Havering Businessman launches Unique Service to help the Bereaved

A Havering businessman has launched a unique FREE service today to help the bereaved find the best funeral director and to get all the support they need following the death of a loved one.

Funeral Experts is the brainchild of Hornchurch’s Jason Ghous. He has launched the pilot scheme for the business in Liverpool and hopes to quickly capitalise on the venture’s expected success by taking it nationwide as soon as possible.

It was backing by Liverpool City Council and Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, that persuaded Jason to launch FuneralExperts.com – a new free funeral and bereavement advice service, accessible by phone and online – in the city.

“When a loved one dies, making the arrangements for their funeral can be extremely distressing, complicated, and often very expensive,” Jason told the Havering Daily.

“We are completely independent of the funeral industry. When someone contacts us, we will provide a supportive environment to explore their funeral options based on their unique circumstances. This allows them to make informed decisions about which funeral directors to discuss their loved one’s funeral with,” he added.

Jason said the landmark launch makes Liverpool the UK’s first “Compassion in Bereavement” city.“

FuneralExperts.com chose Liverpool to be the first city in the country to trial the new service because of the incredible support offered by both the NHS and Liverpool City Council. Our new advice centre is based in Liverpool, and we hope to offer up to 200 jobs once the business goes national.”

The bereaved will also get advice on the next steps, informing different organisations about their loved one’s death, available financial support for paying for the funeral, welfare benefits information, probate and estate management and grief support through signposting to Funeral Experts’ various partners in the charity and private sectors.

Jason explained the service was far more than a comparison site that directs the bereaved to the cheapest price. “There’s so much to understand when organising a funeral. Should it be attended or unattended? A cremation or burial? Direct, simple, or traditional? Do I need probate? Bereavement support? Government help? How do I close my relative’s accounts? With this service, we can help empower the bereaved with the knowledge they need to make informed choices and do it with compassion and trust,” he explained.

“The website has so much information, but if the bereaved want to understand more, they can call us, and one of our trained funeral and bereavement advisors will help them. We’re completely independent of the funeral industry, and by partnering with the NHS and local authorities, we can ensure our service is freely available to the bereaved in the earliest possible time.”

Jason is also keen to praise local MP Jon Cruddas and prospective parliamentary candidate Margaret Mullane for their support and the valuable advice they have given him in setting up Funeral Experts.

Senior managers within Liverpool City Council and the NHS were also approached for comment by the Havering Daily.

Alan Sheldon, Liverpool City Council’s Head of Bereavement Services, said: “It’s very common that we meet people grieving for their loved ones who feel overwhelmed by the responsibility of arranging a funeral. It is very important to find the right person to help you organise a funeral, but people may not feel able to talk to lots of different providers, with the result that they end up choosing a service which isn’t right for them. I’m so pleased to be the first city working with Funeral Experts on a solution to support people in their time of need, and I hope that it proves to be something that other UK local authorities want to replicate.

”Fiona Murphy MBE, Corporate Nursing Director at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to partner with Liverpool City Council and FuneralExperts.com to help improve the support we can offer to bereaved families.”

“At LUHFT, our SWAN Bereavement Team has included information about the service in our bereavement packs, which are given to those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The website provides families with an open and transparent choice on a range of matters they may have to consider following a bereavement, which I believe will be beneficial and help take some of the stress and worry out of those decisions.”

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