Bereavement Information
A list of useful resources for helping all ages through pre and post bereavement, and for supporting their families.
Practical Support
REGISTERING A DEATH – ‘LIFE LEDGER’
Life Ledger is a ‘one stop’ platform with links to over 700 companies. You only need to register your own and the deceased person’s details once, and Life Ledger will contact all businesses and organisations to notify them of the death on your behalf. From banks and utility companies, to social media accounts and store cards, it reduces the stress of having to contact multiple companies at a difficult time. All data is protected, encrypted and managed to the highest level of security; Life Ledger has been set up in response to the often overwhelming practical difficulties faced by relatives in early bereavement. It is a free service.
NATIONAL AND LOCAL INFORMATION RE REGISTERING A DEATH
https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death
National Guidelines include a step by step guide to registering the death, what to do if the coroner is involved, how to inform the government, informing DWP, applying for probate, managing the deceased’s estate, dealing with wills etc.
If you enter your postcode there is a link to the local council information about registering the death and other bereavement services, such as cemeteries and the crematorium.
Information for the Christchurch area.
Information for the Bournemouth area.
https://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/birthsdeathsmarriages/BereavementServices/BereavementServices.aspx
A comprehensive online booklet online that tells you how to register a death and plan a funeral
To register a death in the Dorset area
Information regarding funerals
https://www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk/
A comprehensive guide to wills, probate and funerals
Bereavement Advice & Resources
BEREAVEMENT ADVICE CENTRE
https://www.bereavementadvice.org/
Really good website, easy to use and very accessible information about what to do after a death, registering a death, who to inform, probate, wills, and information about grief.
CRUSE
https://www.cruse.org.uk/ tel: 0808 8081677
National bereavement support, self-referral with suggested donation for on-going local support
Local Cruse group info: newforest@cruse.org.uk tel: 01202 418555 (covers Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, Ferndown, West Moors & New Forest
BEREAVEMENT SERVICES DIRECTORY
AT A LOSS
Signposting to bereavement services, both nationally and locally, with over 900 services listed. Includes ‘Grief Chat’ (immediate access to talk to a counsellor via a ‘live chat’ facility 9am -9pm Mon-Fri), online courses, support groups and resources.
THE GOOD GRIEF TRUST
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
Run ‘by the bereaved for the bereaved’ – an online information hub and database of over 7—bereavement services. Covers pre and post bereavement, suggested literature, video stories and blogs from the bereaved & practical information.
LET’S TALK ABOUT LOSS
https://www.letstalkaboutloss.org (national site) https://www.bournemouth@letstalkaboutloss.org (local group)
A safe online space for 18-35 year olds to talk about loss. Offers meet ups, projects, campaigns, facebook groups and blogs as well as a bereavement book club and creative writing group.
SUPPORT AFTER SUICIDE
https://supportaftersuicide.org.uk/
The Support After Suicide Partnership brings together suicide bereavement organisations and people with lived experience, to achieve a vision that everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support.
WE ARE STRONG MEN
Our aim is to support men following bereavement. Grief can cause severe mental and physical health conditions which are often overlooked and even ignored, especially in men. Offers telephone support , physical activities, talks and blogs for men affected by bereavement.
WAY (Widowed And Young)
https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
A national charity and members only online forum for anyone aged 50 or under when their partner died. This applies to whether you are married or not, with or without children, and whatever your sexual orientation. Offers online discussion, peer-to-peer support, advice and a 24 hour telephone helpline (for members), as well as the opportunity to meet up and have social support from other bereaved people.
WAY UP
Free membership online forum for those in their 50s and 60s whose partner has died. The emphasis is on ‘rebuilding lives and discovering that life can be good again’, through mutual support and friendship. Provides a variety of groups and calendar of events.
Macmillan Unit Ward at Christchurch Hospital
Patient Enquiries: 0300 019 5470
Charity Office: 01202 477 628
Fundraising Enquiries: lin@macmillanlocal.org
For further information about “Macmillan Caring Locally” please write to: Neal Williams, Trust Secretary, Macmillan Caring Locally, The Macmillan Unit, Christchurch Hospital, Fairmile Road, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 2JX
Email: neal@macmillanlocal.org
Support the Future of Compassionate Care
Patient referrals to our service have increased significantly in the last ten years.The existing Macmillan Unit was built in 1974 and is now far too small for the number of people under our care. We have been setting aside funds to build a new Unit for many years.
Our patients receive the best possible care from our dedicated team of professionals and volunteers. Help us to provide them with the best possible facilities too.
Please help us in any way you can to reach this goal, so that we can start the build.
