When Someone Dies

What to do when someone dies
What to do with medication and equipment no longer used
Emotional Aspects - Bereavement and Grief
Support for your Emotions

What to do when someone dies

If you are caring for someone close to you who is in the final stages of life, you might want to read some practical information on caring at the end of life. Read about a Carer's experience, about practical ways to prepare for a friend or relative leaving hospital with a terminal illness, and about what needs to be done when death is near.
www.channel4.com/health/microsites/H/health/magazine/family/terminalcare.html

There are some important things to do when someone dies. We hope the following sites will provide some useful information for you.

Local Government Advice
Tameside Council have a series of Life Events pages which offer some useful help and advice on the arrangements you need to make following a death. You will also find information on how to deal with the assets of the deceased person. Please also see the Central Government Benefits Agency website
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice Bureau Website also has information and advice on what to do after a death. For instance, information on bereavement benefits, organ donation, counselling and support.
Returning Equipment/Medication
For help and advice about what to do with medication and equipment no longer used.

What to do with medication and equipment no longer used

After a death, you may come across some personal possessions of the deceased that you're not sure what to do with. These might be pills, syringes, ampoules, walking frames, bath seats or wheelchairs. Here is some practical advice on what you should do:

Medication

The waste bin and toilet are unsuitable places to dispose of medication, as they can be harmful to the environment. If you find any medication belonging to the deceased then you should return this to your local pharmacist or hand them over to your GP.

photograph of a syringe needle
Syringes/needles

When a person is issued with a syringe for the purpose of injecting medicine into themselves at home, they will normally be supplied with a 'sharp' bin. This bin is a 'safe' container for storing the syringe when it is no longer needed. At the end of the syringe's use, the item should be placed carefully into the bin and taken to your pharmacist or GP who will tend to its disposal.

If the bin cannot be found, you could always have the syringe collected. Syringes can be collected and disposed of safely by representatives of Tameside Council

Alternatively, you can complete and send an on-line form with address details.

Equipment

'Aids to daily living' such as bath seats, commodes, trolleys etc can be returned to the Joint Loan Store. There is a collection service available for you:

Postal Address Ross Care, Unit 3, Tameside Court, Dukinfield Telephone Number 0161 344 0482

Crutches, walking sticks or walking frames should be returned in person to where they came from. This will usually be the physiotherapy department at the local hospital. Tameside General Hospital's address is:

Postal Address Tameside General Hospital, Fountain St, Ashton-under-Lyne Telephone Number 0161 331 6313 (physiotherapy unit)

Emotional Aspects - Bereavement and Grief

It is considered there are five stages in the grieving process, namely Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. On the link below you'll find information on bereavement and grief from BUPA .

If you are currently in grief or know of someone that is, the contacts given in Support for your Emotions below may be of use.

Support for your Emotions

Coping with the death of a loved one can be a very difficult time for some people. There are organisations that can offer support to anyone that has been affected emotionally by bereavement. Your GP or religious leader may also be able to help with your grief.

Acumen Bereavement Counselling
This website is to do with one-to-one counselling by email. You can view some of the client reactions to this service on the above link.

Age Concern (age 55+)
Age Concern has bereavement support volunteers to help those in need. You can access support by contacting:

Postal Address Age Concern, 131 Katherine Street, Ashton-under-Lyne
Telephone Number 0161 308 5000 Email Address info@ageconcerntameside.com

Compassionate Friends UK
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is an organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children.

They also offer support, advice and information to other relatives, friends and professionals who are helping the family. Contact details are:

Postal Address The Compassionate Friends UK, 53 North Street, Bristol, BS3 1EN
Telephone Number National tel: 0845 120 3785 Helpline: 0845 123 2304 Email Address info@tcf.org.uk

The helpline will be answered by a bereaved parent, who is there to listen to you when you need someone to talk to. From here you can be put in touch with your nearest local contact for information about the services offered.

Cruse
Cruse Bereavement Care is a charitable organisation that offers information and advice to anyone who has been affected by a death. It also provides support and counselling, education and publications to anyone supporting bereaved people.

Telephone Number 0844 477 9400 Email Address helpline@cruse.org.uk

Young People between the age of 12 and 18 should call freephone Telephone Number 0808 808 1677 info@rd4u.org.uk

Mind
Tameside and Glossop Mind centre offer bereavement counselling support for all. They also have a useful factsheet on 'Understanding Bereavement' . Contact details for your local Mind centre are:

Postal Address The Mind Centre, 216-218 Katherine Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, OL6 7AS
Telephone Number 0161 330 9223 Email Address tgmind@tgmind.co.uk.

Samaritans
Do you need someone to talk to at any time of the day or night? The Samaritans can help. A 24-hour phone line is available for your support.

Telephone Number 08457 90 90 90 Email Address jo@samaritans.org.

Winston's Wish
Winston's Wish is a charity that supports bereaved children and young people. They also offer guidance and information to their families and to anyone concerned about a child after a death. The website explains more about how the service can help after the death of someone close and offers resources, activities and ideas to try.

Postal Address Winston's Wish Head Office the Clara Burgess Centre Westmoreland House, 80-86, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL53 7JT

Telephone Number General enquiries Tel: 01242 515157 Helpline: 0845 20 30 40 5 Email Address info@winstonswish.org.uk