We know just how difficult a time it can be when someone close to us dies. The feelings of shock, sadness, loss and bewilderment can take over our lives. It is also a time when there are so many things to be done, just when we feel least able to do them.
Bereavement
Oxfordshire County Council’s Registration Service has produced a Bereavement Guide (pdf format, 1.6 M), also available as a smaller, plain text version (pdf format, 194 KB), to help you through this difficult time.
It provides guidance, support and reassurance and will help you to get all the information you'll need to help you through your bereavement.
The law
The main legal requirements in England and Wales are that:
- the death has to be certified by a doctor or coroner
- the death is registered with a registrar
- the body should either be cremated or buried.
There is no legal requirement to have a funeral ceremony of any kind.
Choosing a funeral
A funeral can be either by burial or by cremation. You can organise it with or without the help of a funeral director and personalise it as much as you wish. In some cases the deceased may have planned their own funeral in advance.
There are many different types of funeral and it is useful to remember that:
- you can decide for yourself what form any ceremony you choose to have should take
- you do not have to use a funeral director - though the vast majority of people do
- you can choose a religious, humanist or civil ceremony
- you do not have to use a clergyman unless you want an Anglican service
- you can choose a ceremony that reflects any religious beliefs or multicultural traditions
- you don't have to hold the funeral ceremony in a licensed building - it can be held in your home
- your ceremony does not have to take place in a crematorium or place of worship
- you can be buried on private land, such as your own garden, as long as there is nothing in the deeds restricting the use of the property. However, you must inform your local planning office and environmental health department (only one burial is allowed without planning permission).
Role of the funeral director
The majority of people choose to use a professional funeral director. This can help during what is generally a stressful time, and will ensure that the remains of the deceased are dealt with in a dignified way. Your funeral director can advise you about the options available to you.
Choosing a funeral director
Friends, family, clergy or your doctor may be able to recommend local funeral directors. Most local companies are listed in the telephone directory.
Most funeral directors are members of one of two trade associations:
Member companies must provide you with a price list on request and cannot exceed any written estimate they give you without your permission.
Making a will
Anyone can make a will. It is the best way to make sure that your property and possessions are passed on to family and friends.
For information on making a will, go to:
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