Help is at Hand

A booklet to help mourners if someone has taken their own life
http://www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/@dh/@en/@ps/documents/digitalasset/dh_116064.pdf

Coroners Reform Update

Changes to plans for national leadership from a Chief Coroner

http://

www.justice.gov.uk/consultations/docs/coroner-reform-response-wms.pdf

Hand luggage security update

Passengers intending to carry cremated remains on flights please check with the airline in advance to be sure that they will allow the urn in the passenger cabin.   Carry the death certificate, cremation certificate, & contents declaration to prove the integrity of the package to customs and security officials.  Observe additional country specific consular documentation and sealing requirements (RBI Helpline has these details).   The urn will be security screened like all other hand luggage.  

Inquest into London bombings

Lady Justice Hallett is hearing the inquest into the London bombings.  Click on the link for more information about the inquest  http://7julyinquests.independent.gov.uk/

Medical repatriation

International Medical Emergencies

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8481 7777

e-mail operations@healix.com

Victim Support

Victim Support  has a new logo.  Visit their website and follow the prompts  for information http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority

http://www.cica.gov.uk/
A government organisation that can pay compensation to people who have been physically or mentally injured because they were the blameless victim of a violent crime.

Gatwick Travelcare

Travel-Care is an independent agency offering assistance to anyone at London Gatwick Airport who may have a problem or need help. Travel-Care can be found in The Village, South Terminal from  09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday and 09:00 - 16:00 Saturday and Sunday.

Telephone: +44 (0)1293 504283

Interpol

http://www.interpol.int/

Click on the link to visit the website

Plass data

International DVI system developped in Denmark


http://www.plass.dk/

BMS CAT

Global disaster and damage restoration. 

http://www.bmscat.com/

Air Accident Investigation

The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is part of the Department for Transport and is responsible for the investigation of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK.   Visit their website at
http://www.aaib.dft.gov.uk/

Inquests nationwide

Click on the link to visit these websites

















http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/coroners.htm Ministry of Justice website
http://www.coronersociety.org.uk/ Coroners in England and Wales
http://www.coronersni.gov.uk/  Coroners Service for Northern Ireland
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/death/sudden-or-unexplained-death/coroners about the Coroner in the Republic of Ireland
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/04/12094440/4/ about the Procurator Fiscal in Scotland

Infections

Click on the link to visit a guide from  the Health and Safety Executive - go to pages 20 and 21 for charts of key infections and recommendations about embalming   http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web01.pdf

Aquamation

Aquamation is described as an eco friendly alternative to burial and cremation.  It's offered at reportedly the world's first water cremation centre on the Gold Coast, Australia.    Click on the link to read more    http://www.ibtimes.com/contents/20100812/aquamation-alkaline-hydrolysis-cremation.htm 

What are disbursements?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Disbursements are payments made by a funeral director on behalf of the family for example:

the cemetery or crematorium charges; the Doctors' fees for cremation papers; the Minister's fee for conducting the funeral service; flowers; funeral announcements in the newspaper.  These would all be listed as disbursements on the funeral director's account.

Cremation rules

 48 hours must elapse between the date when a cremation application is made to the crematorium and the date on which the cremation takes place.  This is a legal requirement so the cause of death can be scrutinised.   If the Coroner is involved, he issues the cremation papers free of charge.  Otherwise, two doctors sign the papers.  They both charge a fee.

Multi lingual helpline 020 8684 2324

Find the co ordinator who can help you:

Arabic -  Karim  

French -  Nathalie and Karim

German - Judith

Italian -    Fulvia

Polish -    Marta

Portuguese  - Helena

Russian - Victoria

Spanish - Helena

Deaths at sea

The Registry of Shipping and Seamen in Cardiff is part of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency .  They provide certified extracts of death for any person who has died on a UK registered vessel.    For more informaton click on the link to visit their website http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/workingatsea/mcga-rss.htm

Support for bereaved parents

SANDS is the Still Birth and Neonatal Death Society.  

