Halton Registration & Bereavement Services

Halton Registration and Bereavement Services appreciate how difficult it is when someone close to you dies. We pride ourselves in providing a caring service at this time. We are here to guide you as easily as possible through this period. We will offer to explain what can be quite complex rules and regulations. There are a number of things that need to be done, this brochure will explain the complex rules and regulations and highlight the important issues you will need to address. The information given to us will be treated with the strictest confidence and will not be passed on to anyone who is not entitled to it by law.

1

Runcorn Town Hall

WHO MAY REGISTER THE DEATH? One of the following persons has a legal obligation to register the death: • A relative of the deceased • A person present at the death • A person arranging the funeral (not the funeral director) The administrator of an Elderly Persons Home or the Hospital Administrator where the death occurred, can register the death. If you are unsure whether you can register the death please telephone the Register Office for advice.

2

WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF A DEATH WHERE DO YOU REGISTER A DEATH? A death will normally be registered in the Registration District where it occurred. If the death occurred elsewhere, it may be possible to register in your local Registration District. This may delay the funeral, as the declaration details need to be sent to the registration district where the death occurred and then your documents sent to you, all via the postal service. For Further information and advice call Halton Register Office on 0303 333 4300 and ask for extension 3167. WHEN DOES A DEATH NEED TO BE REGISTERED? The death must normally be registered within five days unless the Coroner is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

3

WHAT DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION WILL BE NEEDED?

The person who is going to register the death will need to bring a “medical certificate of cause of death” issued by a doctor who has been in attendance upon the deceased. If the death has been referred to the Coroner, the Coroner's Officer will advise you what to do.

The Registrar will see the person registering the death in private and they will need to provide the following information about the deceased:

If the deceased was in receipt of a pension or allowance from public funds, e.g. a Civil Service or Armed Forces Pension, please advise the Registrar.

THERE IS NO FEE FOR REGISTERING A DEATH. IF YOU REQUIRE A CERTIFIED COPY SHOWING THE REGISTER ENTRY (a death certificate) A FEE IS PAYABLE.

• Date and place of death • Full name and surname • Maiden name if applicable • Date and place of birth

(a birth certificate or passport is useful, but not essential)

• Occupation • Usual address • If the person who has died was married, widowed or a civil partner, the full name and occupation of their wife, husband or civil partner are necessary • The date of birth of the surviving widow, widower or civil partner

It is important that the person registering the death checks the registration entry carefully before signing. It is a legal document which becomes difficult to correct at a later date.

ORGANISING THE FUNERAL

• Check the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan • Contact a funeral director, they will discuss costs with you • If the deceased doesn’t have enough money in their estate (this is their

property and possessions) to cover the cost of the funeral, the Department of Works and Pensions maybe able to assist you

INFORMING ORGANISATIONS REGARDING PENSIONS AND FINANCES Different people have different circumstances and the people you need to contact will vary. The following is not a complete list – but it will remind you of some of the important issues to address.

• Contact the Department for Work and Pensions to get any benefit or pension payments stopped

• Under 60yrs tel: 0845 608 8503 • 60yrs & over tel: 0845 606 0265 • Disability Living Allowance tel: 0845 7123456

• Contact the person’s employer and Trade Union regarding any pensions

etc

• Contact the Inland Revenue – there may be an Income Tax refund

• Inform any banks, building societies or credit card companies that the person used

• Contact any insurance companies regarding any policies

• If they had any premium bonds you will need to advise the National

Savings and Investments (forms for this can be obtained from any Post Office)

4

THINGS TO BE DONE AFTER REGISTRATION IS COMPLETE

5

OTHER PEOPLE TO ADVISE • Social Services Department to cancel meals-on-wheels, home help or day

centre care etc • Council Housing Department or Private Landlord • Council Tax Department and Housing Benefit Section (if appropriate) • Any Hospital the person was attending • Family doctor, dentist etc • Gas, electricity, water and telephone suppliers • Contact the Post Office to arrange for any mail to be redirected DOCUMENTS AND ITEMS TO RETURN • Return any library books • Passport should be returned to the Passport Agency • Driving Licence should be returned to the DVLA • Registration documents of a car - for change of ownership • Any season tickets and/or concessionary travel documents, e.g. Bus Pass • Any memberships cards (e.g. National Trust) - to claim any refunds • Return any equipment that was borrowed from a hospital or Social Services • Car Insurance Certificate (please note that if you are insured to drive the car under

the deceased person’s name, you will cease to be legally insured) PROBATE When someone dies you may need to obtain a grant of representation (Probate) to enable you deal with their estate. This can done by using a solicitor. For advice contact the Probate & Inheritance Tax Helpline on 0845 3020 900 (calls to this number are charged at local rate). These lines are available Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm. For more information you can visit their website at: www.theprobateservice.gov.uk and click on 'Forms & Guidance'.

