Bereavement support resources
Where you can find support after the death of a loved one.
After the death of a loved one, it might be helpful to read what to do when someone dies.
Where you can find support
Bereavement support services
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care is a charity which offers free information and advice to anyone who has been affected by a death. They also provide emotional support and counselling on a one-to-one basis and in groups.
If you live in Brighton & Hove (or surrounding areas) you can phone 01273 234 007, or send an email to Brighton@cruse.org.uk.
If you live in Eastbourne (or surrounding areas) you can phone 01323 642 942, or send an email to EastbourneBranch@cruse.org.uk.
Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish supports children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
You can phone the national helpline number on 08088 020 021.
Sands (neonatal and stillbirth death charity)
Sands provides support to parents and families whose baby is stillborn or dies soon after birth.
To get in touch with Sands, you can phone the helpline on 08081 643 332, or send an email to helpline@sands.org.uk.
UOK
UOK provides support for those bereaved by suicide (provided by Rethink Mental Illness).
For more information and to discuss accessing support that’s right for you, please phone 08081 961 768 for free.
Age UK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove - Bereavement Service
Age UK makes sure older people in Brighton & Hove are supported following the bereavement of their loved ones. Their bereavement service aims to offer free practical advice and emotional support.
Their Bereavement Navigators will support people aged 50+, living in Brighton and Hove who are experiencing loss, by providing practical advice as well as emotional support. The service is for anyone who needs it, regardless of time passed since their bereavement.
Do you need support?
Get in touch on 0800 019 1310 or email bereavement.service@ageukwsbh.org.uk
Martlets Hospice
Martlets bereavement service offers support to the family and friends of patients who have received care from Martlets - whether that's in the hospice itself or out in the community.
To get in touch with the Bereavement Team, please phone 01273 273 400 and ask to speak to the Patient and Family Support Administrator. Or you can send an email to bereavement@martlets.org.uk.
At a Loss.org
At a Loss.org has developed information and advice to support people who are bereaved during the coronavirus pandemic, including:
- ideas to help people feel less alone
- how you can help someone who has been bereaved
- advice on funerals and memorials
- supporting children
- useful contacts
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends provides volunteer peer support to bereaved parents and their families.
To get in touch, please phone 03451 232 304.
Health and Adult Social Care directory
The Health and Adult Social Care directory is an online directory, listing services and organisations in Brighton & Hove offering bereavement support.
NHS information and support
Find NHS information and support on bereavement.
Counselling Directory
The Counselling Directory is a support network which can help find a bereavement counsellor to help you cope with grief and adjust to life without your loved one.
Samaritans
Need support? The Samaritans are there to listen 24 hours, 365 days a year. Phone 116 123 for free.
Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Support
Sue Ryder’s Online Bereavement Support makes it easy to connect with the right support from your own home.
Whether you’re looking for one-to-one professional support, to talk to others in similar situations, or to read expert information resources, you can access support for free on your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Other support services in Brighton & Hove
The Ageing Well service
The Ageing Well service provides information and advice on local services and activities that can help support people aged 50 years and over to maintain their physical and emotional wellbeing.
To get in touch, you can phone or text 07770 061072, or send an email to ageingwellbh@impact-initiatives.org.uk.
Carers Hub
Providing information and support for all unpaid carers in Brighton & Hove.
The Carers Hub also offers carers who are looking after someone with a life-limiting illness or nearing the end of life, the opportunity to talk to a specialist Carers Support Worker about any issues they may be facing and have more on-going support.
Carers have the option to attend a specific monthly group offering peer support, information and activities.
To get in touch, please phone 01273 977 000, or send an email to info@carershub.co.uk.
LGBTQ Switchboard
The LGBTQ Switchboard is a support service for LGBTQ people looking for community, support or information.
To get in touch, phone the helpline 01273 204 050, or send an email to info@switchboard.org.uk.
The Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service
The Brighton & Hove Wellbeing Service is an NHS community-based service supporting children and adults in Brighton & Hove who have mild to moderate depression and anxiety.
To get in touch, please phone 03000 020 060, or send an email to bics.brighton-and-hove-wellbeing@nhs.net.
Advance planning and end of life care
Advance Care Plans
If you ever become too ill to answer for yourself, having an advance care plan in place can ensure that medical professionals, your family and carers are clear about what you want to happen in various situations, particularly if you became too unwell to talk. This will help you plan for your future treatment and care.
ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) is a process which creates a personalised recommendation for someone’s clinical care in emergency situations where they are not able to make decisions or express their wishes.
Read more about the Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment.
Once decided, arrange to see someone you know and trust at your GP surgery to discuss these wishes so they can be added to your online Summary Care Record.
Find out more about advance care plans.
The NHS Choices End of Life Care Guide
The NHS Choices End of Life Care Guide may be useful for people who are caring for someone who is dying, or for people who want to plan for their own end of life care.
Compassion in Dying: supporting your choices
If you have questions about your end-of-life rights, end-of-life care, Advance Decisions or Lasting Powers of Attorney, please phone 0800 999 2434 or send an email to info@compassionindying.org.uk.
Find out more about Compassion in Dying.