EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE
The Samaritans
24 hour helpline support every day of the year for anyone in distress including those who are feeling suicidal.
T: 08457 90 90 90
W:http://www.samaritans.org/
NHS Direct
T: 0845 4647
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
24 access to health advice
NHS Choices
W: http://www.nhs.uk/
Gives access to find NHS services including hospitals and local doctors and helpful information on a huge variety of health related topics.
PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL SUPPORT
ALL AGE
Cruse Bereavement Care
Day by day helpline: 0844 477 9400 Mon-Fri 0930-1700
Day by day email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Young Person's helpline: 0808 808 1677
W: http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk/
Provides one-to-one and other support to the bereaved organised through local branches - find your local branch number on the website.
Information about bereavement and other issues on helpline and excellent bookshop on the website.
DEATH OF A CHILD and/or CHILDREN AFFECTED BY A DEATH
Child Bereavement Charity
T: 01494 446648 for the Information & Support Team
W: http://www.childbereavement.org.uk/
A charity that has a dual focus of training professionals who work with families and children affected by a death who also produce excellent resources that can be used by those who are bereaved.
Child Death Helpline
T: 0800 282986
Mon-Fri 1000-1300, Weds only 1300-1600
Every day 1900-2200
W:http://www.childdeathhelpline.org/
Helpline support for anyone affected by the death of a child, irrespective of the age of the child, the relationship or the length of time since the death.
Provided by Great Ormond Street and Royal Liverpool Children's Hospitals
Winston's Wish
Helpline: 08452 03 04 05
W: http://www.winstonswish.org.uk/
Gives support for those caring for children affected by the death of a parent or a sibling and to the children themselves. Has excellent resources.
Compassionate Friends
T: 0845 123 2304
Every day of the year 1000-1600 and 1830-2230
W: http://www.tcf.org.uk/
Support by telephone, befriending and local groups for anyone affected by the death of a child.
Please note that this charity supports people irrespective of the age of the child at the time of death i.e. the child may have reached adulthood.
OTHER SPECIALIST SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project
T: 020 7403 5969 Mon/Tues/Thurs 1900-2230
Support for gay men and lesbians expecting or anticipating bereavement and also for their families and friends.
Macmillan CancerLine
T: 0808 808 2020
Textphone: 0808 808 0121
Macmillan Youthline (for ages 12-21): 0808 808 0800
All lines Mon- Fri 0900-2100
W: http://www.macmillan.org.uk/
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer whether they have been diagnosed themselves or are a family member, carer or friend.
The Way Foundation
T: 0870 011 3450
W: http://www.wayfoundation.org.uk/
Support and friendship for the bereaved whose partners have died at ages under 50.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
T: 0844 561 6855 0900-2100 every day
W: http://www.uk-sobs.org.uk/
A self help organisation which exists to meet the needs of those bereaved by the suicide of a family member or anyone close to them.
FIND A COUNSELLOR
British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Professional association and accrediting body for counsellors.
W: http://www.bacp.co.uk/ includes a 'Find a Counsellor' section
T; 0870 443 5252 Mon - Fri 0845-1700
Association of Christian Counsellors
Association and accrediting body for counsellors working from a specifically Christian perspective. Includes 'Find a Counsellor' on the link
W: http://www.acc-uk.org/pages/1420.htm
T: 0845 124 9569 or 0845 124 9570
DEATH OF A PET
The Blue Cross
T:0800 966606
W: http://www.bluecross.org.uk/
Telephone and email support following the loss of a companion animal.
PRACTICAL ISSUES
The Bereavement Register
T: 0870 600 7222
W: www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk/
Providing details of the person who has died to the Bereavement Register helps to prevent direct mailing of advertising material.
Citizens Advice
W: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/
Advice is not available from a national number. This site gives information and links to local Citizens Advice Bureaux
Directgov - public services all in one place
W: http://www.direct.gov.uk/
Official portal to UK national and local government services
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
T: 0845 850 2829
W: http://www.fco.gov.uk/ follow links to Travelling & Living Abroad - contact us
Government number for advice for deaths overseas or contacting relatives known to be overseas about a death in the UK. See website for numbers for contact details for individual embassies.
Probate Helpline
T: 0800 013 2014
Provided by itc Legal Services to give information about probate.
FUNERALS
Institute of Civil Funerals
T: 0845 004 8608
W: http://www.iocf.org.uk/
Trains, regulates and can provide details of civil funeral celebrants.
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
T: 0845 230 1343
W: http://www.nafd.org.uk/
Largest professional association of funeral directors with Code of Practice and Arbitration Scheme.
British Humanist Association
T: 020 7079 3580
W: http://www.humanism.org.uk/
Provides information on and officiants for non-religious funerals
Natural Death Centre
T: 0871 288 2098
W: http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/
Information on 'green' funerals .