Oxfordshire County Council Bereavement Guide 2024 OCC Bereavement Guide 24 | Page 3

Contents

How can Oxfordshire County Council help you ?

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 .
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 .
We suggest what the priorities are , and explain how , where and when you register the death .
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 out 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 .
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 .
Oxfordshire Registration Service
THE FIRST STEPS
2 What must you do when someone dies ?
REGISTRATION
4 How do you register a death ? 7 After registering a death
The ' Tell Us Once ' service 8 Hospital bereavement services 10 The Coroner 12 Registering a still-birth 14 Death of a Child
FUNERALS
15 What choices do you have ?
18 Choosing a Funeral Director Alternative burials Funeral plans
19 Help and advice on the costs involved
DOCUMENTS
20 Detailed planning of the funeral
CIVIL FUNERALS
21 Arranging a civil funeral
PROBATE
22 How do you sort out the estate ?
WILLS AND MEMORIALS
25 What if there ' s no will ? Memorial Ceremonies
CONTACTS
26 Who else do you need to contact ?
HELP AND SUPPORT
28 How can you get help and support with bereavement ?
OXFORDSHIRE
34 Crematoriums and Oxfordshire Registration Service Offices
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
36 Local funeral directors
YOUR RIGHTS 40 Help if things go wrong