Information, Resources and Support

Losing a loved one is one of the most traumatic experiences that will happen to you. It throws everything in your life upside down and your life will never be the same again. The first few days and weeks will pass in a blur whilst you register the death, organise the funeral, fill out endless amounts of paperwork as well as dealing with the grief and disbelief of other people too. Although you won’t feel up to it, it is so important to look after yourself properly ensuring you eat regularly and sleep. Ask your friends or family to help, make a list of things that need to be done

Three practical things that will need doing in the first few days:

Get a medical certificate from doctor/hospital
Register the death within five days – you’ll then receive the documents that you will need to arrange the funeral and for other paperwork
Arrange the funeral www.gov.uk/after-a-death/arrange-the-funeral www.gov.uk/funeral-payements

Download our Bereavement Support booklet by clicking here.

Grief can be an isolating and frightening experience. The griever may experience strong and varying emotions, some unlike anything they have felt before. Grief is an intensely personal process, but it can sometimes be comforting to know there are similarities in the ways people experience grief.

Knowing other people have been there before and got through it, and you are not ‘going mad’, can be very helpful. Feeling these things, and indeed asking for help, are not a sign of being weak or not coping. Grief is unavoidable, but it can become manageable over time. Grief reactions can range from strong emotions to physical reactions to behavioural actions. All are normal, even common, though it is important to get any physical aches and pains checked out with your GP.

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Your feelings: ‘My feelings are all over the place and I feel like I have no purpose, is this normal?’

Your thoughts & cognitive reactions: ‘I am struggling to concentrate and am feeling insecure why is this?’

Your physical reactions ‘Since my loved one died, I have been exhausted and seem to be suffering with aches and pains is this normal?

Your actions: ‘Every time I speak or think about my loved one I end up crying, will this get better?’

How long will it last?

While grieving a loss is an inevitable part of life, there are ways to help cope with the pain, come to terms with your grief and eventually, find a way to pick up the pieces and move on with your life

• Acknowledge your pain.
• Accept that grief can trigger many different & unexpected emotions.
• Understand that your grieving process will be unique to you.
• Seek out face-to-face support from people who care about you.
• Support yourself emotionally by taking care of yourself physically.
• Recognise the difference between grief and depression.

Download our Bereavement Help Point leaflet here

Download our Top Ten Trys leaflet here

My friend has lost a loved one and I’m not sure of the right thing to say or do….

It can be a difficult and emotional time supporting someone who has been bereaved. Your instinct is to make things better and it can be frustrating when you can’t, or when your friend or family member is reacting in a way you don’t really understand. The main way to support someone who has been bereaved is simply to be there for them and to let them know you are there. Bereaved people can often feel quite isolated, especially after the funeral and once a few weeks or months have passed, when support tends to drop off. At this time, it can seem to the bereaved person that everyone else has moved on from the loss and that they are left to cope with it on their own. Having someone to talk to and offer practical and emotional support can feel invaluable.

How much a bereaved person wants to talk about their loss or the person who has died will depend on them as an individual and where they are at in their grief. Some people may want to talk about how they are feeling, while others may wish to reminisce about the deceased or swap memories of them with you. Some people may prefer to talk about anything but their loss. It is not uncommon to want to talk one day then avoid the subject the next. Take your cue from the person you are supporting.

Be sensitive to your friend or relative, but don’t be overly afraid of upsetting them. The chances are they are already upset and relish the chance to talk. It can be very painful when an acquaintance avoids the subject, or even avoids the bereaved person altogether, so just knowing you are willing to listen may be enough to help them feel less alone.

Download our leaflet by clicking here

Download our Support Directory booket by clicking here.