Burials - useful infomation
Here is a list of contacts that you may find useful in times of serious illness or bereavement:
Age Concern
Provides services for elderly people such as visiting schemes, advice and information www.ageconcernscotland.org.uk or telephone 0845 883 0200.
Bereavement Advice
For general advice on bereavement; www.bereavementadvice.org or call 0800 634 9494.
The Borders Independent Advocacy Service
Offices in Galashiels (01896 752200) or Kelso (01573 225777).
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Can help you find a counsellor/psychotherapist, www.bacp.co.uk or call 0870 443 52523.
The Charter for the Bereaved
A process to ensure that the service that the service provided by a bereavement service meets nationally recognised standards. Scottish Borders Council has achieved this standard. You can read more about it at www.iccm-uk.com
Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland
aims to improve the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart & stroke illness through medical research, advice, information and support in the community, www.chss.org.uk or call 0131 225 6963.
The National Association of Funeral Directors’ Code of Practice
The Code of Practice sets out the high standard of service that bereaved families may expect in their dealings with a member of the National Association of Funeral Directors, including key requirements in respect of the funeral director’s professional conduct. Go to www.nafd.org.uk
Compassionate Friends
Offers friendship and support to parents and families who have suffered the death of a son or daughter, whatever the age. Go to www.tcf.org.uk or call 0845 123 2304.
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
A national charity offering the bereaved counselling, advice and information on practical problems. Go to www.crusescotland.org.uk/ or call 01738 444178.
Deceased register
To stop unwelcome post address to your deceased loved one, there are a number of organisations that can help:
www.deceasedregister.co.uk or call 01732 460000
www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk or call 0800 068 4433
www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk or call 0870 600 7222.
Funerals – Non Religious ceremonies
The British Humanist Association has a team of officiants competent in arranging and conducting services of a sensitive but non-religious nature. www.humanism.org.uk
Funerals - Different religions
Most cemeteries are owned by local authorities or private companies and are non-denominational. Some religious groups also have dedicated cemeteries.
Guiding Principles for Burials and Cremation
Produced by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management; Go to www.iccm-uk.com
Help The Aged
An international charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect; Go to www.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 278 1114.
The Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management
A useful source of information; Go to www.iccm-uk.com or call 0208 989 4661.
The Lasting Post
A very useful website giving advice on planning ahead for your own funeral, help for families/friends when a death occurs, information on announcements, and the ‘everlasting post’ – a way to celebrate and remember people who have died. www.lastingpost.com
Living Will
This is concept recognised by the British Medical Association that specifies how much medical intervention one would want in particular circumstances if terminally ill. A form needs to be completed, which can be downloaded from www.iccm-uk.com
The National Association of Funeral Directors
Gives funeral advice and lets you search for funeral directors; Go to www.nafd.org.uk or call 0845 230 1343.
The Natural Death Centre
Independent funeral advice, but especially helpful for advice and support regarding environmentally-friendly burials and natural burial grounds; Go to www.naturaldeath.org.uk or call 0871 288 2098.
SiMBA - The Simpsons Memory Box Appeal
Responding to the needs of those affected by the loss of a baby during pregnancy or close to the time of birth in the Lothians and Borders. For more information go to nhslothian to see the SiMBA web pages..
The photo shows the SiMBA Tree of Tranquility, commemorating young lives with individual leaves, each representing a baby. For more information, or to request a leaf, contact SiMBA.
Unified Solutions.