Bereavement support
It can be overwhelming when someone close dies. You may find it difficult to cope and not know how to find the support you need.
What to do when someone dies
GOV.UK provides a guide on what you should do when someone dies.
This includes:
- registering the death
- arranging the funeral
- telling the government about the death (Tell Us Once service)
- checking if you can get bereavement benefits
- dealing with the estate
Arranging a funeral
You can contact your local funeral director to help you arrange the funeral. A funeral director will guide and support you through each step of the process.
If you decide to use a funeral director, choose one who is a member of either:
- The National Association of Funeral Directors
- The National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF)
If there are no known relatives or friends able to make the funeral arrangements, we may be able to support. See funerals arranged by the council.
Cemeteries and Crematoriums in Redbridge
Redbridge has five cemeteries, one crematorium and four closed churchyards. The churchyards no longer have space for new burials.
The available sites are:
- Forest Park Cemetery and Crematorium in Hainault
- Roding Lane North Cemetery in Woodford
- Barkingside Garden of Rest in Longwood Gardens, Barkingside
- Barkingside Cemetery in Longwood Gardens, Barkingside
- Buckingham Road Cemetery in Ilford
Making Arrangements
The process for arranging a burial has been designed to be clear and accessible. Funeral directors or family members can contact Westerleigh directly to make the necessary arrangements:
Westerleigh Forest Park Cemetery
Forest Road, Hainault, IG6 3HP
Phone: 020 8501 2236
Email: forestpark@westerleighgroup.co.uk
A full list of cemetery fees is available on the Westerleigh website under Cremation and Burial Fees
Dedicated Muslim Burial Area at Forest Park Cemetery
Redbridge Council has introduced a dedicated Muslim burial area at Forest Park Cemetery, offering facilities designed to meet Islamic faith requirements and increase local burial capacity. Developed in collaboration with community representatives, this provision includes:
- Qibla‑aligned graves (the direction of Mecca)
- The option to arrange burials within 24–48 hours, subject to required documentation
- A designated section reserved exclusively for Muslim burials, ensuring privacy, dignity, and respect for religious practices
Get help with funeral costs
You may be able to get help with the cost of a funeral or if you need to access bereavement benefits.
- Government Funeral Expenses Payment if you receive certain benefits or tax credits. You should tell the funeral director before committing to any arrangements
- Advice from the Money Advice Service. This lists alternative options for paying for a funeral
- Government Bereavement Support Payment if your partner has died
- Government Guardian’s Allowance if you're bringing up a child whose parents have died. If you’re a lone surviving parent, you may also be able to get this allowance
- Quaker Social Action supports people struggling with funeral costs
- Child Funeral Charity help families who need to arrange a funeral for a baby or child
- Turn2Us provides a range of financial support including that related to bereavement
Organisations that can help
- NHS website has information on physical and emotional symptoms of grief
- Samaritans offer support to anyone experiencing stress, despair or is in crisis. You can call them free on 116123
- Cruse Bereavement Care have several wellbeing support resources. You can also call them on 0808 808 1677, Monday to Friday
- Redbridge Talking Therapies provide treatment and services to those feeling distressed. You can call them on 0300 300 1554, Monday to Friday
- St Francis Hospice can guide and support you through counselling, support groups and resources
Older people
- The Silver Line is a free helpline for information, friendship and advice to older people. You can call them on 0800 470 80 90, every day of the year
- Age UK provide advice for how to cope with the death of a loved one and the emotions you may experience
Cancer
- Marie Curie Telephone Bereavement Support can help anyone affected by a terminal illness. You can call them on 0800 090 2309 seven days a week
- Macmillan Cancer Support charity offers support and information to those who have lost someone to cancer
- The Loss Foundation is a charity providing support following the death of a loved one to cancer. They provide support events to help people connect in loss
Children and young adults
- Child Bereavement UK supports families and professionals when a child dies or when a child grieves. You can call them on 0800 02 888 40, Monday to Friday
- Hope Again offers support for young people who have lost someone. You can call them on 0808 808 1677, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
- The Compassionate Friends gives support to bereaved parents, adult siblings and grandparents. You can call them on 0345 123 2304, everyday
Suicide
- MIND bereavement by suicide provides support to people bereaved or affected by suicide
- The Support After Suicide Partnership offers support to people who have lost a loved one to suicide
Heart conditions
- British Heart Foundation supports anyone who has lost someone through a heart condition. They also offer specialist resources for children
- Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) supports families after the tragedy of a young sudden cardiac death
Alzheimer’s
- Alzheimer’s Society supports people with grief, loss and bereavement when the person has dementia
