Free books to help adults and children cope with a sudden bereavement

Service update

Due to funding pressures, the Sudden service is now closed.

If you are bereaved and in crisis, please use the resources on our website or call The Samaritans on 116 123.  Please contact your GP directly if you require any immediate support and in case of an emergency, please call 999.

If you are a professional or community organisation in contact with bereaved people in the first days of their bereavement, we can provide you with free support books to help adults and children cope with their grief. To order free support books, please click here.

Anyone can donate to Sudden to help us care for more people by clicking here.

When someone you love dies suddenly – book for adults

This book by Sudden is for people who have suffered the shattering experience of a loved one dying suddenly.

It aims to help you understand emotions and feelings commonly suffered. It provides straightforward advice on how to cope and who can help you to recover.

Click on the link below to download and read this book online.

Download this book

Someone has died suddenly – book for children

Acclaimed picture book for children to read with their carer when someone has died suddenly.

This book provides simple explanations of what happens after a sudden death, in language that children can easily understand.

Click on the link below to download and read this book online.

Download this book

Helping suddenly bereaved children

As a parent or carer, it can be particularly difficult to know what to say to bereaved children or how to behave around them.

This guide that accompanies the children’s book helps adults to provide support to bereaved children.

Click on the link below to download and read this book online.

Download this book

Our children’s support literature is kindly sponsored by
Co-op Funeralcare.