We believe that sharing experiences and bringing grief and loss out into the open can help us find solace and support. But living with grief can also be really tough, especially at a time of global crisis. Social distancing, job insecurity and fears about the Coronavirus can compound our worries and fears. This can mount up to a significant mental health impact. Bereaved or not, we want to highlight some sources of support. If you are outside the UK, please scroll down for selected International Resources.
The Samaritans: When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your
nearest branch.
Cruse Bereavement Care: The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. The number is 0808 808 1677 or email helpline@cruse.org.uk.
Mind: Coronavirus and your wellbeing.
Off The Record: being resilient through the Coronavirus disruption.
Free Headspace Mindfulness: weathering the storm.
BBC article: how to protect your mental health.
WHO: mental health and psychosocial considerations during Covid-19.
NHS: guidance on relieving stress.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Bristol Bereavement Network: directory of local services for Bristol.
Good Grief Trust: an online portal of UK bereavement services, searchable by type and location.
www.bacp.co.uk: for information on finding a qualified counsellor.
The Samaritans.
At a Loss: to help signpost you to the right support.
Shapes of Grief, a podcast/blog by Liz Gleeson, Bereavement Therapist
Griefcast, a podcast that examines the human experience of grief and death, hosted by comedian Cariad Lloyd.
Dying Matters: bereavement services and resources.
Specialist support can be really helpful when you feel like no one understands what you are going through. Below are just some of the organisations out there to support you, with thanks to Cruse Bereavement Care for input.
Gransnet: bereavement forum for the over 50s.
The Jolly Dollies: social network for widows.
Gingerbread: single parents, equal families.
WAY: widowed and young.
Switchboard: LGBT+ Helpline.
Age UK: a PDF on bereavement in later life.
The Silver Line: a helpline for older people.
Cruse Bereavement Care: Coronavirus, bereavement and grief
Information for the Bereaved – Government information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions after a Covid-19 death.
COVID-19: guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic
National Association of Funeral Directors: Covid-19 advice
For further advice and support, see Cruse Bereavement Care Coronavirus: useful links
Fertility Network UK: the National Charity for those experiencing infertility.
Big Fat Negative: support with the challenges of infertility.
Cat and Alice: support with infertility and trying to conceive.
Resolve: the National Infertility Association.
The Compassionate Friends.
The Lullaby Trust: previously Foundation for the Study of Sudden Infant Death.
Child death helpline: for anyone affected by the death of a child.
Child Funeral Charity: financial support for families.
Child Bereavement UK.
The Good Grief Project supports families grieving an untimely death, particularly the death of a child.
Hope Again.
Winston’s Wish.
Childline.
Childhood Bereavement Network.
Child Bereavement UK.
Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide.
Co-operative Funeralcare animated short films.
The Harbour, for those facing death due to serious illness.
Dying matters.
National End of Life Care Programme.
Carers Direct.
Hospice UK.
Victim Support.
Samm: Support after Murder and Manslaughter.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide.
Independent Advisory Panel on Death in Custody.
Inquest: advice to bereaved people on contentious deaths.
Coroner’s Court Support Service.
AfterTrauma: dedicated to helping survivors of traumatic injury and their carers.
Sudden: Supporting people after sudden death.
Brake: Supporting people bereaved after road traffic incidents
The Miscarriage Association.
Sands: The stillbirth and neonatal death charity.
Care confidential: for pregnancy and post-abortion support.
Antenatal Results and Choices.
Alzheimer’s Society.
Cardiac Risk in the Young.
Road peace: the national charity for road crash victims.
MacMillan Cancer Support.
Marie Curie: Care and support through terminal illness.
Mesothelioma: an asbestos-related illness.
Sudden Arrythmic Death Trust.
Drugfam: supporting families affected by a loved one’s use of drugs or alcohol.
DrugRehab.
Ridgefield: the Recovery Village (substance misuse).
Adfam: families affected by drugs and alcohol.
Anyone’s Child (families for safer drug control) from Transform.
Anthony Nolan: Bereavement and stem cell transplants.
Muslim Bereavement Support Service.
Talk about dying (Christian).
Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service.
Blue cross: pet loss.
Cats Protection: grief and loss.
Australia: Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Denmark: The Danish National Center for Grief
Ireland:
Anam Cara – Supporting Parents After Bereavement
Irish Hospice Foundation
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network
Italy: De Leo Fund
Germany: Aeternitas e.V.
Greece: MERIMNA – Association for the Care of Children and Families
Netherlands: ARQ Knowledge Center Traumatic Grief (AKTR)
Norway: Clinic for Crisis Psychology, Psychological Center
Sweden: Swedish Infant Death Foundation (Spädbarnsfonden)
USA:
Aftering.com – list of support organisations
Grief.com Support Group Directory
The Compassionate Friends – Supporting family after a child dies