Dealing with bereavement and the grief of losing someone close is difficult.
The grief we feel after a bereavement is very personal and we can experience a whole range of emotions from denial and anger to depression. You may be able to lean on family or friends to support you through your bereavement. However, if you’re struggling to cope with a loss, it may help to turn to a bereavement support organisation for advice.
We’ve pulled together a list of specialist bereavement support organisations that can offer help.
General bereavement support
Many people may not be aware of the bereavement support services available in their local community, often because they have not needed to access them before. Your local funeral director can provide more information about these services and where to find them.
Accessible nation-wide, the AtaLoss website is an award-winning bereavement information service that lets people search for all types of bereavement support across the UK. - AtaLoss
For over 60 years, Cruse Bereavement Support has been helping people who are struggling with grief and bereavement. - Cruse Bereavement Care (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) - Cruse Bereavement Care (Scotland)
Marie Curie’s Support Line offers support for people living with a terminal illness and their carers, as well as people who have experienced a bereavement. - Marie Curie
The UK government website lets people in England and Wales search for bereavement services through their local council. - Bereavement support from your local council
Mental health
If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans will provide a safe space to share without judgement or pressure. - Samaritans
Mind Support Line offers a safe and confidential place to talk openly about your feelings and its Infoline can answer questions about mental health problems. - Mind (England and Wales)
Mindwise is a mental health charity in Northern Ireland that provides information on the causes of mental illness, treatment, recovery and support. - Mindwise (Northern Ireland)
Scottish Action for Mental Health (SAMH) provides mental health support and accessible, practical information. - SAMH (Scotland)
Loss of a partner
WAY is a UK charity that offers a peer-to-peer support network for anyone who's lost a partner before their 51st birthday. - Widowed And Young (WAY)
Way Up is an online self-help group providing mutual support to those who have been widowed in their 50’s and 60’s. - Way Up
The Silver Line Helpline run by Age UK is a free, 24-hour telephone service for older people, providing friendship, conversation and support. - The Silver Line
Loss of a child The Compassionate Friends offer bereaved parents and their families emotional support and an opportunity to talk through their feelings. - The Compassionate Friend (TCF)
A confidential freephone service for all those affected by the death of a child. - Child Death Helpline
Child Bereavement UK offers online and in-person bereavement support for individuals, couples, children, young people and families. - Child Bereavement UK
Support for young people Grief Encounter supports children and young people following the death of someone close. - Grief Encounter
It’s Time supports young adults who have experienced the loss of a parent. - It’s Time
Loss in difficult circumstances
Support and Care After Road Death and Injury provides support to those bereaved or injured as a result of a road incident, from chats on the phone, to organising free or low cost counselling. - Support and Care After Road Death and Injury (SCARD)
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide offers UK peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss. - Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
Support After Murder and Manslaughter provides a range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. - Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM)
