How to Find and Access Bereavement Support Services Across the UK

Finding the Right Support After Losing Someone

When someone close to you dies, the grief can feel overwhelming. You don't have to face it alone. Across the UK, there are hundreds of organisations — many completely free — that offer practical help, emotional support, and a safe space to talk.

This guide walks you through the main bereavement support services available, how to access them, and what to expect.

NHS Bereavement Services

Your GP is often the best starting point. They can:

• Refer you to NHS-funded counselling
• Prescribe medication if grief is affecting your sleep or mental health
• Connect you to local bereavement services through social prescribing

Many NHS trusts also run dedicated bereavement teams, particularly within hospitals. If your loved one died in hospital, ask the ward staff about their bereavement support service before you leave — they can often arrange follow-up contact.

NHS Talking Therapies

Previously known as IAPT, NHS Talking Therapies offers free, evidence-based psychological support. You can self-refer in most areas — no GP referral needed. Waiting times vary, typically 4-8 weeks.

National Bereavement Charities

Cruse Bereavement Support

The UK's largest bereavement charity. Cruse offers:

• Free helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5pm; extended hours available)
• Online chat support via their website
• One-to-one counselling with trained volunteers
• Support groups in most regions

Visit cruse.org.uk to find services near you.

At a Loss

At a Loss is a bereavement signposting service that helps you find the right support based on your circumstances — who died, how they died, and where you live. Their directory is one of the most comprehensive in the UK.

The Good Grief Trust

Connects bereaved people with support services and campaigns for better bereavement care. Their website lists hundreds of local and national organisations.

Specialist Bereavement Support

Different types of loss often need different kinds of support:

Child Bereavement

• Child Bereavement UK (0800 02 888 40) — supports families when a child dies, and children who have been bereaved
• The Compassionate Friends — peer support from other bereaved parents
• Winston's Wish — specialist support for bereaved children and young people

Suicide Bereavement

• Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) — helpline, local groups, and online support
• Support After Suicide Partnership — resources and local service directory

Baby Loss

• Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) — helpline 0808 164 3332
• Tommy's — support for anyone affected by pregnancy loss
• The Miscarriage Association — helpline 01924 200 799

Military Bereavement

• SSAFA — support for Armed Forces families
• The Royal British Legion — practical and emotional support

Financial Help During Bereavement

Grief often comes with unexpected costs. Several sources of financial support exist:

Bereavement Support Payment

If your spouse or civil partner has died, you may be entitled to Bereavement Support Payment from the DWP — a tax-free lump sum of up to £3,500 plus monthly payments for up to 18 months.

Funeral Expenses Payment

If you're on certain benefits and responsible for funeral costs, you can apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment to help cover burial or cremation fees and up to £1,000 for other costs.

Charitable Grants

Many charities offer one-off grants to bereaved families in financial difficulty. Turn2us (turn2us.org.uk) has a grants search tool that can help you find what's available.

Workplace Support

Your employer should provide reasonable time off following a bereavement. Since April 2020, all employees in the UK have a legal right to two weeks' paid leave following the death of a child under 18 (Parental Bereavement Leave).

For other bereavements, there's no statutory entitlement, but most employers offer compassionate leave. Check your contract or speak to HR.

Many larger employers also offer Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) that include free counselling sessions — often available within days rather than weeks.

Online and Digital Support

If face-to-face support isn't right for you, there are good online options:

• Cruse online chat — real-time support via their website
• Griefchat (griefchat.co.uk) — free online chat with bereavement counsellors
• The Grief Network — online peer support community
• Reddit r/GriefSupport — anonymous peer community

What to Expect from Bereavement Counselling

If you've never had counselling before, it's natural to feel uncertain. Here's what typically happens:

1. Initial assessment — a conversation about your loss and what support you need
2. Regular sessions — usually weekly, lasting 50-60 minutes
3. Safe space — everything you share is confidential
4. No pressure — you go at your own pace

Counselling isn't about "getting over" your loss. It's about finding ways to carry your grief that don't overwhelm you.

Getting Started

The hardest step is often the first one. If you're not sure where to begin:

1. Talk to your GP — they can point you to local services
2. Call Cruse on 0808 808 1677 — they'll listen without judgement
3. Visit At a Loss — their directory helps match you with the right support
4. Try GetPassage — our free tool helps you manage the practical tasks after a death, so you can focus on what matters most

You don't need to have it all figured out. You just need to reach out.

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If you're in crisis, contact Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258.