Useful Links

General Bereavement Support

Cruse Bereavement Support

Cruse Bereavement Support is the UK’s leading bereavement charity for people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. They help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning. They are here to make sure that everyone grieving gets the support they need, when they need it. You can access Cruse’s services through our website, national helpline (0808 808 1677), group, zoom, telephone or one-to-one in person support. We have a specially trained, dedicated team of 4,000 bereavement volunteers and also provide training and consultancy for external organisations and for those who may encounter bereaved people in the course of their work.

Visit cruse.org.uk for support and information. You’re not alone.

At a loss

Ataoss provides the UK’s bereavement signposting and information website, enabling bereaved people to find tailored support and practical information all in one place. They aim to help prevent mental ill-health, promote well-being and help people move forward with their lives following loss. Visit ataloss.org.

The Loss Foundation

https://thelossfoundation.org/

• Support Groups – Online bereavement groups for sharing stories and experiences.
• Therapy Groups – 12-week bereavement therapy led by Clinical Psychologists.
• Grief Workshops – Focused sessions addressing common grief-related challenges.
• Retreats, Walk and Talks, Connect

The Good Grief Trust

The good grief trust shares stories from others who have had a similar loss, practical and emotional support and signposting to local and national support. Visit https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/.

Losing a Baby

Sands

Sands provides a safe, confidential place for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby, at any stage of the pregnancy. Whether your baby died long ago or recently, Sands is here for you. Visit https://www.sands.org.uk/support-you/how-we-offer-support.

Miscarriage association

The Miscarriage Association offer support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy, to raise awareness and to promote good practice in medical care. Visit miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Twins trust

Twins trust provide twins, triplets or more – and their families – with the information needed to make informed decisions and facilitate a network of community support. Visit https://twinstrust.org/bereavement.html.

Lullaby trust

The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome, provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families. Visit www.lullabytrust.org.uk.

Aching Arms

Aching Arms is here to help and support you when you’ve experienced the heartbreak of losing your baby, during pregnancy, at birth or soon after. Visit www.achingarms.co.uk.

Antenatal Results & Choices (Arc)

Arc is a national charity helping parents and healthcare professionals through antenatal screening and its consequences. Visit www.arc-uk.org.

Ectopic Pregnancy Trust

The EPT provides information, education and support to those affected by ectopic pregnancy and to the health professionals who care for them. Visit https://ectopic.org.uk/.

Losing a Spouse

WAY Widowed and Young

WAY is a UK charity that offers a peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday. Visit www.widowedandyoung.org.uk.

Losing a Sibling

Sibling Support

Sibling support offers support for those whose sibling has passed. Visit https://www.siblingsupport.co.uk/.

Losing a Child

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. We 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. We provide training to professionals in health and social care, education, and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.

National Helpline: 0800 02 888 40 or email helpline@childbereavementuk.org. Live Chat via the website: www.childbereavementuk.org

Supporting Children and Young People

Young lives vs cancer

Young Lives vs Cancer provides practical and emotional support to children and young people with cancer and their families. When a child or young person dies, Young Lives vs Cancer Social Workers help families through bereavement, supporting them to deal with practicalities, providing grants to help with funeral costs, and connecting them with bereavement organisations and resources. Find out more: https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/what-we-do/bereavement-support/

Winston’s Wish

Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief. Through information, on-demand services, bereavement support and counselling, we support young people to understand their feelings, process their grief and find ways to move forward with hope for a brighter futures. We also help the adults who are caring for young grieving people including parents, school staff and healthcare professionals. Visit winstonswish.org.

Child Bereavement UK

See ‘Losing a Child’ section

Losing a Loved One to Cancer

Safeena Muslim Cancer Support Network

Safeena provides practical, educational, emotional support, and in particular, Islamic guidance’ for Muslims affected by cancer. Visit https://www.safeena.org.uk/.

Reading

• Hussain Z. A gift for the bereaved parent. Ta-Ha Publishers Ltd; 2010.
• Al-Suyuti J. The Virtue of Remaining Steadfast When Losing a Child. IMPRINT (IZ); 2016.