Bereavement
Often an overlooked group, some of us ended up estranged from our families or in care because our caregivers passed away. Dealing with bereavement can be particularly tough when you're estranged and/or care experienced because this brings another level of complexity to our experience.
Please take care of yourself when reading this page as you may find it difficult. 💜
Cruse Bereavement Care
"If you are here because someone close to you has died, we are very sorry. Grief is a natural process, but it we know it can be devastating. You are not alone. We are here to support you."
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help
On Family: https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/about-grief/coping-death-parent
Mind - Losing someone to suicide
Every type of grief has the potential to cause intense and complex feelings, but research shows that people bereaved by suicide can have a particularly complex set of feelings and can experience additional struggles and dilemmas in trying to resolve their grief.
Mind offer support and advice in this area.
Support Line
This website contains support and advice for bereaved people and is particularly aimed at those who are isolated, at risk, vulnerable and victims of any form of abuse.
They also cover bereavement caused by murder or suicide and provide advice on talking to children who have been bereaved.
Website: https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/bereavement/
NHS Support
Most people experience grief when they lose something or someone important to them. If these feelings are affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.
Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with stress, anxiety or depression. If you need more support, you can get free psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) on the NHS. You can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service without a referral from a GP.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/coping-with-bereavement/
Practical Advice: What to do when someone dies (step by step guide)
This is the official information on what to do after a death - including information on how to register the death, notify government departments, change benefits and manage financial issues.
Website: https://www.gov.uk/when-someone-dies
Further Support and Information
The Bereavement Register:
020 7089 6403 or 0800 082 1230 (24 hour automated registration service)
Service specifically designed to remove from databases and mailing files, the names and addresses of people who have died.
Bereavement Trust Helpline:
0800 435 455 6pm-10pm every evening
Support for anyone who has been bereaved.
BrakeCare:
0808 8000 401
Helpline for people bereaved or injured in a road crash, listening ear and information on practical matters, and local counselling and trauma therapy services. Also offers assistance to police officers and other professionals.
Campaign Against Drinking and Driving:
Helpline 01924 562 252
To support and assist the victims and families of victims who have suffered death or injury by drunken drivers on the roads in the UK.
Child Bereavement Charity:
0800 02 888 40
Support for bereaved families, online discussion forums, information.
The Compassionate Friends:
0345 123 2304
Helpline and support services run by bereaved parents. Support to parents and their immediate families after the death of a child/children of any age and from any cause.
The Laura Centre:
www.thelauracentre.org - A family bereavement counselling centre which provides confidential counselling and group support free of charge for anyone affected by death of a child, at any age and from any cause. Any school aged child affected by the death of a parent, grandparent or significant adult. Telephone and email support throughout UK, face to face primarily Leicester, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire, Derbyshire, Warwickshire and Lincolnshire.
The Lullaby Trust
0808 802 6868
Offer confidential support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young toddler. This is available immediately or at any later time in your lives. This support is for families, friends, carers and professionals.
Rosie Crane Trust
01460 55120 24hr helpline
The Rosie Crane Trust provides support to bereaved parents.
SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter):
0121 472 2912
Telephone support line for families and friends of homicide victims.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide:
0300 111 5065
National Helpline and other support services run by a self help group for people bereaved by suicide. Helpline provides listening support and will put people in touch with their nearest local group. Monthly group meetings in various locations. Bereavement pack and literature for survivors. Conferences and support days.
WAY Widowed and Young:
National charity for men and women aged 50 or under when their partner died. Peer-to-peer support group run by a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves so they understand exactly what other members are going through. More than 1,500 member across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Winston's Wish:
08088 020 021
Support for bereaved children and young people.
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