484 City Road  Sheffield  S2 1GD
Telephone: 0114 2398304  Fax: 0114 2398320  E-mail: k-s@funeralservice.freeserve.co.uk

Advice

There are many questions you will be asked by the funeral director.  Has the deceased left any definite instructions for their funeral?  These instructions may be in the form of a will, or just noted and left with a solicitor, relative or friend or even with their insurance documents, medical cards etc.  If no instructions have been left it is usual for the next of kin or executor to make the necessary decisions.  Although there is no legal obligation to carry out wishes previously expressed by the deceased, it is usual to do so.

What to do at the time of bereavement

The following information is a brief guide.   Procedures may vary slightly through the country, but your Funeral Director will assist you.

If death occurs at home (or in a nursing home)

If death occurs at home you must telephone the Doctor, who will visit and carry out a medical examination to confirm this.  Once satisfied with the results of their examination the Doctor will issue the Medical Certificate of Death (you may be asked to collect it from the surgery). You then need to contact your Funeral Director, as soon as possible, who will arrange to visit you, at a suitable time, day or night.  (If death occurs in a nursing home, the staff will arrange for the Doctor to visit).

If death occurs in hospital

One of the nursing staff will see you and arrange for the Doctor to issue the Medical Certificate of Death.  At this stage it is helpful if you can tell them, if the funeral is to be a cremation.  This allows them time to complete the extra documentation that is required. You then need to contact your Funeral Director, who will arrange to visit you at a suitable time, day or night.

Sudden death 

When death occurs unexpectedly it is usual procedure for the police to be involved but you must not let it cause you concern.  In these circumstances, it is also possible for the death to be reported to the Coroner.  When this happens the procedures are somewhat different. You will need to contact your Funeral Director who will arrange to visit you, day or night, and guide you through the process.

Registration

This is the only part of the funeral arrangements that the Funeral Director cannot carry out on your behalf.  You will need to do this personally.  You will need to take with you to the Registrars the Medical Certificate of Death, the Medical Card and Birth Certificate of the deceased.  They, in turn, will give you the necessary documentation needed to proceed. Some Registrars' work on an appointment basis only.

Useful numbers

Below is a useful list of local offices and telephone numbers of people you may wish or need to contact.  Do not be worried about contacting any of these offices, all the staff are helpful and understanding.

Register Office - In Sheffield, visits to the Registrars is on an appointment basis only. The Register Office, Surrey Place, Sheffield 1.  Telephone number: Sheffield (0114) 203 9427.

The Coroner's Office - The Sheffield Coroner is based at the Medico Legal Centre, Watery Street, Sheffield, S3 7ES.  He can be reached during office hours, Monday to Friday on Sheffield (0114) 273 8721. 

Cemeteries & Crematoria - The head office for the council run Cemeteries & Crematoria is at City Road, Sheffield, S2 1GD - Telephone number: Sheffield (0114) 239 6068.  They hold the records and deal with any enquires regarding the following cemeteries:-
Abbey Lane, Beighton, Burncross, Burngreave, City Road, Crookes, Darnall, Ecclesfield, Handsworth, Intake, Norton, Shiregreen, Stocksbridge, Tinsley Park, Wisewood and Woodhouse.

They also hold the records and administer for both City Road and Hutcliffe Wood Crematoria along with the Garden of Remembrance (which is adjacent to Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium).

Recently opened at the north of the city is the privately run Grenoside Crematorium.  They are situated on Skew Hill Lane, Grenoside, Sheffield, S30.  Telephone number: Sheffield (0114) 245 3999.

The Social Fund - It is possible that you may be able to qualify for assistance towards funeral expenses from the social fund if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

	Housing Benefit
	Council Tax Benefit
	Income Support
	Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
	Working Families Tax Credit
	Disabled Persons Tax Credit

It is impossible for the Funeral Director to say if you do qualify, however, they should be able to supply you with an application form.  Contact your local office.

Support & Comfort Groups 

Here are just a few of the worthy groups who willing support us when things are difficult.

cruse - Offers help to all bereaved people including children and young people.  Someone to listen and give practical advice regarding legal, financial, housing and other day to day matters.  They are a compassionate group of volunteers.  The local office is at 14-18 West Bar Green, Sheffield S1 2DA and their telephone number is Sheffield (0114) 249 3328. 

The Samaritans - are always there to listen - 24 hours a day.  They are caring, understanding people.  The local office is at 26 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield and open between 10 am and 10 pm.  Their 24 hour telephone number is Sheffield (0114) 276 7277. Their e-mail address is: jo@samaritans.org

SANDS - these are a very special group of people.  They provide support for bereaved parents and their families whose baby has died at or soon after birth.  They are all volunteers.  The local office has been headed by Maureen Edmunson for many years and she welcomes contact from those who need her.  The local telephone number is 01246 412370.  There is a freephone number 0800 1699341 and the National number is 020 743 65881.  They also have a website, look under www.uk-sands.org.