Bereavement support

Advice and support to help you deal with your loss

The death of a loved one or close friend is one of the most difficult times in each of our lives. Whether this is expected, following a long term illness, or sudden and unexpected, the grieving process is deeply personal. Your loss is unique and personal to you and everybody copes with it in different ways.

Bereavement can be a traumatic event and many people go through a range of emotions. Allowing yourself to grieve is an important part of getting over the death of someone close to you.

It can be difficult to cope on your own. Many people have a feeling of being overwhelmed, particularly as there are a lot of administrative procedures to go through. You can seek practical help from a funeral director or from your family doctor. Support from solicitors, religious organisations and social care services are also available.

Simply talking to someone sympathetic, who understands what you're going through, can be a big help. This could be a friend or work colleague or it could be a bereavement counsellor whose job it is simply to listen and offer support.

There is a number of organisations and charities, listed below, which provide advice and support to those who have been bereaved.

For local and national bereavement support/counselling, face to face or in groups

• North Worcestershire Bereavement Support provides confidential one-to-one counselling support for people living in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn, who have experienced bereavement or loss, including pet loss. The service is free of charge.
• Bereavement Support Worcestershire provides information and links to organisations and services which may be able to offer support and assistance across a range of needs from practical activities to emotional support.
• KEMP Hospice - provide support to anyone living in the Wyre Forest who is facing or has experienced a bereavement or loss in the last 5 years. It's not just for people who have lost a loved one to a life-limiting illness, or people who have had a family member use KEMP's Day Hospice, they offer bereavement support for all circumstances.
• The Bereavement Trust - for support and someone to talk to.
• Cruse Bereavement Care- work with and support people who have been bereaved. They focus on helping people understand their grief, and cope with their loss. Their services are free. There is a Worcestershire District branch who can be contacted by telephone 01905 22223.
• Marie Curie - care and support provided for those living with terminal illness and beyond.
• Samaritans - Offer confidential, non-judgmental support through a telephone help line 08457 90 90 90. The line is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, and offers help for people who are experiencing severe distress or despair. It supports people through emails, letters and face-to-face meetings.
• Macmillan cancer support - help for those facing cancer.
• Worcestershire Healthy Minds - offers a variety of support including self-referral.
• Counselling Directory - a confidential UK service which connects you to qualified counsellors.
• Bereaved by Suicide Services - Victim Support -  a free confidential service, offering children and adults, living in Worcestershire, non-judgmental and client led support, who are bereaved, or affected by, the suspected suicide or suicide of someone they know or have been a witness to. This could be, for example, a family member, friend, neighbour, or professional working with the person who died, such as a teacher, a member of the emergency services or a bystander who may be a witness. Emotional and practical support is offered, along with signposting to other specialist services to anyone who needs our services. People are supported after their loss, regardless of the time since the bereavement took place and for as long as needed. The service offers suicide specific bereavement support and refer on to specialist organisations or local counselling if needed.

For support/counselling on the death of a child or a child facing bereavement:

• PAPYRUS - provide confidential support to young persons struggling with thoughts of suicide and anyone worried about a young person.
• Winston's Wish is a national charity that provides support for bereaved children. They run drops-ins in Worcester, Evesham and Upton-upon-Severn as well offer a free helpline that providers support, information and guidance to all those caring or supporting a child or young person who has been bereaved.
• Edward's Trust - Supporting children and families facing loss and surviving bereavement across the West Midlands.
• SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Deaths Charity) provide free support for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby. They aim at improving bereavement care received by parents and families and help influence the policy makers by promoting research. They provide free support through their national helpline 0801 164 3332, forums and network of support groups.
• The Miscarriage Association Aims to help anyone who has suffered a miscarriage, molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy. Their helpline number is 01924 200799 open Monday to Friday 9:00am – 4:00pm
• Child Bereavement UK - offers support to help rebuild lives following a child’s death.
• Mind - mental health advice and support.
• Young Minds - mental health support for young adults and children.
• SOBS - self help voluntary organisation providing support following suicide deaths. They have a support group in Bromsgrove, who can be contacted on 07811 172767

Further information

• Dying Matters - to help people talk more openly about dying, death and make plans for end of life.
• Funeral Expenses Payment (social funds) - You may be eligible to receive a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called Funeral Payment). if you receive certain benefits and need it to help pay for a funeral you’re arranging. Please visit GOV.UK for more information.