Useful organisations
The following organisations provide further guidance and support after a sudden death. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Many hospital chaplaincies employ staff or volunteers from different faith groups, who will be able to provide insights into beliefs and practices that may be observed after a death. Your local Temple, Gurdwara, Synagogue or Mosque may also be able to provide advice.
Your local GP will also be able to signpost you to local services available in your area.
Sudden
Sudden is a charitable initiative for suddenly bereaved people and the people caring for them.
The vision of Sudden is a world where everyone suddenly bereaved gets the help they need at a time of darkness to move forwards to a brighter day. Our mission is to ease the suffering of people bereaved by any kind of sudden death.
T: Sudden Bereavement Helpline 0800 2600 400
Brake
Road safety charity Brake’s National Road Victim Service is for people living in the UK who have been bereaved or who have suffered a serious injury in a road crash either in the UK or abroad.
The service is also available to anyone who supports someone bereaved or injured in a road crash, including carers, faith workers and teachers.
The National Road Victim Service supports bereaved children below the age of 16 via adult carers and professionals using the service. We support families with children by providing information and by liaising with specialist child bereavement support services.
T: 0808 8000 401
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK provides support to adults who have been bereaved of a child of any age, and bereaved young people up to the age of 25.
Child Bereavement UK can also offer face-to-face support to families in a number of locations across the UK.
T: 0800 02 88 40 (Helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Childhood Bereavement Network
The Childhood Bereavement Network provides a hub of resources for those working with bereaved children and young people, and their families, across the UK. The organisation has a map of child bereavement support services at www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/help-around-a-death/find-help-near-you.
Childline
Free national telephone helpline for children and young people.
T: 0800 1111 (Helpline operates Monday to Friday, 7.30am to midnight; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to midnight)
Children of Jannah
Children of Jannah provide support for Muslim families who have been bereaved following the death of a baby or child.
T: Go to childrenofjannah.com/contact to request a support call
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse provides telephone, email and website support for bereaved people, including children and young people.
To find a local Cruse branch go to www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/local-services
T: 0808 808 1677 (Helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, with extended hours until 8pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings)
Funeral Guide
Funeral Guide provides a series of guides about different types of religious funerals
www.funeralguide.co.uk/help-resources/arranging-a-funeral/religious-funerals
Grief Encounter
Grief Encounter supports bereaved children and their families through its ‘grieftalk’ helpline, instant chat, and email. It also provides training and resources for professionals supporting people after bereavement.
T: 0808 802 0111 (grieftalk helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm)
E: grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
Grief Encounter also offers an e-counselling service, which can include sessions delivered over Skype. For further information, email ecounselling@griefencounter.org.uk
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where young people can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone. The website provides information about services, a listening ear from other young people and advice for any young person dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service
The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service provides counselling to anyone in the Jewish community, including children and young people.
T: 0208 951 3881
Muslim Bereavement Support Service
The Muslim Bereavement Support Service provide free and confidential face-to-face and telephone support.
T: 020 3468 7333
National Autistic Society
Advice about how to support someone with autism after a death.
Nip in the Bud
Nip in the Bud encourages awareness about mental health disorders in young children. A series of films plus downloadable factsheets give information about the behaviours common in different conditions in children, along with explanations and information on how to follow up and get help.
Papyrus
National charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide. Papyrus provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person.
Sands – Stillbirth and neonatal death society
Sands provides bereavement support services nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups.
Survivors of bereavement by suicide
Support for people bereaved by suicide, and for the professionals who support them.
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish provides support to bereaved children, their families and professionals working with these groups. Winston’s Wish runs a helpline and email support service for young people.
T: 08088 020 021 (Helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
WAY Widowed & Young
UK charity that offers a peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday