Bereavement Support Organisations
Bereavement & Wellbeing Support
If you or someone you love is finding things difficult, the organizations below offer free, confidential support. We've grouped UK and US resources separately so you can find help close to home.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
General Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support Supporting people who are having difficulty with grief, with a focus on helping families when a loved one passes away. Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk Phone: 0808 808 1677 Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Age UK Support for older people experiencing any form of grief — someone to speak with when things feel overwhelming. Email: contact@ageuk.org.uk Phone: 0800 678 1602 Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
Counselling Directory Connects you with qualified, professional counsellors for in-person or remote sessions. Phone: 0333 325 2500 Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
NHS Self Help A self-help guide with skills and tools to cope with bereavement and grief. Phone: 0800 030 8012 Website: www.nhsinform.scot
Natural Death Centre A charitable organization offering support around bereavement, including help with funeral arrangements. Email: rosie@naturaldeath.org.uk Phone: 01962 712690 Website: www.naturaldeath.org.uk
The Good Grief Trust Helps you find local support groups, with advice, pop-up cafés, and literature. Email: hello@thegoodgrieftrust.org Phone: 07864 820148 Website: www.thegoodgrieftrust.org
Grief Chat Instantly connects you with expert counsellors via online chat, and helps families create online memorials. Email: info@griefchat.co.uk Phone: 01524 889823 Website: www.griefchat.co.uk
Family & Child Bereavement (UK)
NHS — Grief after bereavement or loss Advice on coping with the loss of a loved one, plus stress management apps and techniques. Email: England.contactus@nhs.net Phone: 0300 311 22 33 Website: www.nhs.uk
Child Bereavement UK Support for families bereaved by the loss of a child, and for children coping with bereavement. Email: support@childbereavementuk.org Phone: 0800 028 8840 Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
The Compassionate Friends For families and individuals grieving the loss of a child. Retreats, local support, legal guidance. Email: helpline@tcf.org Phone: 0345 123 2304 Website: www.tcf.org.uk
The Lullaby Trust Supports families who have lost a child to sudden infant death syndrome. Email: support@lullabytrust.org.uk Phone: 0808 802 6869 Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk
The Loss Foundation Support for those who have lost a loved one to any form of cancer. Email: info@thelossfoundation.org Phone: 0300 200 4112 Website: www.thelossfoundation.org
Cruse Bereavement Care — Hope Again The youth arm of Cruse, with workshops and support for children and young people. Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk Phone: 0808 808 1677 Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk
Grief Encounter One-to-one sessions and retreats for bereaved children, young people, and parents. Email: grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk Phone: 0808 802 0111 Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
SLOW — Surviving the Loss of your World London-based support for bereaved siblings and parents, with workshops and regular meetings. Email: info@slowgroup.co.uk Phone: 07532 423674 Website: www.slowgroup.co.uk
Winston's Wish The UK's first charity for bereaved children, with online chats, an ASK email service, crisis messenger, and helpline. Email: ask@winstonswish.org Phone: 0808 802 0021 Website: www.winstonswish.org
A Child Of Mine Emotional support and a befriending service for bereaved parents, plus alternative therapies. Email: hello@achildofmine.org.uk Phone: 01785 283434 Website: www.achildofmine.org.uk
Child Death Helpline Volunteer-led support for bereaved parents. Email: contact@childdeathhelpline.org Phone: 0808 800 6019 Website: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
2 Wish Upon A Star Wales-based organization for families who have lost loved ones aged 25 or under, including memory box support and monthly events. Email: info@2wishuponastar.org Phone: 01443 853125 Website: www.2wishuponastar.org
The Twins Trust Bereavement Support Group A forum for parents bereaved by the loss of twins or triplets. Email: bereavementsupport@twinstrust.org Website: www.twinstrust.org/bereavement
Rosie Crane Trust A helpline for bereaved parents and families, plus a befriending service connecting parents with shared experiences. Email: contact@rosiecranetrust.co.uk Phone: 01460 55120 Website: www.rosiecranetrust.org
Mental Health Support (UK)
