Useful Contacts

There are so many organisations that provide invaluable information and support to people affected by bereavement. Some serve a specific geographical area or people affected by a particular type of death. To avoid this page becoming just another phone directory  we have given details of just a selection below.

If you call us on 0800 634 9494, we will look for the organisation best suited to your own individual circumstances.

Please be aware that some of these organisations are staffed by volunteers and may provide an answer-machine service at times.

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: www.samaritans.org

Medical Emergencies - dial 999

Medical advice in a non-emergency situation - dial 111

NHS Choices
W: 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

Website address: www.cruse.org.uk

National email support service: helpline@cruse.org.uk

National helpline number: 0808 808 1677

Helpline opening hours: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm (excluding bank holidays) with extended hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays to 8pm

Young People's website: hopeagain.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 BABY or CHILD and/or CHILDREN AFFECTED BY A DEATH

Miscarriage Association
T: 01924 200799
W: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Originally founded by people who had experienced miscarriage it continues to provide support and encourage good care by professionals.

Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS)
T: 0808 164 3332
E: helpline@uk-sands.org
W: www.uk-sands.org
Welcomes calls from anyone affected by a stillbirth or a baby, family, friends or professionals including long after the event.

Child Bereavement UK
T: 0800 028 8840 for the Information & Support Team
W: www.childbereavement.org.uk
A charity that has a dual focus of training professionals who work with families and children affected by a death which also produces excellent resources that can be used by those who are bereaved. This includes families and professionals supporting children affected by the death of an adult or anyone affected by the death of a child.

Child Death Helpline
T: 0800 282986
Mon-Fri 1000-1300, Weds only 1300-1600
Every day 1900-2200
W: 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: 08088 020021
W: 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. 

TCF (formerly The Compassionate Friends)
T: 0845 123 2304 
Every day of the year 1000-1600 and 1830-2230
W: 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.

Childhood Bereavement Network
T: 020 7843 6309
W: childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
Although this organisation is mainly a professional network their website has a good search facility on its front page to allow you to find support services for children in your local area.

CARERS

Carers Trust
The new organisation for carers formed by the merging of Crossroad Care and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. (The Princess Royal Trust for Carers is still the title in Scotland).
W: click here for the page to find support in your area
T: If you cannot find what you want on the website call this number: 0800 800 4361

OTHER SPECIALIST SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS

London Friend
LGBT Bereavement Helpline
T: 0300 330 0630 Tues 1930-2130
W: www.londonfriend.org.uk
Support for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people expecting or experiencing bereavement and also for their families and friends.

Macmillan Cancer Support
T: 0808 808 0000
Mon- Fri 0900-2100
W: 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.

Way Foundation (Widowed And Young)
W: www.wayfoundation.org.uk
Provides a self help network across the UK to those who are bereaved through losing their partner/spouse when aged 50 or under, together with their children.

Way Up
E: info@way-up.co.uk
T: www.way-up.co.uk
The organisation that has grown out of WAY (above) for people in their 50's and 60's

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
T: 0300 111 5065 Lines are open 0900-2100 every day
W: 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: www.bacp.co.uk includes a 'Find a Counsellor' section
T: 01455 883300, Mon - Fri 0845-1700

DEATH OF A PET

The Blue Cross
T: 0800 096 6606 Everyday 0830-2030
W: www.bluecross.org.uk
Telephone and email support following the loss of a companion animal.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

Citizens Advice
W: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Advice is not available from a national number. This site gives information and links to local Citizens Advice Bureaux.

GOV.UK - public services all in one place
W: www.gov.uk
Official portal to UK national and local government services.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
T: 020 7008 1500
W: 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.

Money Advice Service
T: 0800 138 7777
W: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk
Clear unbiased information to help you manage your money better.

Specialist cleaning services
Please call us for details of companies nearest to your area.

FirstStop Advice
W: www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk
FirstStop Advice is an independent, free service providing advice and information for older people, their families and carers about care and housing options in later life. FirstStop also offers useful information for carers looking for support and advice.

Both of these organisations below  can help prevent unwanted mail to the deceased:

The Bereavement Register
T: 0800 082 1230
W: www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk

Deceased Preference Service
T: 0800 068 44 33
W: www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk

FUNERALS

Institute of Civil Funerals
T: 01480 861411
W: 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: www.nafd.org.uk
Largest professional association of funeral directors with Code of Practice and Arbitration Scheme.

British Humanist Association
T: 020 7324 3060
W: click here for the relevant page on the website
Provides information on and officiants for non-religious funerals.

Natural Death Centre
T: 01962 712690
W: www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Information on 'green' funerals and arranging a funeral yourself.

Funeral Map
T: 0330 223 0279
W: www.funeralmap.co.uk

Please be aware that inclusion of an organisation in this list does not constitute an endorsement of their services. 

⇦ Unanswered questions and complaints Who's who after a death ⇨