National Helpline  020 7436 5881 Web http://www.uk-sands.org/

Local groups throughout the UK, information service and publications

Missing persons

Multi lingual information to help families report a missing person
http://www.met.police.uk/missingpersons

Patient Advice and Liaison Service

Hospitals have a PALS office to provide confidential advice and support to patients, families and carers. Local PALS offices can be located by calling NHS Direct on 0845 46 47, or ask for directions at the hospital.

South London Business Awards

From a range of 400 businesses, The South London Business Awards shortlisted Rowland Brothers International as finalists in three categories – Best Medium Sized Business, Best Business for Innovation, and Best Business for International Trade. At a Gala Dinner on May 19th, we were honoured and delighted to Win and receive the award for Best Medium Sized Business, and thrilled to be the Winners for South London Business of the Year. For more information about the awards please visit http://www.slbawards.co.uk/

Victim Support

Victim Support is an independent national charity for people affected by all crime. The London Homicide Team is the first phase of the new National Victims Service and is designed to support the relatives and friends of those bereaved by murder and manslaughter. The Team offers emotional support, practical help and information to those affected by these crimes. Victim Support’s new branding will be launched at the end of May.


For more news about the National Victims Service, visit http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/News/2010/01/Victim%20Support%20to%20deliver%20new%20National%20Victims%20Service

Charity Number:                                         Company Number:

EXHUMATIONS

Some families who move to another location, or to another country , decide that they would like their loved ones to be re interred near their new home. Anyone who wishes to exhume buried remains must apply to the Ministry of Justice for a license. Consent from all the next of kin is required, and if the deceased is buried in consecrated ground, the Church of England is also asked for their consent. This permission is called a Faculty. For more information please contact us on Tel: 020 8684 2324

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman

Ministry of Justice

The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman investigates all deaths that occur among prisoners, immigration detainees , and the residents of probation hostels. Visit their website to find out more about what they do http://www.ppo.gov.uk/. There is also a short film on YouTube which explains their role: http://www.youtube.com/user/PPOmbudsman#p/u/0/De1_dv6UE68

BEREAVED FAMILIES

Bereaved families sometimes ask for information about settling estate matters. We cannot give legal advice but click on the link for information from the Direct.gov.uk website which could be helpful. http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/Preparation/DG_10029468

The Coroners’ Courts Support Service

The Coroners’ Courts Support Service is a Registered Charity whose volunteers give emotional and practical support to families and other witnesses attending Inquests at Barnet, Croydon, Fulham, St Pancras, Southwark, Walthamstow and Westminster. The Service is now open in Amersham and Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, Chelmsford in Essex, Hatfield in Hertfordshire, Woking in Surrey and Windsor in Berkshire. http://www.coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk/

The 7/7 inquests

On February 22, BBC Radio News reported that the preliminary hearing of the inquest into the 52 people killed in the attacks on 7 July 2005 would go ahead this week. It has taken nearly five years to start the process because of court cases linked to the bombings. The inquest will cover the deaths of the four suicide bombers as well as those who died in the attack. Lady Justice Hallett has been appointed to conduct the inquest. Click on this link for more information about Lady Hallett’s appointment. http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/publications_media/media_releases/2009/3109.htm

Coroners Reform

Latest Link added....Coroners and Justice bill which is now an act of Parliament

Coroners & Justice Update : http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2008-09/coronersandjustice.html

Airline Security Alert

A local funeral director recently explained that an airline security official refused to allow a family to carry cremated remains on board the aircraft in a polycontainer. The airline regulations required the ashes to be properly packed in a secure, sealed container, accompanied by appropriate documentation.


Passengers must check with the airline in advance to confirm current security requirements. Do not assume that every airline will allow ashes to be carried as part of the passenger hand luggage, especially in the wake of recent airline security concerns.

To avoid damage or delay, transfer cremated remains to a simple sealed wooden urn, carry the original death, cremation and sealing certificates and consular documentation if necessary. Ashes travelling as manifested cargo should be placed in a zinc lined wooden urn, sealed and packed securely. Call the Helpline to see if consular documents are required for your destination. Families can call us for consular documentation advice Tel: 020 8684 2324