NHS Choices has an end of life guide for people who are approaching the end of their life. This includes how and where you want to be cared for, financial issues, planning ahead and searching for local hospices. Some parts of it may also be useful for people who are caring for someone who is dying, or people who want to plan in advance for their end of life care.

You can also find information about your rights and choices, including refusing treatment, setting down your wishes for your future treatment, and how to give someone the legal right to make decisions for you if you are no longer capable.

This guide also contains information about talking to your family and carers about dying and about your wishes.

Our community directory contains details of many local and national organisations providing end of life support services. Click on 'Specific needs' and then 'End of life'.

Many of the home care and nursing agencies listed in our Home care directory also offer end of life (palliative) care.

Macmillan cancer support

Macmillan cancer support offers information and support to anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer, their families and carers. If you need to talk, call their free helpline 0808 808 00 00.

Macmillan in Hampshire offers practical, local and financial support locally. This includes Information and Support Centres at Southampton General Hospital and Queen Alexandra Hospital which provide complimentary treatments, advice and information and volunteers to lend a listening ear.

Marie Curie cancer care

Marie Curie Cancer Care is a charity dedicated to the care of people with terminal illness. Marie Curie provides high quality end of life care through its Marie Curie Nursing Service and Hospices.

If you are living with a terminal illness and need support, you can call the support line on 0800 090 2309.

If you would like a Marie Curie nurse to provide care to you at home, speak to your GP or District Nurse.

Registering a death

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is one of the most painful things most of us will face. There are, however certain people and organisations that need to be told and specific documents and practical arrangements that need to be completed.

You will need to register a person’s death at a register office in the district where the death occurred within five days, unless there are exceptional circumstances or the Coroner is involved.

Bereavement Advice Centre supports and advises people on what they need to do after a death.

The Bereavement Register is a free service to remove the name and address of someone who has passed from mailing lists to prevent junk mail.

Bereavement support

Everyone deals with bereavement differently and you may experience a whole range of emotions. Support is available to help you through this difficult time.

Advice on coping with bereavement from the NHS.

You may be eligible for funeral or bereavement payments.

Local and national bereavement services can be found in our Community directory. Click on 'Specific needs' and then 'Bereavement'.

Cruse Bereavement Care provides practical advice and support to help bereaved people and enables anyone bereaved to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Phone 0808 808 1677.

WAY Widowed & Young is a charity supporting bereaved partners aged 50 and under. Phone 0870 011 3450.

Hampshire charity Simon Says offers support to children who have been bereaved.

Samaritans has volunteers available 24 hours a day to talk to you if you are feeling distressed. Call their free telephone number 116 123.

Independent Age produces an advice guide on Coping with Bereavement.