Working together to improve bereavement care in Stockport by Ryan Guerin

Ryan, our acting Head of Business has been involved with an ongoing project with the Community Nurses of Stockport. This collaboration is helping to improve bereavement care in our area, with the next steps being to make it available nationally, as the issues we are resolving are not just regional. Our joint aim is to ensure families in the community feel better supported when a death occurs, especially in those early days, and/or early hours.

Working Together to Improve Bereavement Care in Stockport by Ryan Guerin

Over recent months, I have had the privilege of working alongside the community nurses of Stockport on a project that I believe has the potential to transform bereavement care. The idea was first sparked when nurse Justine Richbell spent some time with me at Alcocks to learn more about the funeral industry. During our discussions, I explained a concern I have carried for some time: when a death occurs out of hours, families often feel rushed into appoint a Funeral Director. In those first few hours, while emotions are raw and decisions feel overwhelming, many people do not yet know which provider they wish to choose.

Justine recognised immediately that this was a genuine problem faced by families every day. Even in situations where a death is expected, she confirmed that many families remain uncertain about their choices. It became clear that there was a gap in both information and support.

From there, Justine and her colleague Louise Birchall took action, arranging group meetings with community nurses to give me the opportunity to explain the perspective of the funeral sector and to provide training on how nurses can best support families during those first critical moments.

These meetings have proved invaluable. They created a space for open discussion between healthcare and funeral professionals, helping to bridge two sectors that share the same goal: giving families the care and time they need. Over time, the project has grown into something much bigger. Together, we have drafted a new NHS leaflet entitled A Guide for the Recently Bereaved. This resource outlines the immediate steps families should take following a death, while also offering clear and practical guidance on how to approach the appointment of a funeral director. It is designed to give people confidence and reassurance, ensuring that their decision is based on careful thought rather than the pressure of the moment.

In addition, I reached out to local funeral directors who are members of the trade association to ask if they would be willing to support this initiative by undertaking removals only when required, giving families breathing space before they commit to a full arrangement. I was heartened by the response, many directors welcomed the approach and expressed their willingness to help. This sense of shared responsibility shows what can be achieved when professionals work together in the best interests of the community.

Looking ahead, I feel strongly that this work should not remain confined to Stockport. The challenge we have identified is not unique to our area; it is an issue faced by families across the country. For this reason, I will be engaging with the NAFD to explore how this framework can be adopted on a national level. By doing so, we can ensure that families everywhere are supported with dignity, patience, and clarity at a time when they need it most.

The photograph accompanying this blog is more than just a snapshot of a training session. In the picture, I am delivering training to a group of community nurses as they take their lunch break. On the surface, it may seem an ordinary scene. Yet for me, it carries real significance.

These nurses are under immense daily pressures. Their schedules are packed, their responsibilities wide-ranging, and their time scarce. And yet, they chose to spend their lunch, precious time that could have been used for rest, by sitting together to learn about bereavement care. Attendance was not required. They came because they wanted to improve the support they give to families at one of the most difficult moments in life.

That is the power of this image. It shows not only their commitment to professional development, but also their compassion and determination to provide the very best care. I hold the deepest admiration for all NHS staff, and this moment serves as just one of many reminders of their extraordinary dedication.

There will be further updates as the project progresses, so check back again soon.

Ryan Guerin Dip FD
Acting Head of Business & Funeral Director at Jonathan Alcock and Sons Ltd
August 2025