When someone dies, practical arrangements can arrive at the same time as grief. You may be trying to register the death, tell organisations what has happened, understand funeral costs and support children or other relatives, while also dealing with your own emotions.
This guide brings together trusted sources of bereavement help and practical support for families in Kent. You do not need to use every service listed here. The aim is simply to help you find the right support when you need it.
Bereavement support in Kent
Kent County Council has a dedicated bereavement and grief support page and links families to national and local organisations including the NHS, Cruse Bereavement Support, Child Bereavement UK, Mind, Amparo and The Loss Foundation.
Kent County Council bereavement and grief support →
Cruse Bereavement Support
Cruse provides bereavement information, a national helpline, one-to-one support and local services. Its national helpline is 0808 808 1677.
Cruse currently lists South Kent, East Kent with Swale and Maidstone and Medway among its South East local services, with a local contact number of 0300 011 3300. Availability can change, so it is best to check the Cruse website for the latest local service information.
NHS support for grief, bereavement and loss
The NHS explains that grief affects people in different ways and that there is no single right or wrong way to feel. Common experiences can include shock, numbness, sadness, difficulty concentrating and changes in sleep or appetite.
If grief is affecting your ability to cope, the NHS advises speaking to your GP. Adults can also self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies in many areas without first seeing a GP.
NHS guidance on grief and bereavement →
If you need urgent mental health help
Bereavement can sometimes feel overwhelming. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.
If you need urgent mental health support but it is not a life-threatening emergency, use the NHS urgent mental health guidance or contact an appropriate crisis service. Samaritans can also be contacted on 116 123.
Find urgent NHS mental health help →
Registering a death in Kent
Kent County Council states that deaths should normally be registered within 5 days, starting from when the necessary paperwork is received from the medical examiner, unless a coroner is investigating the death.
If you are unsure what happens before registration, our guide to what to do when someone dies explains the medical examiner, coroner and registration process in plain English.
Tell Us Once
After a death has been registered, the government’s Tell Us Once service can notify a number of government departments and public bodies on your behalf. You will still need to contact some organisations separately, such as banks, mortgage providers, insurers, utility companies and private pension providers.
Use or learn about Tell Us Once →
Help with funeral costs
If you receive certain benefits and are responsible for arranging a funeral, you may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment. GOV.UK explains that this can help with some funeral costs, but it will not usually cover the whole cost.
You can apply within 6 months of the funeral, and in some circumstances you can apply before the funeral if you already have an invoice or signed contract rather than an estimate.
Check Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility →
If you are comparing funeral options, our direct cremation prices are published clearly so you can see what BM includes before deciding.
Bereavement Support Payment
If your husband, wife, civil partner or qualifying cohabiting partner has died, you may be entitled to Bereavement Support Payment. Eligibility depends on your circumstances and the contribution record of the person who died.
Check Bereavement Support Payment →
Support for children and young people
Children and young people can experience grief very differently from adults. GOV.UK points families towards the Childhood Bereavement Network and NHS guidance, while Kent County Council also links to the Kent Resilience Hub and Child Bereavement UK.
It can help to use clear, age-appropriate language and to allow children to ask the same questions more than once. If you are worried about a child or young person’s wellbeing, speak to their GP, school or another professional involved in their care.
Support after suicide or a traumatic death
A death by suicide, accident or other traumatic circumstances can bring additional shock and practical difficulties. Kent County Council currently signposts to Amparo for suicide bereavement support.
Where a death is sudden or unexpected, there may also be coroner or police involvement. Our practical guide after a death explains why this can happen and what families may be told next.
Support after a cancer death
Kent County Council also links to The Loss Foundation, which provides bereavement support for people who have lost someone to cancer.
If someone you love is currently receiving palliative or end-of-life care, you may also find our guides on palliative care vs end of life care and what to expect when someone is dying helpful.
Practical help can be part of bereavement support too
Bereavement support is not only counselling. Sometimes the most useful help is understanding what needs to happen next, knowing who to call, getting paperwork underway and having clear information about funeral arrangements.
If you are considering a simple cremation, you can read about direct cremation in Kent or learn more about how BM cares for your loved one.
You can ask for help at any stage
There is no set point at which someone is supposed to be “coping”. Some people want support immediately. Others find that grief becomes harder weeks or months later, once the practical arrangements have finished.
If you need emotional support, use the NHS, Cruse or another specialist service. If you need help understanding the practical funeral arrangements, you can call BM Funeral Service on 01233 273999.
Trusted sources used for this guide
This guide has been prepared using current information from Kent County Council, the NHS, GOV.UK and Cruse Bereavement Support. External services and contact details can change, so always check the linked organisation for the most up-to-date information.