Bereavement Resources
Grief is never easy so we have put together this list of bereavement organisations which we hope you will find helpful at this difficult time.
The organisations included all offer free advice. Please do reach out to someone if you are struggling. If at any point you feel you are at breaking point, call NHS 111 and they will find you the help and support you need.
Please note that Harrison Funeral Home has no affiliation with any of these organisations.
GENERAL - HELP FOR ALL
Here are some general ‘help for all’ bereavement organisations. If you prefer to find an organisation to help with a specific bereavement, you will find these further down the page.
The Good Grief Trust is a charity “run by the bereaved for the bereaved” and acts as directory by providing links to bereavement support across the UK, bringing together bereavement services in one place.
website: thegoodgrieftrust.org | helpline: 0800 2600 400
Helpline Opening Hours
- Monday – Friday: 10am-4pm
Cruse is a nationwide organisation with a mission to make sure that grieving people can access support. As well as a helpline where you can talk to someone about what you are going through, Cruse offers local services through its network of volunteers. Your GP may refer you to this organisation after a bereavement.
website: cruse.org.uk | helpline: 0808 808 1677
Helpline Opening Hours
- Monday: 9.30am-5pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm
- Wednesday: 9.30am-8pm
- Thursday: 9.30am-8pm
- Friday: 9.30am-5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10am-2pm
Sue Ryder is a charity that helps people through the most difficult times of their life, including bereavement. Their Online Bereavement Support makes it easy to connect with the right support for you – whether that’s information and resources, qualified counsellors or a community of others with similar experiences. These services are free and easy to access on your computer, smartphone or tablet.
You can register here for free and professional video counselling if you live in the UK and are 18+.
website: sueryder.org/bereavement-support
Whilst not bereavement specific, Samaritans are available 24/7 to help anyone who is struggling. The person you speak to will listen to you and offer support. We are listing their freephone helpline number here though there are many other ways to contact them, such as email and text, with details for this available on their website.
w: samaritans.org | helpline: 116 123 (available 24/7/365 – call any time)
Not bereavement specific, but Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text-messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
Text 85258 for help now.
website: giveusashout.org
Your GP can help you if you are finding it difficult to cope.
If you need an appointment with your GP, please do let them know that it is a mental health appointment (bereavements are considered as such) and they will usually fast-track to get you in. Aside from anything medically that needs to be managed, your doctor can refer you to a formal counsellor service, and if they do not, please ask because it is available.
HELP FOR CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically for children and young people.
Hope Again is the youth website of the leading UK bereavement organisation, Cruse Bereavement Care.
It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people about how to cope with grief and feel less alone.
website: hopeagain.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK helps children, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. They support children and young people up to the age of 25 who are facing bereavement, and anyone affected by the death of a child of any age. They offer free, confidential bereavement support by telephone, video or instant messenger, wherever you live in the UK.
website: childbereavementuk.org | helpline: 0800 028 8840
Support for children up to the age of 18 and their families after the death of a parent or sibling.
website: winstonswish.org | helpline: 0808 8020 021
Sue Ryder is a charity that helps people through the most difficult times of their life, including bereavement. They have a range of bereavement advice and information to support teenagers and young people through grief.
This is not an organisation but instead is a page of resources to help children, especially the younger ones understand death and grief, usually with the help of Elmo.
The website provides educational content and interactive activities to help support youngsters with their grief.
website: Sesame Street’s, “When Families Grieve”
Grief Encounter supports bereaved children and their families after the death of someone close. Their website includes helpful support pages for young people and adults wanting to support them.
website: griefencounter.org.uk | helpline: 0808 802 0111
- Weekdays 9am-9pm
CORONER SPECIFIC
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically for those whose loved one is with Her Majesty’s Coroner.
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service (CCSS) is an independent voluntary organisation and registered charity whose trained volunteers offer emotional support and practical help to bereaved families, witnesses and others attending an Inquest at a Coroner’s Court.
w. coronerscourtssupportservice.org.uk | freephone: 0300 111 2141
LOSS OF A SPOUSE
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically for spouses.
Widowed and Young (WAY) is the only national charity in the UK specifically for people aged 50 or under when their partner has died – married or not. It is a peer-to-peer support group operating with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves, so they understand exactly what other members are going through.
website: widowedandyoung.org.uk
LOSS OF A PARENT
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically for when a parent has died.
