Charter for the Bereaved

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• Charter for the Bereaved

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames operates Bereavement Services and this leaflet describes the services we provide.
It is our intention to offer a high standard of care and options which enable each member of the community to arrange a funeral, which is meaningful to them and their family.
An important part of this service is to care for the environment, and use nature and wildlife to enhance the cemetery and crematorium grounds, which we maintain.
We are a community service and can offer you free help and advice.  

The Council has adopted the Charter for the Bereaved issued by the Institute of Burial and Cremation Administration.
The Charter is a commitment to improving the service by confronting rather than disguising the death experience. It defines the rights of every individual who experiences bereavement including the right to possession of a body and gives the bereaved greater influence over the arrangement of funerals.

The Charter guarantees 33 rights and these are integrated into the services outlined in this leaflet.
We see the Charter Rights as a minimum and are striving to provide a service, which can positively adapt to the needs of the community.

The majority of people know little about funerals and how to make arrangements to satisfy their belief, lifestyle or other needs.
This leaflet, and other guidance notes we can provide, outlines some options for your consideration in order to help you make informed decisions during the funeral arrangement process.
We recognise that these details are particularly useful to people who consider funerals before a death occurs.

Many people prefer to ignore death and indeed the death of someone close to us can be devastating.  This crisis in our lives can be made worse when no funeral instructions or Will is left. It is caring and sensible to alleviate the distress of your partner and family by preparing for death.
It will also ensure that you get the type of funeral service you want and will give you ownership of the funeral costs. Most funeral directors can provide a pre funeral arrangement scheme which can assist in reducing costs and if you wish an independent funeral or wish to use only limited services from a funeral director then we can advise you on how to arrange a funeral to meet your wishes.

We try to avoid discriminating against anyone because of race, religion, disability or belief. Please let us know if you have specific needs.
We have funerals without religion, informal funerals for those who do not like black to be worn, funerals with jazz/military bands and funerals where balloons are released.
If you do not want a ‘traditional’ funeral you must plan and set out your arrangements. We will be pleased to assist you or your chosen representative/funeral director with your specific requests.

The Council opposes unnecessary bureaucracy and is sympathetic to personal needs. Memorial regulations are kept to a minimum. Ceramic grave photographs nicknames and personal inscriptions are welcomed. Artistic memorial designs can be used and these can be carved in wood if preferred.

All burials and cremations are recorded and retained forever. This information is very useful for tracing your family tree.

The Kingston Bereavement Service provides counselling to anyone who lives, works or studies in the Borough of Kingston upon Thames.
If you feel you need some support at this time, please contact the Kingston Bereavement Service on 020 8547 1552, email info@kingstonbereavementservice.org.uk, or access their website for for more information about this well-established charity's work in Kingston (see related links below)

In the event of foetal loss, baby or infant death, the number of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, (SANDS) is 07817410075.

In the event that you are dissatisfied please complain ‘on the spot’ if you can. All staff wear photographic id. so that you can recognise to whom you are complaining.
If you are not satisfied please contact the Bereavement Services Manager as soon as possible.

We provide a series of guidance notes covering a range of  topics which are available free to you. Please ask a member of staff for any copies you need.
There is also a small library of bereavement books that for a small deposit you may borrow. Whenever possible we will also gladly complete an internet search for you on bereavement related topics.