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Help and support for families and carers

You are not alone

Caring for someone who is seriously ill with a terminal illness can be difficult and sometimes lonely and confusing

Emergency numbers for help and support

24/7 help line for symptom management:
Marie Curie rapid response 0330 123 1014

District Nursing:
For planned palliative care 0300 777 0002

Hospice at Home:
Support during the day 03000 271283 or 03000 271284

Night support:
Marie Curie night sits  0121 752 9305

Bereavement support and counselling:
For relatives, Lakelands Hospice 01536 747755 (Mon-Fri 9-5pm, excluding Bank Holidays)

Carers support

Northamptonshire Carers offers a confidential telephone support service for anyone with a care related question or problem:

01933 677907  lines are open Monday–Friday from 9 – 12 noon and 1 – 4 pm.

For out of hours telephone support call 01908 260444 or email carers@northamptonshire-carers.org or complete an online carers referral form by clicking the button below:

What to do when someone dies

If you are reading this, first of all, please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of the person you have been caring for.  No matter how long someone’s illness, or how long you have had to prepare, the death of someone close can still be extremely distressing.

Here is a guide with some practical advice and support prepared by Northampton Healthcare Foundation Trust.

Expected death

If your relative or friend’s death was expected, the nurse or doctor will initially verify the death before the person can be moved.  The Doctor who looked after him or her during their final illness will send the medical certificate that shows the cause of death to the registrar electronically.

Unexpected death

If your relative or friend’s death was sudden or unexpected, you should contact a doctor and the police.  You will probably also want to contact close family immediately.  If the cause of an unexpected death is quite clear, the doctor will send the medical certificate to the registrar electronically.  If the doctor wants to know more about the cause of death they may carry out a post-mortem (medical) examination.

In certain circumstances – for example, if the cause of death is unknown, or if it was due to an accident or injury – the doctor may report it to the Coroner.  The Coroner is a doctor of lawyer who looks into the cause of a death when more information is required before the death can be registered.  If the examination shows that the death was due to natural causes, the Coroner will release the body for burial or cremation.

Choosing a funeral director

The choice of a funeral director is something you should consider carefully, as it is important that you should feel comfortable and confident with them.

The funeral director may ask you questions regarding your relative’s or friend’s wishes, therefore it may be useful to give this consideration before you meet.  They may also be able to help with any questions you may have.

What to do when someone dies

Key information about the hospice

The difference made to patients and families in 2023

Because every moment matters…

191

Patients were cared for in the inpatient unit at Cransley Hospice

5605

Calls or visits made to patients and their families by our Hospice at Home team

1331

Treatments delivered to patients by the Lymphoedema Service

83

Memory boxes with teddies and blankets given to children to help them cope with the loss of a parent or grandparent

This is only possible with your support

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