboretum becomes the most soothing place to sit, remember and reflect in peaceful surroundings.

Choose from the list of carefully selected flowers and make a dedication in memory of someone special. Seeds are sown around the beginning of April depending on the weather conditions at the time, and over the following months the meadow will flourish and bloom. An outdoor celebration takes place in the meadow itself sometime in July, when the meadow will be at its brightest and most beautiful.

Remembered Forever Tribute Fund

While you’ll need to grieve for your loved one, it’s also important to celebrate their life and remember the good times you shared together. One way of doing that is by creating an online tribute in their memory. It’s easy to create and you can add your own special photos, messages, videos and even music, to share with family and friends across the globe.

Once you’ve created your Tribute Fund, we’ll send you updates on the money it’s raised and the impact that money is having on the work here at Rowcroft. You’ll also receive invitations to our special memorial events.

For more information about these opportunities to remember your loved ones, please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate-in-memory or call our Individual Giving team on 01803 217450.

Donations in lieu of flowers

Some families wish to leave the donations from funerals and memorial services to the hospice in memory of their loved ones. Your funeral director may be able to arrange collections on your behalf. Alternatively please call Rowcroft’s team on 01803 217450 or email

inmemory@rowcrofthospice.org.uk to discuss the best and safest way to collect donations. We can also provide you or your funeral director with our in memoriam envelopes which allow friends and family to Gift Aid their donation too, making it worth 25% more at no extra cost to them.

Online Donations

Many people wish to make a donation online in memory of their loved one as a way of showing their support and thanks for the care and support they received from Rowcroft. You can do this easily by visiting our website at: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/donate-in-memory

Volunteering

Volunteers are a vital part of our team and volunteering brings with it many benefits, including immense satisfaction, improved confidence and the chance to learn new skills.

We have a wide range of volunteering opportunities available at the hospice and across the whole organisation, including our shops around South Devon.

For more information please call our Volunteer Manager on 01803 210852 for an informal chat.

Donating to a Rowcroft Shop

Donate to one of Rowcroft’s charity shops and help patients and families make the most of tomorrow. By donating you can help patients and families make precious memories. Your good quality unwanted clothes, furniture, books, brica-brac, toys, CDs and DVDs, white goods and electricals all help us to provide hospice care to those who need it.

Our free Rowcroft furniture collection service makes it easy to donate to charity. To arrange your free collection, please call the Collections Team on 01803 210832, Monday - Friday, 10.00am - 2.00pm.

A lasting legacy

Legacies fund the care of 1 in 5 of our patients. Leaving Rowcroft Hospice a special gift in your Will helps ensure that we can continue to provide our care and support for generations to come.

For a list of local supporting law firms please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk or call Rowcroft Legacy Officer on 01803 217405.

Section FourUseful organisations/ contacts

Funerals – information, practical matters and advice

• Association of Green Funeral Directors

www.greenfd.org.uk

Tel: 0330 221 1018

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

• The Digital Legacy Association

Professional body for digital assets and digital legacy. Developed leaflets and a social media Will template to help make plans for your digital estate as well as information about online memorialisation and legacy contacts.

www.digitallegacyassociation.org/for-the-public

• Quaker Social Action

Charitable organisation committed to addressing the impact of funeral poverty. Provides resources to help reduce funeral debt.

quakersocialaction.org.uk

• Funeral Guide

Provides information about all aspects of arranging a funeral, including Woodland Burial and Green funerals. Also bereavement support and managing the estate.

www.funeralguide.co.uk

• Funeral Inspirations

Independent website which offers a comprehensive catalogue of ideas and information, businesses, books and organisations for funeral planning. www.funeralinspirations.co.uk

• National Association of Funeral Directors www.nafd.org.uk

• National Federation of Funeral Directors www.nffd.org.uk

• The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors www.saif.org.uk

• The Natural Death Centre Provides help, support, advice or guidance in planning a funeral.

