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Benefits
When someone dies it can affect the benefits you are receiving. It might also mean that you are entitled to different benefits. Further information is available at Bereavement Benefits
Funeral Costs
If you or your partner are eligible for a low-income benefit and need help towards the cost of a funeral, you may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund.
Further information on eligibility and how to apply is available at Working Age Benefits
Our Welfare Advisor is able to help with making a claim.
Mandatory notifications following a death
There is quite a lot of paper work to complete when someone dies. The Department for Work & Pensions has produced a guide to what you must do and the help you can get. It is entitled What to do after a death (leaflet D49)
For more information please contact the welfare advisor on 01293 447345
Counselling support is available to any member of the family at any time after the person you knew has died. You may decide to contact us in the first month, or it may be some years later.
The counselling service offers bereavement support in a number of ways. We offer 12 individual counselling sessions that we advise are taken every week for 12 weeks.
Alternatively, a bereavement support visitor can see you either at the hospice or in your own home. These sessions are more flexible and can span a number of months.
There are support groups that meet once a month in the hospice and another that meets every Thursday afternoon.
Time to Remember
Time to Remember is a monthly event held to mark the passing of loved ones and honour their memory. Relatives and friends who are approaching the sixth month of their bereavement are invited to attend. The event consists of readings, reflections, music and the lighting of candles
Refreshments are provided after the event, giving people an opportunity to renew friendships and talk to members of staff from the counselling and spiritual care teams if they should so wish.
On average up to fifty people attend each month. Time to Remember is held at our Education and Training Centre.
For more information on Time to Remember please contact the spiritual care team on 01293 447343
Tree of Light
St Catherine’s Hospice holds a Tree of Light remembrance ceremony every year in early December. This is a very important community event which provides people with an opportunity to remember those dear to them even though they might not be together in person at Christmas.
The main Tree of Light rememberance ceremony is held at K2 in Crawley with other community events held at various locations in our catchment area.
Many people find sponsoring a light on our Tree of Light a positive way of remembering a loved one, knowing that their light is bringing comfort and pleasure to patients and their families. In recognition of your donation, you will receive a letter confirming that your light will be shinning on our tree. The name of the person in whose memory you are sponsoring a light will be entered in our Book of Remembrance which will be displayed at the service at K2 and afterwards at the hospice.
For more information on Tree of Light please contact Catherine Ely on 01293 447 364 or email catherineely@stch.org.uk