Cruse is a nationwide organisation with a mission to make sure that grieving people can access support – they can support you with the loss of your parent/s. As well as a helpline where you can talk to someone about what you are going through, Cruse offers local services through its network of volunteers.
website: cruse.org.uk/losingaparent | helpline: 0808 808 1677
Helpline Opening Hours
- Monday: 9.30am-5pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm
- Wednesday: 9.30am-8pm
- Thursday: 9.30am-8pm
- Friday: 9.30am-5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10am-2pm
LOSS OF A BABY OR CHILD
Here are some bereavement organisations helping with the loss of a baby or child.
Sands is a UK charity that works across the country to support anyone affected by the death of a baby; improve the care bereaved parents receive from health care and other professionals; and reduce the number of babies who do die by funding research and working closely with other organisations to create a world where fewer babies die.
website: sands.org.uk | helpline: 0808 164 3332
A Child Of Mine is here after the most unimaginable loss, after a baby or child has died. They are there to support families with emotional support, practical information and guidance.
website: achildofmine.org.uk
Saying Goodbye provides comprehensive information, advice, support and much more to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
website: sayinggoodbye.org
If you have experienced a miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy, the Miscarriage Association is there to help with a helpline, online support, and support groups.
miscarriageassociation.or.uk | helpline: 01924 200799
Support for families when a baby or child (of any age) dies or is dying. They also support bereaved children and young people (up to 25 years).
website: childbereavementuk.org | helpline: 0800 028 8840
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other similarly bereaved family members who have suffered the death of a child or children of any age and from any cause.
website: tcf.org.uk | helpline: 0345 123 2304
SLOW (Surviving the Loss of Your World) is an award-winning bereavement charity offering support for bereaved parents and siblings in the UK following the devastating loss of a child.
website: slowgroup.co.uk | helpline: 07532 423 674
LOSS BY SUICIDE
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically for help with loss by suicide.
The Support After Suicide Partnership brings together suicide bereavement organisations and people with lived experience, to achieve a vision that everyone bereaved or affected by suicide is offered timely and appropriate support.
website: supportaftersuicide.org.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide help and support those bereaved by the suicide of a relative or close friend. They provide information, a helpline and other activities, including local groups and events throughout the UK.
website: uksobs.org | helpline: 0300 111 5065
9am-9pm Monday to Sunday
Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Care have teamed up to offer support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
website: facingthefuturegroups.org | telephone: 0208 939 9560
MILITARY-RELATED LOSS
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically helping with military-related loss.
The Royal British Legion (RBL) help serving members of the Armed Forces, ex-Service people and their families. RBL can provide you with a volunteer caseworker to help with basic information regarding bereavement services in your area.
website: britishlegion.org.uk/bereavement-support | helpline: 0808 802 8080
There is also The Royal British Legion Women’s Section who deliver specially tailored welfare support to those who have served in the Armed Forces, or the dependants of someone who has served.
Military Family Project is run by Cruse Bereavement Care, the UK’s leading bereavement support organisation.
Military Family Project supports bereaved veterans following the death of fellow veterans and the families of those who have died in service. Cruse is currently training veterans to offer bereavement support so it is likely that the person assisting you will have a military background.
website: cruse.org.uk/military-family-project
To speak to someone, call the Cruse helpline and tell them you would like to speak to someone specifically from the Military Family Project: 0808 808 1677
Helpline Opening Hours
- Monday: 9.30am-5pm
- Tuesday: 9.30am-8pm
- Wednesday: 9.30am-8pm
- Thursday: 9.30am-8pm
- Friday: 9.30am-5pm
- Saturday and Sunday: 10am-2pm
Veterans Bereavement Support is a not-for-profit community organisation providing bereavement support to veterans and their families across the UK. They are not connected to any veterans’ organisations and are totally independent.
Providing ongoing bereavement care for families and friends of those who have served and who struggle with the passing of someone special, the organisation is run by a small team of dedicated volunteers who donate their time, skills, and talents.
Scotty’s Little Soldiers is a charity dedicated to supporting children and young people – aged 0-25 – who have experienced the death of a parent who served in the British Armed Forces.
Scotty’s can support any child of a deceased parent who was serving in the Armed Forces, including any unborn children at the time of death. regardless of the cause of death.
website: scottyslittlesoldiers.co.uk
LGBTQ Bereavement Support
Here are some bereavement organisations specifically for help with loss by suicide.
The bereavement charity, Sue Ryder, understands the specific challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community during grief. Their team can help you, whether it is for yourself or if you are supporting a friend or family member who identifies as LGBTQ+.
website: sueryder.org/lgbtq
Run by London Friend, Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project is a helpline that offers a listening ear to lesbians and gay men who have been bereaved or are preparing for bereavement. Contact London Friend for details.
website: londonfriend.org.uk