When somebody close to you dies, it can be helpful to get advice and support to help you deal your loss. You can seek practical help from the funeral directors involved, or from your family doctor. If you need more guidance or support, though, there are agencies that can help.
There are lots of people and organisations who can help you get through the weeks, months and years following a death. You can ask for practical help and advice about what happens next and what you need to do from your solicitor, a trusted religious counsellor, or social services.
If health visitors or district nurses worked with the person who died, they may also be able to help. If the person died in a hospital, staff there can sometimes give you practical advice about what to expect.
It can help to talk with someone sympathetic, who understands what you're going through. You can check the websites of the organisations and charities listed below for basic information about what they do, and for national contact numbers. Please note that we do not accept any responsibility in relation to these Organisations or Charities.
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Cruse Bereavement Care works with and supports people who have been bereaved. It focuses on helping them understand their grief, and cope with their loss. Its services are free.
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Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year we train almost 7000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families.
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Age Concern is a national charity focused on helping and supporting the elderly. It can offer practical advice on what you need to do when someone close to you dies. It can help you find out how to go about registering a death, arranging a funeral and sorting out financial matters.
- The Samaritans offer confidential, non-judgemental support through a telephone help line. The line is available 24 hours a day, and is for people who are experiencing severe distress or despair. It can offer help to those with problems so severe they are considering suicide. It also offers support through emails, letters and face-to-face meetings.
Further information on What to do after a death
Useful Numbers
Astral House, 1268 London Road, London, SW16 4ER
Free Helpline: 0800 009966
73 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 4PN
Tel: 0207 631 0280
Email: info@arc-uk.org
Ullswater House, Solihull Hospital, Lode Lane, Solihull, B91 2JL
Telephone: 0121 424 5103
Cruse House, PO Box 800, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1RG
Telephone: 0208 939 9530
Artillery House, 11-19 Artillery Row, London, SW1P 1RT
Telephone: 020 7233 2090
Association of Funeral Directors, 111-117 Lancaster Road, London, W11 1QT
Telephone: 020 7403 5969
C/O Clayton Hospital, Northgate, West Yorkshire, WF1 3JS
Telephone: 01924 200 799
Email: info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk
13 Bow Street, Birmingham, B1 1DW
Telephone: 0121 666 6644
28 Portland Place, London, W1B 1LY
Telephone: 020 7436 5881
Email: helpline@uk-sands.org
21 Harrowfield Road, Stechford, Birmingham, B33 9BU
Telephone: 0121 783 1860
32 South Street, Harbourne, Birmingham, B17 0DB
Telephone: 0121 427 1304
Unit G7, The Arch, 48-52 Floodgate Street, Birmingham, B5 5SL
Telephone: 0121 694 6440
Email: info.birmingham@tht.org.uk
Gardner Road, Guildford, GU1 4PG
Telephone: 0800 138 0509
C/O 48 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5JY
Telephone: 0845 2412 189
C/O 60 Rocks Park, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 2AX
Telephone: 01825 765 084 (Evenings only)