Charities and support groups can offer indispensable help and advice at a time when you may feel lost, or are struggling to cope with the loss of a family member or close friend. Here we have a list, not comprehensive by any means, but big and varied enough for you hopefully to find the information or support you may be seeking, or at least get redirected to the relevant organisation. Some of these groups are national, whilst others are run by a few volunteers. They are all relevant in some way to this site, and so can hopefully be of use.
Age Concern www.helptheaged.org.uk
A charity offering information for the elderly and their carers, including advice, support on issues such as bereavement and making a will.
Alzheimer’s Society www.alzheimers.org.uk
Association for Children with Life-Threatening Terminal Conditions and Their Families (ACT) www.act.org.uk
Benefits Agency www.dwp.gov.uk Find local office in local phone directory under Social Security or Benefits Agency.
Brake www.brake.org.uk This road safety charity runs a helpline (0845 603 8570) for anyone bereaved as a result of a road crash.
British Association for Counselling www.counselling.co.uk
British Humanist Association www.humanism.org.uk
Information on non-religious funerals, including suggested readings and pieces of music. Can also provide an officiant.
Cancer BACUP (British Association of Cancer Unit Patients) www.cancerbackup.org.uk
National charity providing information and counselling for people with cancer, their families and friends. Now merged with Macmillan
Cancer Relief Macmillan Fund www.macmillan.org.uk
The fund provides financial assistance for some cancer patients and helps fund organisations caring for cancer patients. Macmillan nurses can help with emotional support, pain and symptom control.
The Child Bereavement Charity www.childbereavement.org.uk
Provides support to families and professionals when a child dies or when a child is bereaved of someone important in their lives.
Child Death Helpline www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Telephone helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child, from pre-birth to the death of an adult child, however long ago, and whatever the circumstances.
Citizens Advice Bureau www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Free, impartial and confidential advice about death, bereavement and financial matters.
The Compassionate Friends www.tcf.org.uk
An organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children.
Counselling-Directory www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Provides the UK with a counselling support network, enabling those in distress (such as bereavement) to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs.
Cruse Bereavement Care www.cruse.org.uk
The largest bereavement support organisation for both adults and children in the UK. They provide one-to-one support to anyone who has suffered bereavement, together with a telephone helpline (0844 477 9400).
Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland www.crusescotland.org.uk
Provides similar support to Cruse in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young www.c-r-y.org.uk
Raises awareness of conditions that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS, SADS).
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) www.sids.org.uk
Information and support to families and professionals as well as fund-raising for cot death research.
Help the Aged www.helptheaged.org.uk
A charity offering information for the elderly and their carers, including advice, support on issues such as bereavement and making a will.
London Bereavement Network www.bereavement.org.uk
Supports and links London bereavement services.
Marie Curie Cancer Care www.mariecurie.org.uk
Its’ web pages for patients, carers and families provide information sheets and booklets to support people through illness or bereavement, as well as links to other useful websites.
Memorial Arts Charity www.memorialartscharity.org.uk
Offers help and advice on any aspect of commissioning a unique memorial for churchyard, cemetery, garden or public space.
Miscarriage Association www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Support, information and comfort are provided for those who have been affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy, whether recently or long ago.
Natural Death Centre www.naturaldeath.org.uk
An educational charity founded in 1991 to parallel the natural childbirth movement. The Centre wants to make death and dying an unexceptional topic for daily meditation and conversation. It provides advice and information and acts as a consumers association. It publishes a wide number of publications, including the invaluable New Natural Death Handbook.
Samaritans www.samaritans.org.uk
Provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support 24 hours a day to people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Email: jo@samaritans.org Phone: 08457 90 90 90
SAMM – Support After Murder and Manslaughter www.samm.org.uk
Supporting those who have been bereaved as a result of murder or manslaughter, through a telephone helpline (0845 872 3440), information and other activities, including local groups.
Sand Rose www.sandrose.org.uk
Provides a place where bereaved families can start to rebuild their lives. It offers a quiet, peaceful haven where families can be independent but know that they are in a suitable environment. The project, which works in collaboration with local and national bereavement organisations, extends to anyone who has experienced bereavement, although there is a particular emphasis on young families.
SANDS – Still and Neonatal Death Charity www.sands.org.uk
Offers support when your baby dies during pregnancy or after birth.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (previously known as SOBS) www.uk-sobs.org.uk
Providing help and support to those bereaved by the suicide of a relative or close friend. They provide information, a helpline and other activities, including local groups and events throughout the UK.
Tamba bsg – Twin and Multiple Birth Association www.tamba-bsg.org.uk
Bereavement support group supporting parents who have lost a baby or babies during a multiple pregnancy or at any stage after birth.
Terrance Higgins Trust www.tht.org.uk
Registered charity providing information and help on AIDS and HIV infection.
Voluntary Euthanasia Society www.ves.org.uk
Formerly Exit, the society pioneered the Living Will in the UK.
WAY (Widowed and Young) Foundation www.wayfoundation.org.uk
Providing support, advice and friendship to those who have been bereaved of a partner under the age of 50.
Winston’s Wish www.winstonswish.org.uk
Leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK. It offers the widest range of practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals, through individual, group and residential settings, via a national Helpline (08452 03 04 05), an interactive website and publications.