Information on Funeral Options
You are probably reading this because someone close to you has
died recently. Whoever has died, your loss is unique to you and you
will cope with it in your own way – bereavement is a highly
personal and often traumatic event.
The aim of this information is to guide you through some of the
basic practicalities that you need to consider and provide points
of contact for other organisations which may be helpful.
Things to be done when someone dies
If someone dies at home, you must call your doctor who will sign
a medical certificate confirming the cause of death (unless the
matter is referred to the Coroner). If the death happened in
hospital, the doctor there will issue the certificate.
You must take the certificate to the Registrar of Births,
Marriages and Deaths within the area where death occurred within 5
days (this is a legal requirement). An appointment will be
required. If available, take the medical certificate and the
medical card. They will also need to know if they were receiving a
pension or other benefit.
The Registrar will give you a certificate of registration of
death (white form) and a certificate for burial or cremation (green
form), which should be given to the funeral director.
You may need several copies of the death certificate to send to
banks, building societies and insurance companies: there is a fee
payable for copies.
The Funeral
The funeral is a time for saying goodbye to the person who has
died and for celebrating their life. It gives family and friends
the chance to support and comfort each other.
Before you begin to arrange the funeral, it is worth thinking
about a few points:
- Did the person who has died have firm views about what they
wanted their funeral to be like. (Did they leave
instructions?)
- What sort of funeral do you and other family and friends want?
Do you want a quiet family gathering, or an elaborate ceremony?
Will there be a religious service?
You do not have to go to a funeral director to organise the
funeral. If you want to make your own arrangements, you can get
advice from the Council. However, most people do use a funeral
director who can make all the arrangements, whether burial,
cremation, a religious or non-religious service.
Cremation or Burial
Many people have strong views on whether they wish to be
cremated or buried. Below are the options available locally.
Cremation
There are no crematoria within Havant Borough. However, there
are two close by:
Portchester Upper Cornaway Lane Tel : 01329 822533
Chichester Westhampnett Road Tel : 01243 782098.
Types of Burial
There are different types of burial:
- Lawned burial (where the grave is covered in grass only)
- Traditional burial (where planting may be allowed), or
- Green (woodland) burial – a more environmentally friendly form
of burial where no memorials are permitted.
Burial sites within Havant Borough
There are 3 cemeteries owned by Havant Borough Council:
- Havant (see a map to locate Havant Cemetery >>)
- Warblington (see a map to locate Warblington Cemetery
>>)
- Waterlooville (see a map to locate Warblington Cemetery
>>)
Churchyards
There are a number of churchyards open to new burials throughout
the borough. Please contact the relevant church for details.
Cemeteries Service, 2 Penner Road, Havant, Hampshire,PO9
1QH.
Telephone 023 9244 6425
E-mail: cemeteries@havant.gov.uk