Births
All births should be registered within 42 days. For further details on how to register a birth, click here.
Bereavements
It can be a very difficult time when somebody dies, even when the death is expected. If the death is unexpected please call 999. If the death is expected please telephone us during our opening hours or telephone 111 to inform us. There are other people which need to be informed and further information on this can be found here.
There is a Sussex Bereavement Helpline who can offer practical advice on the tasks that need to be completed after a death and support for the bereaved as they grieve. Their telephone number is 0300 111 2141.
There are various other charities and support groups that are able to provide support in times of bereavement. One of these charities is Cruse Bereavement Service. They can be contacted on 0808 808 1677 or you can find their website by clicking here.
Arranging the funeral
The funeral can usually only take place after the death is registered. Most people use a funeral director, although you can arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral directors
Choose a funeral director who’s a member of one of the following:
These organisations have codes of practice - they must give you a price list when asked.
Some local councils run their own funeral services, for example for non-religious burials. The British Humanist Association can also help with non-religious funerals.
Arranging the funeral yourself
Contact the Cemeteries and Crematorium Department of your local council if you wish to arrange a funeral yourself.
Funeral costs
Funeral costs can include:
- funeral director fees
- things the funeral director pays for on your behalf (called ‘disbursements’ or ‘third-party costs’), for example, crematorium or cemetery fees, or a newspaper announcement about the death
- local authority burial or cremation fees
Funeral directors may list all these costs in their quotes.
Divorce
When you’re going through divorce and separation it can be really hard to find support from others who know what you’re going through. It can be an extremely isolating time and sometimes it is nice to know that there are others who know how you are feeling and can understand how difficult it is
There are many organisations out there that have online communities where you can find other adults who might be local to you, and also going through a divorce or separation. Some organisations even have local support groups although it might mean that you have to do a bit of research yourself to find these. The single parent charity Gingerbread offer a wealth of support and you can access their online community by clicking here. They can also help you start up your own group if there aren’t any in your area and if this is something you would be interested in
Financial hardship
If you don’t have enough to live on, you might be able to get help from the government or your local council to afford essentials like bills and food. This includes the Household Support Fund and Cost of Living Payments. For further information about additional help and support you may be able to receive, click here.