Bòrd SSN Nan Eilean Siar Western Isles NHS Board

Grieving in exceptional times

During these weeks of isolation, sadly some families will experience the death of a loved one; it may be due to coronavirus (COVID-19) or it may be completely unrelated.

In these difficult times, everyone is working together to help each other. We at NHS Western Isles send our heartfelt condolences to you as you enter this different journey.

We have prepared some information we hope will help and inform you at this very difficult time.

Care of the deceased There may be coronavirus (SARS-CoV2) on the body, which presents a small but real risk of transmission.

Viewing, hygienic preparations, post-mortem and embalming are all permitted by professionals experienced in handling bodies of deceased persons.

Cremation is permitted where the deceased does not have a medical device that requires removal. If the removal of a medical device is required this will need to be agreed with the relevant professional.

Since there is a small but real risk of transmission from the body of the deceased, we strongly advise that mourners should not take part in any rituals or practices that bring them into close contact with the body of an individual who has died from, or with symptoms of, coronavirus (COVID-19) for the duration of the pandemic. This includes washing, preparing or dressing the body.

It is recognised that household members may have come into contact with the virus over the course of the illness in the deceased person. However, even in these cases, we advise against further contact with the body.

Further information can be accessed at: https://bit.ly/39XwB1i

For the duration of the pandemic, there will be no viewings of the deceased carried out within NHS Western Isles premises.

Registering a death or stillborn National Records of Updates: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information Information Regarding Registration Services Due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, most registration offices in Scotland are closed to members of the public. Please be aware that during the period of the pandemic, registration offices may be operating with reduced registration staff. We ask for your patience when trying to make contact with an office. For public health reasons, registration staff will be prioritising the registration of deaths and still-births

Registration of Deaths and Still-births NRS understands that this is a very distressing and difficult time for bereaved families.e W have been working closely with the Scottish Government and local authorities to introduce a system which will allow registrars to take ‘remote’ registration of deaths, by telephone or electronic means. This system is now live and further information is available at www.nrscotland.gov.uk/ registration/registration-services page or contact your local registration office direct, to arrange an appointment.

Ordering a Certificate Following the announcement by the UK Government introducing strict new measures to tackle COVID-19/ Coronavirus (23 March 2020), Registrars are unable to process certificate orders as they do not have access to secure certificate paper or official seals.

National Records of Scotland understand that there may be very urgent cases where official confirmation of an event taking place is required. If this is the case, please use the contact form www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/contact-us on ScotlandsPeople selecting ‘Certificates and Copies’ and one of their team will respond directly.

Planning a funeral during the COVID-19 pandemic If you’re caring for someone who is very sick and are worried they may die, or someone you love has just died, you may have some concerns about what might happen at a funeral during this COVID-19 response period.

Funerals are how we celebrate and commemorate those who have died. As you navigate this new reality please remember death ends a life, not a relationship and your connection with the person who has died will remain.

However, we can support ourselves and each other in different ways.

Planning a funeral during this current physical distancing phase We appreciate that physical distancing requirements make this bereavement and funeral even more difficult but there are immediate steps you can take to plan the funeral of someone you love or care about.

• Do contact your preferred funeral director as soon as you are able. Your funeral director will be equipped with the most up-to-date information and procedures during the COVID-19 response period. They will guide you through the process, and ensure you are cared for and minded • Ask as many questions as you need to • Do let people know of the death – you can still place a death notice, but no times or venues of the funeral will be published online, by radio or in print • Do remember the funeral will be planned as private, for close family only. However, you can request a reading or poem to remember them by, even if the service is short • Do remember that everybody will understand how difficult a funeral is at this exceptional time – people will respect and support you as best they can. Changes to Western Isles Funeral Traditions • Funeral Directors have provided guidance that there will be no funeral procession or lift, coffins will not be placed within the church/home. • Instead, they shall meet the mourners at the cemetery for the interment. • Any members of the immediate family who are showing any symptoms of Coronavirus should not attend the funeral.

For those people who wish to have a cremation please contact the funeral directors for more information.

As it is not possible during this time to have public reposes or wakes, there are ways you can keep the funeral personal and beautiful, and to involve others in remembering your loved one.

• Do make use of online condolence book to record messages of love and appreciation • Do think about hosting a memorial service at a later time, and plan that, in time, when you feel able • Do ask people to send you a letter with their memories of the person who has died • Do encourage children draw pictures or write poems • Do talk about the person who has died, within your household and beyond through telephone calls • Do seek to keep in contact and try to be open to others contacting you – we can still be together when we are not together • Do seek out the latest technology to help. You can use videoconferencing (Google hangouts, WhatsApp, Zoom etc) to come together with special people who cannot physically be with you.

