Going to a funeral
It is your choice if you go to a person’s funeral or choose not to go to a funeral.
If you choose to go to the person’s funeral, you can ask for support.
You can ask someone you know well to explain what will happen at a funeral before you go.
The Going to a funeral leaflet from MENCAP might help.
You might want someone to go with you to the funeral.
I would like these people to support me at the funeral.
You may want support for other ways of saying goodbye
Think about ways you would like to remember the person who has died.
Do any of their belongings give you special memories? Are you able to keep any of their belongings?
Do you have any photographs of the person?
Do you have any music that reminds you of the person?
Would you like to make your own way of remembering the person?
Do you have somewhere to visit that reminds you of the person?
There is no right or wrong way to remember the person who has died.
Useful resources
Beyond Words Books
Beyond Words Books tell stories of important and often difficult life themes, including death and bereavement, in pictures.
Dealing with a Bereavement
The Mencap website has some useful resources for families, carers and people with learning disabilities dealing with bereavement.
It also has an easy-read guide to using GriefChat, a free service where you can talk to a specially trained bereavement counsellor online.
Macmillan Cancer Information and Support
You can access easy read booklets using simple language and pictures from the Macmillan Cancer Support Website.
If you want to talk to someone about cancer and your feelings, you can also call Macmillan on 0808 8080000
Respond Helpline
Support people with learning disabilities, their carers, and professionals around any issue of trauma, including bereavement. Helpline: 0808 8080700
Cruse Bereavement Care
The national organisation for bereaved people.
Contact Cruse Bereavement Care, Cruse House, 126 Sheen Road, Surrey TW9 1UR.
Helpline: 0808 8081677
Our website
For information about our trust services, or general information on conditions and treatments and organisations offering support, please explore our website.
This information is one in a series of three:
- Leaflet 1: L562E Someone I know is going to die.
- Leaflet 2: L561E Someone I know has died.
- Leaflet 3: L560E Someone I know has died and they are going to have a funeral.
Feedback
Please let your care team know if you want to comment on whether:
- this information is useful
- any information is missing
- you do not understand the information
Do you have concerns or complaints?
If you have concerns or complaints about a service, you can:
- tell a member of staff
- call our complaints team – freephone 0800 052 0219
- email [email protected]
Information in other languages and formats
All our website and leaflet information can be made available in many formats. Please ask a member of staff if you would like this information in another language, large print, audio or braille.
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