Bereavement support

AtaLoss

Find local groups, organisations and groups who provide suicide bereavement support via AtaLoss.

Brake

Brake supports people bereaved and seriously injured by road crashes. Brake is the national road victim service. Use Brake’s free support service if you are bereaved, seriously injured, or helping a road crash victim. To get help, call 0808 8000 401 or email help@brake.org.uk. Open Monday to Friday 10am–4pm.

Care for the Family

The death of a child, of any age, brings heartbreak and devastation. Whether your child died recently or some time ago, Bereaved Parent Support from Care for the Family is here to help you.

The Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends 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 from a month old and from any cause. Helpline: call 0345 123 2304 or email helpline@tcf.org.uk.

Cruse Bereavement Support

Cruse Bereavement Support helps people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning. The helpline is 0808 808 1577 (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9.30 am-5:00 pm; Tuesday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm) or you can get support in your own area from one of 80 branches. You can also call a local branch, if you prefer. They have a dedicated website for Scotland. Live chat is available on the website.

The Bereavement Register

If someone you know has died, the Bereavement Register can reduce the amount of unwanted marketing post being sent to them, stopping painful daily reminders. By registering with this free service, the names and addresses of the deceased are removed from mailing lists, stopping most advertising mail within as little as six weeks.

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK helps 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) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying. Helpline: 0800 028 8840 and live chat on the website, both available 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday–Friday, excluding bank holidays. Responses to chat requests and email may be the next working day.

Child Death Helpline

The Child Death Helpline (freephone 0800 282 986 every day of the year – Monday to Friday 10:00 am–1:00 pm and Monday to Sunday 7:00 pm–10:00 pm) is operated by a dedicated team of volunteers who are all bereaved parents. If you’re a parent who has lost a child of any age, under any circumstances, and however recently or long ago, they can help. They also offer support to grandparents, siblings and the extended family, as well as professionals who have been impacted by the death of a child.

Funeral Expenses Payment

Get help with funeral costs: you could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you’re arranging. In Scotland, the Funeral Support Payment has replaced the Funeral Expenses Payment.

GriefChat

Free, professional support through grief with a qualified bereavement counsellor. GriefChat is open Monday – Friday, 09:00–21:00 (GMT). In those hours, they provide a live instant chat service with a qualified bereavement counsellor, through our partners, that is free-to-user.

The Miscarriage Association

If you’ve been affected by miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy, this website will provide the information and support that you’re looking for. They offer support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy, raise awareness and promote good practice in medical care. The helpline is 01924 200799 (Mon, Tue, Thu 9:00 am–4:00 pm, Wed, Fri 9:00 am–8:00 pm).

RoadPeace

RoadPeace is the national charity for road crash victims. It provides information and support services to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes, and engages in evidence-based policy and campaigning work to fight for justice for victims and reduce road danger. Helpline: phone 0800 160 1069 or email helpline@roadpeace.org.

SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter)

SAMM provides a wide range of peer support services to people bereaved by murder and manslaughter. There is no time limit on becoming a member. Its services are open to everyone regardless of how long ago they were bereaved. SAMM support close relatives as well as wider family members. Helpline – call 0121 472 2912 or text 07342 888570.

Sands

Sands is here to support anyone affected by pregnancy loss and the death of a baby to offer understanding and comfort. They also work to improve the care of babies, discover why babies are dying and reduce inequalities in healthcare. The Sands National Helpline provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby – whether your baby died long ago or recently. Sands helpline – call 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk.

Support After Suicide Partnership

Online resources and links to other services, if you have been impacted by suicide. Does not provide direct emotional support.

Suicide&Co

The helpline is a listening service that provides emotional support and practical guidance to adults bereaved by suicide in England and Wales, from day one of their loss, whether a family member, friend, colleague or someone else, at any point in the grief journey. You can call the helpline on 0800 054 8400 from 9:00 am–5:00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Offers UK peer-led support to adults impacted by suicide loss. They help individuals support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. They aim to provide safe, confidential environments where people can share their experiences and feelings, giving and gaining support from each other. 0300 111 5065.

Tell Us Once

Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go. You can use Tell Us Once if the person who died was living in England, Scotland or Wales. This includes if the person died while they were abroad temporarily, for example on a holiday or business trip. The death must have been registered or reported to the coroner.

Winston’s Wish

Winston’s Wish provides grief and bereavement support for children and young people (up to 25) after the death of someone important, along with advice and support for the parents, carers and professionals supporting them.