Losing someone close to you can be devastating. If you have been looking after that person, the loss can feel even harder and change a huge part of your life.
There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and death can be a very different experience for each person. But it’s important to remember you are not alone, and to seek help and reach out if you need it.
Practical advice after someone dies
There can be lots to think about and sort out when someone dies, and this can be hard if you’re on your own or are unsure where to start.
Registering the death
A death must be registered within five days, but you do not have to register the death yourself. Deaths are registered at a local registry office.
Bereavement Advice has great advice and information around registering a death, death certificates and legal procedures – www.bereavementadvice.org
Arranging the funeral
Funerals allow families and friends of your loved one to grieve together, and find comfort in the send off of your loved one. Dorothy House has useful advice around planning a funeral, paying for a funeral and payment options and more – www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/patients-carers-families/carers/funerals
Wills
Your loved one may have told you about a will but you are unsure of where it is. Citizens Advice has information around the steps to take around finding your loved ones will, and how to deal with the finances of someone who has died – www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/dealing-with-the-financial-affairs-of-someone-who-has-died/
Benefits
If you were receiving Carers Allowance when the person you cared for died, this will usually continue for eight weeks from the Sunday following their death.
If you were 65 or over and entitled to Invalid Care Allowance (as Carers Allowance was then called) on 27 October 2002, you will be entitled to Carer’s Allowance indefinitely.
Find more information on what you may be entitled to on the Government’s website, including information around bereavement support payments – www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
Housing
For advice about housing situations after someone has died, Shelter has information and a helpline you can call to discuss any queries or worries you might have – england.shelter.org.uk
Other resources or organisations that may be able to help you
- Cruse Bereavement Care
- Dorothy House
- Age UK
- Alzheimers Support
- Marie Curie
- Macmillan
- At A Loss
- Child Bereavement UK
- The Compassionate Friends
- DrugFam
- WAY
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
- Also have a look at –
- Our blogs and resource centre on a wide range of topics
- GriefCast – A podcast sharing stories of loss and grief
- The Blurt Foundation – uplifting resources and blogs on depression
- What’s Your Grief – a USA website with blogs and resources for those dealing with grief
- If you have a child that is struggling with loss Wiltshire Treehouse is a children’s bereavement service that is currently offering a new bereavement project for school children ages 6 – 11, which will run from the Trowbridge area 3 times a year. The programme is open to all Wiltshire children in this age group. By using creative activities young people will be able to express their grief and explore coping strategies, as well as connecting with others who are bereaved. For more details visit https://www.wiltshiretreehouse.org.uk/uploaded_files/1083/images/NEST%20leaflet%20Wilts%20V1.pdf. To book onto this programme for your child please visit www.wiltshiretreehouse.org.uk and fill out the WILTSHIRE TREEHOUSE REFERRAL FORM on the home page.
Remember you are not alone. We are here for you.
Call us on 0800 181 4118 (Monday – Thursday 9:30 – 4:30, Fridays 9:30 – 4:00) or email us at admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk
