Bereavement Support Resources UK
🚨 Need Urgent Help?
If you're having thoughts of suicide or are in crisis:
Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7) or email jo@samaritans.org
Emergency services: 999 (immediate danger)
National Bereavement Support Services
Cruse Bereavement Support
The UK's largest bereavement charity. Offers free confidential support including one-to-one counselling, group support, and a national helpline. Support available for adults and children.
Samaritans
Available 24/7, 365 days a year. Samaritans provide confidential emotional support for anyone struggling to cope, including those bereaved. You don't have to be suicidal to call.
Marie Curie Support Line
Free emotional and practical support for anyone affected by terminal illness and bereavement. Staffed by experienced nurses and bereavement specialists.
Sue Ryder Bereavement Support
Provides grief support through online support groups, one-to-one counselling, and bereavement cafes. Specialises in supporting those bereaved through terminal illness and hospice care.
The Good Grief Trust
UK charity offering a directory of bereavement services, online forums, and resources. Helps connect bereaved people with local support services and specialist charities.
Support for Specific Circumstances
Child Bereavement UK
Supports families when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved. Provides training for professionals and a helpline for families.
Winston's Wish
UK's leading childhood bereavement charity. Supports children and young people (up to age 25) after the death of a parent or sibling.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOB)
National charity providing support to those bereaved by suicide. Helpline staffed by trained volunteers who have been bereaved by suicide themselves.
Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity)
Supports anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during, or shortly after birth. Offers a helpline, online forum, and local support groups.
The Miscarriage Association
Provides support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or molar pregnancy.
Sudden Death Support Association
Supports those bereaved by sudden and traumatic death including road accidents, medical negligence, murder, and manslaughter.
Victim Support Homicide Service
Specialist support for families bereaved by murder or manslaughter. Offers practical and emotional support through the criminal justice process.
RoadPeace
National charity for road crash victims. Supports those bereaved or injured in road crashes with emotional support, practical advice, and advocacy.
Faith-Based Support
Care for the Family
Christian charity offering bereavement support through local support groups, online resources, and weekend events for the bereaved.
Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service (JBCS)
Provides counselling and support within the context of Jewish tradition and belief. Services include one-to-one counselling and support groups.
Muslim Bereavement Support Service
Offers support to bereaved Muslim families, including advice on Islamic funeral rites and emotional support rooted in Islamic tradition.
Regional Support
Scotland
Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care Bereavement Network
Directory of bereavement services across Scotland. Helps find local support groups and counselling services.
Wales
2wish Upon A Star (Wales)
Supports families in Wales bereaved by the sudden and traumatic death of a child or young adult (aged 25 or under).
Northern Ireland
Cruse Bereavement Care Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland branch of Cruse, offering free bereavement support including face-to-face counselling and support groups.
Practical Help After Bereavement
Beyond emotional support, you may need practical help with:
- Registering the death — Must be done within 5 days (8 days in Scotland)
- Arranging the funeral — See our guides: Direct Cremation, Green Funerals
- Dealing with the estate — Probate, banks, utilities, pensions
- Benefits and financial support — Bereavement Support Payment, funeral expenses payment
GOV.UK: What to Do When Someone Dies
Official government guidance on registering a death, arranging a funeral, and dealing with the deceased's estate.
Citizens Advice: Help When Someone Dies
Free advice on dealing with finances, benefits, and legal matters after someone dies.
Online Resources and Forums
- Cruse Online Community: www.crusecommunity.org.uk — Moderated forum for bereaved people
- Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Community: support.sueryder.org — Support groups and forums
- At a Loss: www.ataloss.org — Directory of UK bereavement services
When to Seek Professional Help
Grief is a normal response to loss, but you should consider professional support if:
- You're having persistent thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Grief is interfering with daily life for an extended period (months to years)
- You're experiencing complicated grief (intense, prolonged grief that doesn't ease)
- You're turning to alcohol or drugs to cope
- You feel completely unable to function
Where to get help:
- Your GP — Can refer you to NHS counselling or grief therapy
- IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) — NHS talking therapies, self-referral: Find an IAPT service
- Private counselling — BACP directory: www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
Books and Resources
Recommended reading:
- "Grief Works" by Julia Samuel — Practical guide to grief from a leading psychotherapist
- "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion — Personal account of grief after sudden loss
- "It's OK That You're Not OK" by Megan Devine — Modern, realistic approach to grief
- "Good Grief" by Liz Carmichael — Christian perspective on loss and healing
Note: This directory is provided for information only. The Funeral does not endorse specific services. Always verify contact details and services directly with providers. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.