Bereavement – useful organisations
Contact details for specialist organisations to support you if you are dealing with grief, bereavement and loss.
The death of someone can be shattering.
Everyone experiences grief differently. There is no “normal” or “right” way to deal with it.
There are lots of organisations which offer specialist help and support. Many give support long after the loss.
If you are dealing with the administration of someone’s estate, use the Tell us once service. It will report the death to most government organisations in one go.
General support
Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hour)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: info@cruse.org.uk
One-to-one support for anyone who has suffered a loss. Their support options include a telephone helpline and local support through trained volunteers.
Cruse Bereavement Scotland
Helpline: 0808 802 6161
Available to listen, offering an impartial ear with no agenda, or support you via one-to-one counselling sessions.
Sue Ryder
Support, information and resources, qualified counsellors and a community of people with similar experiences. If you’re struggling with grief, their online bereavement service offers free and professional video counselling to anyone living in the UK.
Good Grief Cafés
Virtual and pop-up cafes for anyone who is bereaved to come together for a social
gathering and to share experiences with others who are grieving.
Specialist support for adults
Facing the Future
Free online groups run by Samaritans for adults who have been bereaved by
suicide and want to talk through their feelings with others. These are a safe
space to talk. 6-sessions, 90-minutes long over consecutive weeks.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Online community that offers peer-to-peer support for survivors of bereavement by
suicide.
Widowed and Young (WAY)
Only national charity in the UK for people aged 50 or under who have lost a partner. It’s a peer-to-peer support group run by a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves. They understand what other members are going through.
The Compassionate Friends
Helpline: 0345 123 2304
Email: helpline@tcf.org.uk
Charitable grief support organisation for parents and families who have suffered the loss of a child or children. They offer encouragement, support and advice for all involved, including professionals that are helping grieving families.
sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
Helpline: 0808 164 3332
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Offer support to those who have been affected by a still birth or the death of a baby.
sands Northern Ireland
Helpline: 07740 993450
Support all bereaved parents who have lost their babies, before, during or shortly after birth. Their helpline is shared on a rota basis between the Sands befrienders throughout Northern Ireland. All their befrienders are volunteers, usually parents who have directly been affected by the loss of a baby.
Miscarriage Association
Helpline: 01924 200 799
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Provide support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy. Their staffed pregnancy loss helpline provides support and information on miscarriage and pregnancy loss.
Specialist support for children and families
Winston’s Wish
Helpline: 08088 020 021
Email: ask@winstonswish.org
Gives help to grieving children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) as they start to rebuild their lives after a family death.
Grief Encounter
Helpline: 0808 802 0111
Email: grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
Offer free, professional support to bereaved children, young people and their families. Their qualified clinical team offer face-to-face and online therapeutic services, including grieftalk, their free, national helpline. They tailor long-term care plans to the individual.
The Lullaby Trust
Helpline: 0808 802 6868
Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk
Offers emotional support for bereaved families. Calls to their helpline are free from all landlines and most mobile phone networks.
Practical support
British Consulate
Advice on how to register a death while abroad.
ACAS
Best practice information and advice about time off following a bereavement.
How we can help and support you
Coping with grief
Get grief support through your phone with the option of live text with a bereavement counsellor.
Boost your wellbeing
Day-to-day wellbeing app to help you manage your wellbeing.
Got a question?
If you are not sure what you need or have question, contact us.
Related pages
Relationships
When a relationship breaks down, the stress can take over your life. Whatever’s going on, we’re on hand to support you through it.
Caring for others
We get how hard it is to care for someone. You need care and support too. We’re here to help.
Donate in memory
Pay tribute to the life of a loved one or colleague. Donate in their memory to commemorate their life.
Thanks for your feedback!
