Grief is not something you need to manage alone — and it's not something you should have to. Yet many people in the UK struggle through bereavement without ever seeking support, often because they don't know what's available, or because they feel they should be coping better than they are.
There is no right way to grieve, and no timeline by which you should feel better. If you're struggling — whether the loss happened last week or three years ago — support is available.
Free Helplines
Cruse Bereavement Support
The UK's largest bereavement charity. Offers a free national helpline, email support, and one-to-one counselling through local branches.
- Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Monday–Friday 9am–5pm, with extended hours on some days)
- Website: cruse.org.uk
Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for anyone struggling emotionally — including grief.
- Helpline: 116 123 (free, any time)
- Email: jo@samaritans.org
- Website: samaritans.org
Shout
Free, confidential text-based support available 24/7.
- Text SHOUT to 85258
Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Community
A free online community where bereaved people can connect with others who understand. Also offers online counselling.
- Website: sueryder.org/bereavement
Support for Specific Types of Loss
Child bereavement (parents who have lost a child)
- The Lullaby Trust — lullabytrust.org.uk — specialises in sudden infant death
- Child Bereavement UK — childbereavementuk.org — 0800 028 8840
- Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death) — sands.org.uk — 0808 164 3332
Bereaved children and young people
- Winston's Wish — 08088 020 021 — winstonswish.org
- Hope Again (young people) — hopeagain.org.uk
Widowed people
- WAY (Widowed and Young) — for people widowed under 51 — way.org.uk
- Widowed & Young Foundation — peer support groups across the UK
Suicide bereavement
- PAPYRUS — papyrus-uk.org
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) — 0300 111 5065 — uksobs.org
Sudden or traumatic death
- Sudden (formerly Foundation for Sudden Infant Death) — sudden.org
- Disaster Action — disasteraction.org.uk
Counselling and Therapy
If you feel you need more structured support than a helpline, counselling can be enormously helpful. Options include:
NHS counselling: Speak to your GP and ask for a referral to a bereavement counsellor or IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service. Waiting times vary by area.
Cruse local branches: Many offer face-to-face counselling at low or no cost. Find your local branch at cruse.org.uk.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): Their directory at bacp.co.uk/search allows you to find accredited counsellors near you, many of whom specialise in bereavement.
Online therapy: Platforms such as BetterHelp and BACP-registered online counsellors offer flexible, remote sessions for those who prefer not to travel.
Peer Support Groups
Sometimes the most helpful thing is talking to someone who has experienced the same kind of loss. Peer support groups — often free — exist across the UK both in person and online.
- Cruse runs local groups in most areas
- WAY Foundation runs social events and groups for younger widowed people
- Sue Ryder's online community is accessible any time
Ask your GP surgery, local hospice, or funeral director about groups in your area — many know of local initiatives not listed online.
At Work
Many employers offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) that include free, confidential counselling sessions. Check with your HR team — you may be entitled to support you don't know about.
When to Seek Help Urgently
If grief is leading to thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out immediately:
- Call 999 in an emergency
- Call Samaritans on 116 123 any time, day or night
- Go to your nearest A&E
Grief can become complicated, particularly after sudden, traumatic, or multiple losses. This is not weakness — it is a recognised condition that responds well to professional support.
If you're in the early stages of bereavement and need to arrange a funeral, our directory can help you find and compare trusted funeral directors near you.