After a death

Below are some links to sources of information and support after someone has died. 

What to do after a death

• Practical advice after a death (NHS Inform)
• What to do after a death in Scotland, practical advice for times of bereavement (Scottish Government)
• When someone dies (UK Government information)
• Supporting families in Scotland with the child death review process
• Tell us once a service provided by the UK government that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.
• Pushing up the Daisies charity that supports people to take time after a death and consider what is right for them

Funerals

Planning a funeral

• Arranging a funeral Scottish Government information
• Arranging a funeral Age Scotland information
• Caledonia Cremations information about ‘direct cremations’
• Caledonia Funeral Aid - Funeral Choices: A Helpful Guide
• Queer Funeral Guide. - Resource to support LGBTQIA+ inclusion in funerals. 

Paying for the funeral

• Funeral Support Payment information from Citizen’s Advice Scotland
• Caledonia Funeral Aid provides advice for those organising a funeral, and help and support for those faced with worry about funeral costs
• How much does a funeral cost? Information from Money Helper
• Help paying for a funeral Information from Money Helper

Finding a funeral director

• National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors
• National Association of Funeral Directors

Practical matters

• What happens to your debts after you die? information from Advice Scotland
• Bereavement Advice Centre includes information about legal issues and money & tax issues

Bereavement

Find bereavement support

These websites are designed to help you find the bereavement support that is right for you: 

• Grief Support Guide: Finding the bereavement support that’s right for you
• At A Loss this website provides information about support available in different areas
• Good Grief Hub a diverse library of resources alongside a directory of organisations currently offering support in the UK.

Support organisations

Below are some national organisations that provide support for specific circumstances.

• Cruse Scotland Bereavement Support provides support to bereaved adults and children across Scotland.
• The Compassionate Friends supporting bereaved parents and their families
• Survival of Bereavement by Suicide peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss
• The Samaritans Samaritans runs Facing the Future, free online peer support groups for people bereaved by suicide.
• Petal Support support for people affected by murder, culpable homicide, and suicide
• WAY Widowed and Young peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday 
• Sue Ryder online community a place to share experiences, get things off your chest, ask questions and chat to people who understand.
• The Student Grief Network ‘Student Good Grief’ is a free online peer-support group, twice each month
• Beatson Cancer Charity 1-to-1 emotional support, signposting and support groups for people bereaved by cancer 

Bereavement support for children and young people

• Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. 
• Richmond’s Hope provides support for children and young people aged 4-18 years who have been bereaved.
• Winston’s Wish helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief.
• Grief Encounter - bereavement support services for individuals, families, schools and professionals
• East Lothian Council information on bereavement, loss and grief

Information about bereavement

• Talking about bereavement NHS Health Scotland leaflet
• Coping with Grief NHS Inform Information
• About bereavement and grief Sue Ryder information
• Bereavement - Age Scotland information
• A Bereavement Charter for Children and Adults in Scotland: Guidance Notes