Help & Advice

Planning a funeral can be a very difficult time. You may have many questions such as what’s the average funeral cost? How do I plan a funeral? How much does cremation cost? is there a funeral planning checklist I can use? where do I get ideas for funeral readings or funeral speeches?

We’re here to help you with all these questions so please call us for advice on 0113 345 3160.

How much you get also depends on any other money available, eg from an insurance policy or the deceased’s estate. If you don’t qualify for a Funeral Payment you may be able to get help with the cost of a funeral in other ways, e.g by using money from the deceased’s bank account.

For full details on help with Funeral Costs and how to apply click the button below.

Further details

Our Help & Advice

We’ve put together some helpful resources to answer the immediate question you may have.

  • What to do when someone dies
    For immediate help or advice please call us 0113 3453160

    Remember, when calling this number, you will speak directly to a member of our family who will help you through every stage of the process and answer any question you may have.

  • When a death occurs in hospital or a hospice

    When a death occurs in hospital or hospice, it is usually expected by the doctors treating the patient.

    This means that the doctor will be able to issue a Cause of Death Certificate which in turn is used to register the death. The medical cause of death certificate is usually issued via the bereavement officer at the hospital and can be collected by arrangement with them. If for any reason the doctor feels they are not in a position to issue the cause of death certificate they will refer the case to the Coroner who will decide whether a certificate can be issued or whether further investigation is necessary.

    If further investigation is required, a Post Mortem Examination may be ordered, this is usually to determine the exact cause of death. In most cases this will not necessarily cause delay in making funeral arrangements. After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the body to the funeral director and supply the Register Office with the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend and register the death.

    You are welcome to contact us on 0113 3453160, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements.

  • In a nursing or care home

    When a death occurs in a nursing or care home, the deceased’s usual doctor, or an on call doctor, will be called to confirm death. Only after the doctor has attended can the family or home staff call the funeral director to take the deceased into their care.

    The deceased’s normal doctor will issue the Medical Cause of Death Certificate and this is normally collected from the surgery in order to register the death. You are welcome to contact us on 0113 3453160, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any advice, to take your loved one into our care, or to start making provisional arrangements.

    If the death is unexpected, the death may be reported to the Coroner in which case the police will attend on the Coroner’s behalf and the *Coroner’s nominated funeral director will be called to remove the deceased to hospital to await further investigations.

    After the Coroner has carried out their investigations, they will release the body to the funeral director and supply the Register Office with the appropriate paperwork for the family to attend and register the death.

    *Please note – You are under no obligation to use the Coroner’s funeral director for funeral arrangements. They are only contracted to convey the deceased to hospital, or store the body until it can be taken to the hospital if out of normal working hours. You are welcome to contact us on 0113 3453160, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for any advice or to start making provisional arrangements.

  • Help with the cost of funerals
    You could get help with a funeral payment if you’re on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral that you’re arranging.

    How much you get depends on your circumstances and if you qualify to get a Funeral Payment you must be responsible for the funeral and:

    • Claim in time ( you must apply within 3 months of the funeral)
    • Get certain benefits or tax credits
    • Meet the rules on your relationship with the deceased

    How much you get also depends on any other money available, eg from an insurance policy or the deceased’s estate. If you don’t qualify for a Funeral Payment you may be able to get help with the cost of a funeral in other ways, e.g by using money from the deceased’s bank account. For full details on help with Funeral Costs and how to apply go to https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility The rules are different if the person died outside the UK.

  • Useful links

    Help with funeral payments:

    https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/overview

    Bereavement support:

    http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/bereavement/Pages/coping-with-bereavement.aspx

    http://www.nhs.uk/Planners/end-of-life-care/Pages/what-is-end-of-life-care.aspx

    http://www.lbforum.org.uk/index.htm

    http://www.cruse.org.uk/

    Health and wellbeing and carers support:

    http://www.carersleeds.org.uk/our-support-service/health-and-wellbeing/

    Fundraising support:

    https://www.justgiving.com/