BEREAVEMENT SERVICES

The Bereavement Services Office is situated within the grounds of Widnes Cemetery and is open Monday-Friday, 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. The office is closed on Sunday, Bank and Public holidays. Telephone number 0151 471 7332. Halton Borough Council operate three Cemeteries and one Crematorium:- WIDNES CEMETERY Situated on Birchfield Road, the Cemetery opened in 1898 and contains a mixture of traditional and lawned graves. All new graves are contained on inter-denominational lawned sections. This means that the whole of the grave area, with the exception of an 18” soil border at the head of the grave, is turfed over approximately 6 months following the burial. No kerbstones, edgings, or chippings are allowed, and all headstones are placed on pre-installed concrete strips. RUNCORN CEMETERY Situated on Greenway Road, the Cemetery opened in 1860 and contains a mixture of traditional and lawned graves. Most of the sections are laid out in various religious denominations, although all new grave spaces are contained on inter-denominational sections, similar to those at Widnes Cemetery. The original Garden of Remembrance is located in the centre of the Cemetery, with a recently created Garden of Remembrance containing overground cremation vaults and a memorial sundial, situated at the top of Section 23. HALTON CEMETERY This Cemetery opened in 1886 and offers no new grave spaces. The smallest of our Cemeteries, with only approximately 6 burials taking place per year.

6

7

WIDNES CREMATORIUM

Music is a very important part of the funeral service, and can provide a fitting background for private thoughts about the deceased. An organ is situated in the Chapel, which is also equipped with a sound system and a library of various musical pieces. If the required piece of music is not already available, families may provide their own CDs. It is usual for music to be played on entry and exit from the Chapel. The singing of hymns can be included in the service or alternative pieces of music played. You may choose from popular or classical music, hymns or a combination of these types. GARDENS OF REMEMBERANCE

COMMEMORATION There are various forms of memorialisation available, including bronze or granite plaques, memorial trees, rose bushes, benches or overground vaults for cremated remains. Details of the above may be obtained from our Bereavement Services Office. BOOK OF REMEMBERANCE The Book of Remembrance is housed in the Remembrance Hall (next to the Crematorium Chapel) and is displayed in a glass fronted cabinet, with designated areas for you to place floral tributes. On display each day of the year, once an entry has been inscribed, it remains there for all time.

There are two Gardens of Remembrance at the rear of the Crematorium Chapel, both providing a peaceful and tranquil place in which to gather your thoughts and also, if you wish, to have your loved one’s remains scattered. In order to maintain the Service’s high standards of maintenance within the grounds, relatives and friends of the deceased are respectfully asked to refrain from placing impromptu memorials in the gardens but are welcome to place flowers on the scattering beds.

The Crematorium is a Grade II listed Chapel, situated within the grounds of Widnes Cemetery. It opened in 1959, and can accommodate 70 people, with additional standing room in the entrance hall. For disabled persons visiting the Crematorium Chapel, there is a ramped entrance, loop system and a wheelchair is available, if required. All service books are available in large type or braille.

8

WIDNES, RUNCORN AND HALTON CEMETERIES/WIDNES CREMATORIUM OPENING TIMES

The Cemetery grounds, Book of Remembrance and Gardens of Remembrance are open to visitors every day of the year as follows:- 1st November-31st January 9.00am – 4.30pm 1st February-28thFebruary 9.00am – 6.00pm 1st March-31st March 9.00am – 7.00pm 1st April-31st August 9.00am – 8.00pm 1st September-31st October 9.00am – 7.00pm FAMILY RESEARCH Bereavement Services receives many requests from people researching their family history. The Burial Registers for the three cemeteries are held in the Bereavement Services Office. You may search the registers for one hour free of charge, provided that you pre-book the room in advance by telephoning the Bereavement Services Office two days before you wish to conduct your search. SAFTEY INSPECTIONS OF MEMORIALS Bereavement Services are currently carrying out safety inspections on all memorials within the Council’s three cemeteries. These inspections are being undertaken in accordance with advice issued to local authorities by the Health and Safety Executive and the recent Memorial Safety Guidance 2009 issued by the Ministry of Justice. A yellow safety-warning label is fixed to any memorial found to be unsafe. This is to advise owners to contact Bereavement Services and not to touch the memorial unless they are having the memorial repaired by a qualified memorial mason. A list of registered Memorial Masons can be obtained from Bereavement Services Office. Memorials will be made safe using a temporary support system, or in some cases laying the memorial flat on the ground or setting it into the ground. Any memorial found to be unsafe, must be upgraded to the current NAMM (National Association of Memorial Masons) Code of Working Practice. New memorials must also be fitted with an approved ground anchor system. For further information on the memorial inspection programme, please contact a member of Bereavement Services staff.

