Recommendation 80: Practical help for relatives

Assisting relatives in the following practical matters: – collecting the deceased’s personal belongings and arranging return to relatives; – ensuring provision of certificate of death and the formal notice; – explaining the procedure to register the death; – providing support in attending the registry office if requested; – arranging contact with funeral director; – arranging contact with hospital chaplain and/or local priest as required; – contacting the Coroner’s office as appropriate; – offering to attend if contact with police necessary; – ensuring that the General Practitioner is informed; – ensuring that schools are informed as appropriate (including the schools of siblings); – assisting the relatives in informing other persons, including other relatives, friends and employers, of the death and its consequences; – assisting the relatives in dealing with the Benefits Agency, insurance company, housing matters; – assisting the relatives to place announcements in newspapers if wished.