Local contacts

Bereavement Coordinator Western Isles Hospital MacAulay Road HS1 2AF Tel: 01851 704704 extn 2408

Local Registrars

The Registrars Office Harris Assistant Registrar The Town Hall The Council Offices Tarbert Stornoway Isle of Harris HS3 3DJ HS1 2AB Tel: 01851 822620 Tel : 01859 502367

Uist and Registrar Registrar Council Offices Council Offices Balivanich Castlebay Isle of Benbecula Isle of Barra HS7 5LE HS9 5XD Tel: 01870 602425 Tel: 01871 810431 Local Undertakers

Lewis and Harris Alasdair Morrison Archibald Macrae Tark Hill 61 Keith Street Cladach Baleshare Stornoway Isle of North Isle of Lewis HS6 5EN HS1 2JG Tel: 01876 580346 Tel: 01851 702033 Mobile: 07776 431482

MacPhee Brothers Donald MacIntyre 176 Lionacleit 287 Kilphedar Isle of Benbecula Isle of HS7 5PJ HS7 5TE Tel: 01870 602538 Tel: 01876 700306 Mobile: 07859 818647 Mobile: 07760 350519 Email: [email protected]

Charlie MacDougall 26 Glen Castlebay Isle of Barra HS9 5XD Tel: 01871 810666

Support organisations

The COVID 19 crisis impacts all of us, bereaved people may have to deal with increased trauma, and may be cut off from some of their usual support network. Those who are already struggling with bereavement, or whose relatives or friends die through other causes will also be affected.

Speak to a support organisation for emotional help and practical advice, providing the right support at the right time.

Local Support

Community Chaplaincy Listening Service (CCL) TK Shadakshari Western Isles Hospital Western Isles Hospital MacAulay Road Stornoway HS1 2AF Tel: 01851 704704 extn 2476 Email: [email protected]

Spiritual and Pastoral Care We offer compassionate, person-centred care and this service is available to the whole community – people of all backgrounds, faiths and belief groups and none. The Spiritual Care Team here to support patients, relatives, visitors and staff in the context of illness, injury or loss we can: • Spend time to talk and listen to you in a friendly environment • Offer you or your loved ones emotional, spiritual or religious support • Help you deal with loss and bereavement • Facilitate your religious care and contact leaders from your own belief group on your behalf when required

Helen Gallacher Rev Gordon MacLeod Ishabel Macdonald (covers Barra) Chaplain Bank Chaplain Uist and Barra Hospital Western Isles Hospital Western Isles Hospital Balivanich MacAulay Road MacAulay Road Isle of Benbecula Stornoway Stornoway HS7 5LA HS1 2AF HS1 2AF Tel: 01851 704704 extn 2408 Tel: 01851 704704 extn 2408 Tel: 01870 603600 / 01876 580367 Mobile: 07950 949661 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

National Support

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland Phone: 0845 600 2227 Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 8pm Thursday 10am to 9pm Friday 10am to 4pm Email: [email protected] Cruse offer one-to-one counselling across Scotland. They give support through their helpline for anyone who has been bereaved. https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus-dealing-bereavement-and-grief

Samaritans Phone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, every day) Email: [email protected] Gives confidential emotional support for people experiencing distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

Breathing Space Phone: 0800 83 85 87 Monday to Thursday, 6pm to 2am Friday to Monday, 6pm to 6am Free and confidential service for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.

Muslim Bereavement Support Service PO Box 2241 Ilford IG19UX Tel: 020 3468 7333 Email: [email protected]

The COVID-19 crisis impacts all of us. We are all going to be challenged but one of the best things we can do is follow the official guidance and play our part to stop the spread. Sometimes we will be angry, sad and confused by all that is going on. Children will have these feeling as well; they may worry they have not been as good at following the measures to stop the spread. These anxieties will be worse if someone close to them dies; as adults our job is to reassure them that no one is to blame.

For resources to help support children during the corona virus outbreak, view Child Bereavement UK guidance film and Information Sheet by following the attached link: www.childbereavementuk. org/coronavirus-supporting-children

Bereavement benefits and help with money

Income and financial circumstances may change after the death of a husband, wife, partner or child.

Financial support may be available to help deal with the loss of someone close to you. To find out more follow the link at: www.mygov.scot/bereavement-benefits/

Acknowledgements A number of resources were considered during the drafting of this Information Leaflet and we acknowledge their assistance in this process.

We would like to thank all those involved in the development of the resource for their continued support and we acknowledge their assistance in this process.

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Version: 1.1 Date produced: April 2020 Produced by: Governance Team, NHS Western Isles.

Disclaimer The content of this factsheet is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you to interpret any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs. © NHS Western Isles, 2020. All rights reserved.