www.naturaldeath.org.uk

Tel: 01962 712 690

Advice on religious or secular services and support

• Find a Church – The UK Church directory

www.findachurch.co.uk

• Humanists UK

Includes information about non-religious ceremonies. www.humanism.org.uk

• Muslim Bereavement Support Service

Registered Charity Serving the Muslim community by supporting bereaved women who have lost a loved one.

www.mbss.org.uk

Tel: 020 3468 7333

Useful Contacts

• Citizens Advice

Provides free, independent and confidential advice.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Teignbridge & South Hams: 03444 111444

• The Farming Community Network

Provides pastoral and practical support of all those in need in the farming community, with a particular focus on farmers and farming families.

www.fcn.org.uk

• Switchboard – LGBT + Helpline

Offers the LGBT community a safe space to talk and feel supported.

www.switchboard.lgbt

Tel: 0300 330 0630

Monday - Sunday 10am - 10pm

• Ubuntu Counselling Services

A multicultural counselling service for Devon.

www.ubuntucounsellingservices.org.uk

Bereavement Support

• At a Loss

A ‘one stop shop’ website for finding local and appropriate bereavement support services and information. Includes specific support for men.

www.ataloss.org

• Bereavement Advice Centre

Provides support and advice on what to do after a death.

www.bereavementadvice.org

Tel: 0800 634 9494

• Cruse Bereavement Care

www.cruse.org.uk

Tel: 0808 808 1677

• Dying Matters

Coalition of individual and organisational members across England and Wales, which aims to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life. Offers information and resources to support the bereaved.

www.hospiceuk.org/our-campaigns/dying-matters

• The Good Grief Trust Charity run by the bereaved for the bereaved. Offers useful information, advice and encouraging stories from others. Also has a database for national and local support organisations.

www.thegoodgrieftrust.org

• Marie Curie Free information and resources to help with suffering loss.

www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereaved-family-friends

Tel: 0800 090 2309

• Mencap

Provides information and resources about how to explain death to a person with a learning disability.

www.mencap.org.uk

Tel: 0808 808 1111

• National Bereavement Service

Provides practical and emotional assistance after a death.

www.thenbs.org

Tel: 0800 024 6121

• Samaritans of South Devon

www.samaritans.org/branches/torquay

Freephone: 116 123

Tel: 0330 094 5717

• WAY, Widowed & Young

National charity for people aged 50 or under when their partner died.

www.widowedandyoung.org.uk

Tel: 0300 201 0051

Bereavement support for children and young people

• Child Bereavement UK

Resources include guidance films on supporting children, a booklist for bereaved children and young people, including those with additional needs and an App for 11-25 year olds.

www.childbereavementuk.org

Tel: 0800 02 888 40

• Children and Families in Grief

Provides practical and emotional support for children and their families in South Devon following bereavement.

www.childrenandfamiliesingrief.co.uk

Tel: 01803 393917

• Grief Encounter

Supports bereaved children, young people and their families following the death of someone close. Resources include a Top 10 playlist for Good Grief Days, books to read, ways to remember, e-counselling and a grieftalk helpline.

www.griefencounter.org.uk

Tel: 0808 802 0111

Monday - Friday 9am - 9pm

• Hope Again

The youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care.

www.hopeagain.org.uk

Tel: 0808 808 1677

Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm

• Riprap

Developed for teenagers who have a parent with cancer. Includes bereavement support and list of websites.

www.riprap.org.uk

• Winstons Wish

Provides support for children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling. Contains resources to help grieving children.

www.winstonswish.org

Tel: 08088 020 021

Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm

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.

It is distressing to deal with a bereavement and unsolicited mail can be insensitive and destructive during a grieving process.

By scanning the below QR code on your phone or visiting www.stopmail.co.uk, we are able to securely share this information with mailing organisations and under the Data Protection Act the information will not be used for any other purpose.

Other benefits reduce the possibility of identity fraud, such as assumed identity and you will only have to supply the information once.

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, Broughton Way, Whitehills, Blackpool, Lancashire FY4 5QN 01253