Samaritans 24/7 confidential support for anyone struggling to cope. Email: jo@samaritans.org Phone: 116 123 Website: www.samaritans.org
Mind Advice and signposting for anyone experiencing mental health difficulties. Email: info@mind.org.uk Phone: 0300 123 3393 Website: www.mind.org.uk
Breathing Space Scotland Free phone service for people struggling with anxiety or depression. Email: breathingspaceresources@nhs24.scot.nhs.uk Phone: 0800 83 85 87 Website: www.breathingspace.scot
Financial Support (UK)
Bereavement Benefits Government information on applying for financial support after a bereavement. Phone: 0800 731 0469 Website: www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/bereavement
Funeral Costs Help Breakdowns of the costs involved in organizing a funeral. Website: www.funeralcostshelp.co.uk
Other Avenues of Support (UK)
SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter) Peer support for families bereaved by manslaughter or murder. Email: info@samm.org.uk Phone: 0121 472 2912 Website: www.samm.org.uk
RoadPeace National charity supporting families bereaved or seriously injured by road accidents. Email: helpline@roadpeace.org Phone: 0845 450 0355 Website: www.roadpeace.org
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide Support for anyone bereaved by suicide, with resources and local groups. Email: email.support@uksobs.org Phone: 0300 111 5065 Website: www.uksobs.org
WAY (Widowed and Young) Forums and connection for young widows to share experiences. Phone: 07375 918599 Website: www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
The Jolly Dollies A social community for widows to reconnect, share experiences, and rebuild a social life. Email: contact@thejollydollies.com Website: www.thejollydollies.co.uk
🇺🇸 United States
General Bereavement Support
GriefShare Nationwide network of grief recovery support groups meeting in churches and community centers across the US, plus daily email encouragement and online resources. Phone: 1-800-395-5755 Website: www.griefshare.org
The Compassionate Friends (US) Nationwide support for families after the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild. Local chapters across all 50 states. Phone: 1-877-969-0010 Email: nationaloffice@compassionatefriends.org Website: www.compassionatefriends.org
Modern Loss Online community and resource hub providing candid, accessible content about grief and loss. Website: www.modernloss.com
What's Your Grief Practical articles, courses, and community for anyone navigating loss. Website: www.whatsyourgrief.com
Family & Child Bereavement (US)
The Dougy Center — The National Grief Center for Children & Families Support for children, teens, young adults, and their families coping with the death of someone close. Resources, training, and local center directory. Phone: 1-866-775-5683 Email: help@dougy.org Website: www.dougy.org
National Alliance for Children's Grief Network of professionals and organizations supporting grieving children, with a "Find Support" locator for programs across the US. Phone: 1-866-432-1542 Website: www.childrengrieve.org
First Candle Support for families who have lost a baby to SIDS, stillbirth, or other infant death. 24-Hour Grief Line: 1-800-221-7437 Email: info@firstcandle.org Website: www.firstcandle.org
MISS Foundation Counseling, support groups, education, and advocacy for families experiencing the death of a child. Website: www.missfoundation.org
Mental Health Support (US)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Free, confidential, 24/7 support for anyone in emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Call or text 988. Phone / Text: 988 Website: www.988lifeline.org
Crisis Text Line Free, 24/7 text-based mental health support. Text HOME to 741741. Website: www.crisistextline.org
SAMHSA National Helpline Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental health or substance use disorders. Phone: 1-800-662-4357 Website: www.samhsa.gov
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Helpline Free peer-support service providing information, resource referrals, and emotional support. Phone: 1-800-950-6264 Text: "HelpLine" to 62640 Website: www.nami.org
Specialized Loss Support (US)
TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) Support for families grieving the death of a military loved one. Phone: 1-800-959-8277 Website: www.taps.org
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention — Loss Survivor Support Support and resources for those bereaved by suicide. Website: www.afsp.org/ive-lost-someone
Bereaved Parents of the USA Peer support network for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings. Website: www.bereavedparentsusa.org
If you're in immediate crisis, please reach out: UK: Call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) US: Call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 24/7)