WHAT KIND OF FUNERAL? When someone dies it is an emotional, distressing and painful time. Families and close friends of the deceased need to make key decisions, whether to have a burial or cremation; where to hold the ceremony, who is to conduct the ceremony and any special needs considered. Every family is different; some prefer a religious service, and others follow and observe cultural traditions. An increasing number are finding that a civil funeral ceremony is the more appropriate choice for them to make. WHAT IS A CIVIL FUNERAL CEREMONY? A Civil Funeral Ceremony is a dignified and formal non-religious ceremony. It is appropriate for both burial and cremation. It focuses on the life of the deceased, their character and achievements and will allow family and friends the freedom to make choices as to the content and style of the funeral.

WHO CONDUCTS AND PLANS THE CEREMONY? A civil funeral ceremony is planned and conducted by a trained civil funeral celebrant, employed by Halton Borough Council. The celebrant will work with the bereaved to design a meaningful and appropriate ceremony. This is, after all, the final act of love and respect. The celebrant will discuss ideas and make suggestions based on their previous experience and knowledge. Suitable readings, poetry and choice of music will be offered to personalise the ceremony. CAN FAMILY AND FRIENDS TAKE PART? Some people will find it impossible to take an active part in a funeral ceremony for a close relation or friend. There is absolutely no reason for anyone to feel the need to take an active role. In such circumstances the celebrant can read a tribute and deliver the eulogy. Alternatively, family members and friends may speak if that is their wish and if they feel able to do so. The celebrant will therefore design the service around your needs and wishes.

9

10

HOW TO ARRANGE A CIVIL FUNERAL CEREMONY

Ceremonies may be arranged through the Council’s Registration or Bereavement Services, using the following contact details:

OUR PROMISE TO YOU Our staff will be polite, courteous and identifiable by name. We will interview you in private. If you telephone us and the staff member is busy, a message will be taken and we will call you back as soon as possible.

Registration Services Tel: 0303 333 4300 Ext: 3167 Fax: 01928 573616 E-mail registrationoffice@halton.gov.uk Address: The Register Office, Runcorn Town Hall, Heath Road, Runcorn, WA7 5TN Bereavement Services Tel: 151 471 7332 Fax: 0151 423 0729 E-mail: michelle.carter@halton.gov.uk Address: Bereavement Services Manager, Cemetery Lodge, Birchfield Road, Widnes, WA8 9EE

11

LOCAL REGISTER OFFICES

Halton: The Register Office, Runcorn Town Hall, Heath Road, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 5TN Halton Direct Link, Brook Street, Widnes, Cheshire, WA8 6NB Tel: 0303 333 4300 Knowsley: The Register Office, Priestcote House, High Street, Prescot, Merseyside L34 3LD Tel: 0151 443 2900 Liverpool: The Register Office, The Cotton Exchange, Old Hall Street, Liverpool L3 9UF Tel: 0151 233 3004 St Helens: The Register Office, Central Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1UJ Tel: 01744 456789 Cheshire East: The Register Office, Delamere House, Chester Street, Crewe, CW1 2LI Tel: 01270 505106 Cheshire West & Chester: The Register Office, Goldsmith House, Goss Street, Chester CH1 2BG Tel: 01244 602668 Warrington: The Register Office, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JX Tel: 01925 442762 Wirral: The Register Office, Town Hall, Mortimer Street, Birkenhead, L41 5EU Tel: 0151 606 2020 Please be aware that all register offices work with an appointment system so please contact the register office in the district were the death occurred to avoid any inconvenience by arriving unannounced.

12

13

14

Acknowledgements Brochures UK would like to thank all the advertisers that

have kindly participated in the production of this brochure.

The support you have offered Halton Borough Council is greatly appreciated.

Halton’s Registration/Bereavement Services have compiled this brochure to help and guide the bereaved through what

can be a very difficult time.

Please do not be disappointed If we are unable to accept items for reasons of safety or quality. Free collection on small electrical items is at the discretion of the Store Manager. Our van drivers will make the final discretion on any donations collected. * Calls cost 5p per minute from a BT landline. Charges from other providers and mobiles may vary.

Halton Register Office, Runcorn Town Hall, Heath Road, Runcorn, Cheshire, WA7 5TN Tel: 0303 333 4300

Bereavement Services: Cemetery Lodge, Birchfied Road,

Widnes, WA8 9EE Tel: 0151 471 7332

Published by: Brochures UK, 40 Rockburgh Crescent, Preston, PR4 5RD Tel: 01772 498366

The distributor does not endorse or support any of the products or services advertised in this publication and is in no way liable

or responsible for any such products or services.