Oxfordshire Bereavement Guide | Page 3

CONTENTS How can Oxfordshire County Council help you? The First Steps 4  What must you do when someone dies? Registration 5  How do you register a death? 8 Registering a stillbirth The Funeral 10  What choices you have for the funeral? 14 Alternative burials Oxfordshire County Council’s Registration Service has produced this guide to help you through this difficult time. When someone close to us dies, the feelings of shock, sadness, loss and bewilderment can take over our lives. How to pay for a Funeral 1 Help & advice on the  5  costs involved We will try to help you and offer the information that we know you are likely to need in the next few weeks and months. Documents & Decisions 16  Detailed planning of the funeral We suggest what the priorities are, and explain how, where and when you register the death. Civil Funerals 17  Arranging a civil funeral We will let you know what is required by law and what choices you have in order to arrange the funeral. There is a section with information about sorting the estate. Losing a loved one presents many challenges when you feel least able to deal with them. Organisations providing support are listed should you need to contact them. Probate 18  How do you sort out the estate of the deceased? It is our aim to provide a sympathetic, helpful and considerate service to help you make the necessary decisions and arrangements. It is important to us that you have the best and clearest information and guidance to make sure that the arrangements you make are the ones that are best for you, your family and friends. Contacts 20  Who else do you need to contact? Jacquie Bugeja Head of Oxfordshire Registration & Coroner's Services (Proper Officer for Registration) Wills & Memorials 19  What if there's no will? Child death 21 Children under 18 Help & Support 22  How can you get help and support with bereavement? Oxfordshire 28 Crematoriums and Oxfordshire Registration Service Offices Funeral Directors 30 Local funeral directors Customer Satisfaction 32  What can you do if things go wrong?