Useful links and information
Over the years I have gathered some useful contacts that may be useful...
Local Links
You are not alone...
There’s no formula for how to respond to the death of a loved one.
Feeling numb, empty, sad, afraid, angry, guilty and relieved are all perfectly normal and natural reactions.
One of the most valuable things that I learned following my loss was the importance of talking to someone – it really does help.
With time, and the right support, feelings of grief tend to become lessintense, and you can start to adjust.
Listed here are a some national organisations that may be able to help you...
AtaLoss
Directory of bereavement support organisations.
www.ataloss.org
Bereavement Register
They help stop unsolicited mail.
Tel: 020 7089 6403
www.thebereavementregister.org.uk
The Compassionate Friends (TCF)
Provides peer support to bereaved parents, adult siblings and grandparents who have experienced the death of a child of any age.
Tel: 0345 123 2304
www.tcf.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Provides information, support and counselling for bereaved people.
Tel: 0808 808 1677
www.cruse.org.uk
Death Notification Service
Notify multiple financial organisations of someone’s death.
www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk
DWP Bereavement Service
Carries out benefit eligibility checks, and takes claims for Bereavement Support Payments and Funeral Expenses Payments.
Tel: 0800 151 2012
Financial Conduct Authority
Regulates pre-paid funeral plans and has a list of regulated providers.
Tel: 0800 111 6768
www.fca.org.uk
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
Contact them to register a death abroad or to find a certified translator for a death certificate.
Tel: 020 7008 5000
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/foreign-commonwealth-development-office
General Register Office (GRO)
Registers births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales.
Tel: 0300 123 1837
www.gro.gov.uk/gro
HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS)
For information on probate.
HMCTS helpline: 0300 303 0648
www.gov.uk/government/collections/probate-forms
HMRC helpline for probate and Inheritance Tax enquiries
For information about taxes, including probate, Inheritance Tax and trusts and deceased estates.
Tel: 0300 123 1072
Human Tissue Authority
Provides information about body donation for medical research, as well as details of medical schools.
Tel: 020 7269 1900
www.hta.gov.uk
Jobcentre Plus
Provides information on benefits, loans, grants and funeral payments.
Tel: 0800 169 0190
www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
Law Society of England and Wales
Helps people find a solicitor and produces guides on legal issues.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/public/for-public-visitors
Life Ledger
Free online service that lets you notify multiple businesses of someone’s death at the same time, from banks to utilities companies.
www.lifeledger.com
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
Independent trade association within the funeral profession.
Tel: 0121 711 1343
www.nafd.org.uk
National Bereavement Service
Provides information on all aspects of bereavement.
Tel: 0800 0246 121
www.thenbs.org
National Insurance Contributions Office
For information about National Insurance contributions.
Tel: 0300 200 3500
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs
National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
(SAIF)
Trade association of independent funeral directors.
Tel: 0345 230 6777 or 01279 726 777
www.saif.org.uk
National Will Register
You can pay for this service to check if a will has been made or to confirm you have the most up-to-date version.
Tel: 0330 100 3660
www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/search-for-a-will
NHS Organ Donor Register
Service where you can register an organ donation decision.
Tel: 0300 123 23 23
www.organdonation.nhs.uk
Office of Care and Protection
Registers enduring powers of attorney in Northern Ireland.
Tel: 0300 200 7812
www.justice-ni.gov.uk/topics/courts-and-tribunals/office-care-and-protection-patients-section
Office of the Public Guardian
Registers powers of attorney and helps attorneys carry out their duties.
Tel: 0300 456 0300
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-public-guardian
Probate Registry
Online directory you can search to find will and probate records for someone who died after 1857.
www.gov.uk/search-will-probate
Quaker Social Action
Offers practical help and support to anyone struggling to pay for a funeral through its Down to Earth programme.
Tel: 020 8983 5055
www.quakersocialaction.org.uk
Samaritans
Free 24/7 helpline for people in distress.
Tel: 116 123
www.samaritans.org
Tax Help for Older People
Offers free tax advice to older people on low incomes.
Tel: 01308 488066
www.taxvol.org.uk
Tell Us Once service
www.gov.uk/tell-us-once
Turn2us
Helps people access benefits, grants and other financial help.
www.turn2us.org.uk
Veterans UK
Administers pension and welfare schemes and provides support services for members of the Armed Forces and veterans.
Tel: 0808 1914 2 18
www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk
War Widows’ Association of Great Britain
Offers help and support to all war widows and their dependants.
Tel: 0845 2412 189
www.warwidows.org.uk
Winston’s Wish
Offers support, information and guidance to people caring for a bereaved child or young person.
Tel: 08088 020 021
www.winstonswish.org