Support and guidance

Bereavement support and practical guidance

Losing someone to Covid-19 can have a lasting emotional and practical impact. These organisations provide bereavement support, peer support and guidance on the practical steps that can follow a death.

These services are independent of CBFJ. Please check each organisation’s website for current opening hours, eligibility and availability.

Need to talk to someone now?

Samaritans are available day and night

Call free on 116 123 to speak to someone who will listen without judgement. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.

Bereavement support

Specialist support for grief, alongside help finding a service that suits your circumstances, location or needs.

Cruse Bereavement Support

Free bereavement helplines and support from trained volunteers. Cruse Scotland is a separate service with its own number.

AtaLoss

A UK-wide directory of bereavement services, searchable by location, age, circumstances of death and type of support.

Free online counsellor chat, Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm

Children and young people

Specialist support for bereaved children, young people, parents, carers and families.

Child Bereavement UK

Free UK-wide online support for bereaved children and young people aged 25 and under, and parents or carers whose baby or child has died or is expected to die.

Phone, live chat, email and text or WhatsApp, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm

Grief Encounter

Advice and support for bereaved children and young people. Its specialist therapeutic services support eligible people aged 4 to 25 in England and Wales following the death of a parent, sibling or main carer.

Support line, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm

Peer support

Communities where people can meet others who have experienced a similar bereavement.

Let’s Talk About Loss

In-person and online meet-ups for bereaved people aged 18 to 35. The groups are peer support rather than therapy or professional counselling.

Ages 18 to 35, local and online meet-ups

WAY Widowed and Young

A UK peer-support network for anyone who was aged 50 or under when their partner died. Support is available online and in person.

Annual membership costs £30, financial help may be available

Practical and legal guidance

Official information about grief, registering a death, benefits, estates, investigations and inquests.

INQUEST handbook

A free guide to investigation and inquest procedures for bereaved families and friends. The handbook covers the process in England and Wales.

INQUEST’s advice service focuses on deaths involving the state

CBFJ does not provide medical, legal or financial advice.