This is a template to help guide schools. It should be amended as appropriate.

Private & Confidential

Name & Address

Date

Dear [Recipient],

I am very sorry to hear about the death of your [e.g. husband or name if relationship not known or clear] xxxx. On behalf of all staff at xxx School, I would like to express our sincere condolences to you and your family at this time.

[Optional] I must apologise for contacting you by email but we are unable to print and send letters at this time.

Your xx [e.g. husband or name] was [……… Free text something about individual e.g. respected by all his colleagues and the children alike throughout the school]. [First name of deceased as appropriate plus something person about employee e.g. Simon ………….. was a valued member of staff and contributed to the school in many ways. His contributions to this school during his 15 years of service were free text ………………. and will not be forgotten].

I know that I speak on behalf of all [First name of deceased] work colleagues at xxx School who are very sorry for your loss and s/he will be sadly missed by all of us who knew and worked with him/her.

Bereavement is a difficult experience under any situation, your loss has taken place under very challenging circumstances during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Both those who experience loss as a consequence to COVID-19, or loss through another cause may experience increased trauma and may be cut off from some of their usual support network. The Greater London Authority (GLA) have put together some resources and support on their website on how to cope with bereavement and grief during the coronavirus outbreak which you may find useful. https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus/how-cope-bereavement-and-grief-during-coronavirus-outbreak

Specialist bereavement support is also available through the charity, Cruse Bereavement Care. You can find a broad range of guidance, including easy to read fact sheets, on the https://www.cruse.org.uk. You can also contact the charity’s free national helpline on 0808 808 1677 or email them at helpline@cruse.org.uk.

[For support staff in the pension scheme] We have notified the pension scheme administrators the Local Pensions Partnership of the death, who will be in contact with you shortly.

[For Teachers in the pensions scheme] You will need to contact Teachers Pensions to inform them of the death on 0345 606 6166 (8.30am – 6:00pm, Monday to Friday). They will ask you to complete an Application for death benefits form and return it to Teachers’ Pensions. This form can be downloaded from https://www.teacherspensions.co.uk

If you require any details of your xxxx’s employment to assist you with any claims or forms you need to complete, please let me know and I will be happy to provide you with this information.

We are committed to helping you through this tough time and are here to support you if we can. Please accept our deepest sympathies to you and your family at this difficult time. Please let us know if we can help in any way.

If you require further help or are unclear on any matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,