Helpful organisations

Most people find the help of family and friends is enough to support them through the experience of bereavement.

However, sometimes it can be helpful to talk with people who have gone through a similar experience or with someone who is trained in supporting people who are bereaved.

Talk to your general practitioner if you are concerned that you are not coping. They can check that there is no physical cause for the way you are feeling and many surgeries have counsellors on their staff.

There are also self-help groups set up and run by the bereaved and other organisations, many of them charities which specialise in providing support to the bereaved.

There are so many organisations that provide invaluable information and support to people affected by bereavement. Some serve a specific geographical area or people affected by a particular type of death. To avoid this page becoming just another phone directory  we have given details of just a selection below.

Please be aware that some of these organisations are staffed by volunteers and may provide an answer-machine service at times.

Emergency assistance

The Samaritans
24 hour helpline support every day of the year for anyone in distress including those who are feeling suicidal. 
T: 08457 90 90 90
W: www.samaritans.org

Medical Emergencies - dial 999

Medical advice in a non-emergency situation - dial 111

NHS Choices
W: www.nhs.uk
Gives access to find NHS services including hospitals and local doctors and helpful information on a huge variety of health related topics.

Psychological/emotional support

Cruse Bereavement Care
Helpline: 01772 433645 Mon-Fri 0930-1700
E: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Young Person's helpline: 0808 808 1677
W: www.cruse.org.uk

Provides one-to-one and other support to the bereaved organised through local

Death of a baby or child and/or children affected by a death

Miscarriage Association
T: 01924 200799
W: miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Originally founded by people who had experienced miscarriage it continues to provide support and encourage good care by professionals.

Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS)
T: 020 7436 5881
E: helpline@uk-sands.org
W: sands.org.uk
Welcomes calls from anyone affected by a stillbirth or a baby, family, friends or professionals including long after the event.

Child Bereavement UK
T: 01494 568900 for the Information & Support Team
W: childbereavement.org.uk
A charity that has a dual focus of training professionals who work with families and children affected by a death which also produces excellent resources that can be used by those who are bereaved. This includes families and professionals supporting children affected by the death of an adult or anyone affected by the death of a child.

Child Death Helpline
T: 0800 282986
Mon-Fri 1000-1300, Weds only 1300-1600
Every day 1900-2200
W: childdeathhelpline.org
Helpline support for anyone affected by the death of a child, irrespective of the age of the child, the relationship or the length of time since the death.
Provided by Great Ormond Street and Royal Liverpool Children's Hospitals.

Winston's Wish
Helpline: 08452 03 04 05
W: winstonswish.org.uk
Gives support for those caring for children affected by the death of a parent or a sibling and to the children themselves. 

Childhood Bereavement Network
T: 020 7843 6309
W: childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
Although this organisation is mainly a professional network their website has a good search facility on its front page to allow you to find support services for children in your local area.

Carers

Carers Trust
The new organisation for carers formed by the merging of Crossroad Care and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. (The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is still the title in Scotland).
W: carers.org
T: If you cannot find what you want on the website call this number: 0800 800 4361

Macmillan Cancer Support
T: 0808 808 0000
Mon- Fri 0900-2100
W: macmillan.org.uk
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer whether they have been diagnosed themselves or are a family member, carer or friend.

Death of a pet

The Blue Cross
T: 0800 096 6606 Everyday 0830-2030
W: bluecross.org.uk
Telephone and email support following the loss of a companion animal.

Practical issues

Citizens Advice
W: adviceguide.org.uk
Advice is not available from a national number. This site gives information and links to local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

GOV.UK - public services all in one place
W: gov.uk
Official portal to UK national and local government services.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
T: 020 7008 1500
W: fco.gov.uk follow links to Travelling and Living Abroad - contact us
Government number for advice for deaths overseas or contacting relatives known to be overseas about a death in the UK. See website for numbers for contact details for individual embassies.

Money Advice Service
T: 0300 500 5000
W: moneyadvice.co.uk
Clear unbiased information to help you manage your money better.

Both of these organisations below  can help prevent unwanted mail to the deceased:

The Bereavement Register
T: 0800 082 2233
W: Bereavement register.org.uk

Deceased Preference Service
T: 0800 068 44 33
W: deceased preference service