Adult Bereavement Support

The Bereavement Team provides practical and emotional support to families at a time of great sadness and distress, and offers a sensitive and sympathetic service covering all aspects of bereavement care.

The Bereavement Advisors will arrange for documentation such as the medical certificate of cause of death and cremation papers to be completed and will liaise with the Coroner’s staff, Police, Social Workers, Registrar and Funeral Directors to ensure a seamless process. The team can advise on funeral arrangements and the explain procedures following a death.

Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and St Mary’s Hospital Bereavement and Family Support

The Bereavement and Family Support Specialists offer emotional support to families at end of life care for children and babies and work closely with the Family Liaison Nurses and Bereavement Midwives.   All the team have a wealth of knowledge and experience in supporting bereaved families, including children. The Family Support Team provides a specialist bereavement counselling service for both adults and children. Assistance with important practical issues such as making the funeral arrangements, Coroner’s and Registrar’s processes, support provided within the community and financial advice regarding the funeral are all available. The Family Support Team, in conjunction with the Hospital Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Team, organise annual services in remembrance for children and babies who have died within the hospitals.

Adult and Children Bereavement Support at Wythenshawe Hospital

The Bereavement Team extend their sincere sympathies to all who have been bereaved. The aim of the Bereavement Team is to provide support and helpful information about what happens after a death.

Bereavement is a very distressing experience. Grieving is normal and natural and affects people differently, it is a very individual journey. As well as dealing with their grief, bereaved relatives and friends are also faced with many things that need to be done.

The Bereavement Team are able to provide advice and assistance. They provide information and support regarding visiting the deceased, if desired, whilst they are being cared for at the hospital. They will also provide advice and information about the administrative responsibilities regarding registering a death and making funeral arrangements.

There are some occasions when a death has to be reported to the Coroner by law. The next of kin will be advised by the Bereavement Team if this has to happen and the Coroner’s referral process will be explained.

The Bereavement Team also provide information on emotional and physical aspects of grief and useful organisations that can be contacted.

The Bereavement Team can also provide Memory boxes and details of a drop –in Bereavement advice and guidance session for families that is available at the hospital once a month.

The Bereavement Team, in conjunction with the Chaplaincy Team and the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre, help arrange 4 times a year

• Bereavement Support Afternoons – an opportunity for gentle support and help with practical and emotional support, an opportunity to meet with others in a similar situation and professionals to listen and understand

And

• Memorial Services – a way of remembering your loved one in a hospital Chaplaincy Service