At Victoria Funeral Home, we understand that grief doesn’t end with the funeral service. The loss of someone close to you is a profound experience, and adjusting to life without them can take time. It’s not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, even long after the immediate flurry of activity surrounding arrangements has passed. Grief can resurface unexpectedly—on anniversaries, birthdays, or during everyday moments. If you’re navigating the complexities of grief, know that you’re not alone. While sharing your feelings with friends and family is invaluable, sometimes additional support can make a significant difference. Numerous organisations and resources are available to provide guidance, a listening ear, and connections to others experiencing similar emotions. There are many things that you might feel bombarded with, flowers, coffins, cremation or burial, what type of service and much more. Below, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to grief and bereavement support for individuals, families, and specific situations.

Understanding Grief

Grief is a natural response to loss, but it’s deeply personal and unique to each individual. It doesn’t follow a linear timeline, nor does it have a definitive endpoint. For many, the process includes:

Shock and disbelief: Especially when the death is sudden.
Sadness and longing: Missing the person’s presence.
Anger and guilt: Questioning what could have been done differently.
Acceptance and adaptation: Gradually finding ways to cope.

These feelings can ebb and flow, often influenced by life events, memories, or milestones. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a way to help navigate this challenging journey.

General Grief and Bereavement Support

The Good Grief Trust

The Good Grief Trust, run by bereaved individuals, offers an array of resources, including helplines, advice, and inspiring stories of resilience. Their goal is to connect people to others who truly understand the experience of loss.

Cruse Bereavement Support

Cruse provides personalised grief counselling through its 80+ local branches and a free helpline. Their counsellors offer empathetic guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.

Support for Families, Children, and Young People

Children and young people often process grief differently than adults. Specialised support can help them articulate their feelings and find comfort.

Winston’s Wish

Winston’s Wish focuses on supporting children and young people after the loss of a parent or sibling. They provide a helpline, email, online chat, and peer support groups for those under 25.

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK helps families cope when a child dies or is facing bereavement. Their programs include support groups for children and their families, as well as confidential one-on-one guidance.

The Compassionate Friends

This organisation provides support to bereaved parents and their families, creating a network of understanding and shared experiences.

Child Death Helpline

Staffed by trained volunteers who are themselves bereaved parents, the Child Death Helpline offers compassionate support and understanding to parents navigating unimaginable loss.

Support for Baby Loss, Miscarriage, and Stillbirth

Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy or shortly after birth is a heartbreaking experience. These organisations are dedicated to providing comfort and resources:

Sands

Sands supports families affected by the death of a baby, offering a bereavement app, national helpline, and local support groups. Their trained be-frienders and online forums provide safe spaces for grieving parents.

Tommy’s

Tommy’s offers resources for anyone experiencing pregnancy or baby loss, including those who have had to make difficult medical decisions.

The Lily Mae Foundation

Based in Warwickshire but accessible online, this foundation supports families dealing with stillbirth, neonatal death, miscarriage, or medical termination.

The Miscarriage Association

The Miscarriage Association provides a wealth of resources, including helplines, personal stories, and practical advice for navigating grief after miscarriage.

Bereavement Support Through Hospices

Hospices are more than places of care for the terminally ill—they also offer bereavement services for families and friends of those they have cared for. Their services often include:

One-on-one counselling.
Group support tailored for children.
Memorial events to honour loved ones.

Notable Hospice Resources

Hospice UK provides nationwide information on bereavement support.

Royal Trinity Hospice and Princess Alice Hospice extend support to anyone, even beyond those directly connected to the hospice.

St. Christopher’s Hospice offers community-based bereavement services.

Support After Suicide

Grieving after a suicide brings unique challenges, often marked by unanswered questions and complex emotions. Specialised organisations can provide essential support:

Support After Suicide Partnership

This group connects individuals to suicide bereavement organisations and offers practical advice and guidance for coping.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Run by individuals with firsthand experience, this organisation provides helplines, forums, and local support groups for those affected by suicide.

Specialist and Peer-Led Bereavement Support

Sometimes, finding a support group with a specific focus can be incredibly healing. Below are resources for targeted grief support:

The Good Grief Project

This initiative supports grieving families through creative retreats, films, and resources.

Care for the Family’s Widowed Young Support

Designed for widows under 50 or with dependent children, this programme offers befriending services and support days.

Strong Men

Strong Men provides one-on-one and group peer support tailored specifically for men.

Grief Encounters

A peer support group for LGBTQ+ individuals coping with loss, creating an inclusive and understanding space.

Goodness Gracious Grief

This group helps young people who have lost a sibling to connect and share their experiences.

Let’s Talk About Loss

This organisation runs meet-up groups for 18–35-year-olds dealing with bereavement, fostering community and mutual support.

Bereavement Support for Sudden Deaths

Sudden loss can be particularly traumatic, leaving little time to prepare emotionally. These organisations focus on providing immediate and long-term assistance:

Sudden offers information and resources for families affected by sudden death.
DrugFam supports individuals grieving deaths caused by drug, alcohol, or gambling addiction.
Brake and RoadPeace provide guidance for those impacted by road traffic deaths.

Local and Community-Based Bereavement Support

In addition to national resources, local organisations and faith-based groups often provide personalised bereavement support. For example:

Space2grieve offers free, confidential one-on-one support for residents of Richmond borough.
Check your area for faith communities or local bereavement counselling services.

Coping with Grief in Daily Life

Adjusting to everyday routines after losing someone can feel overwhelming. Simple tasks like cooking, commuting, or socialising may suddenly feel exhausting. It’s important to give yourself permission to move at your own pace, without pressure to “get back to normal” quickly. Some people find comfort in creating small rituals—lighting a candle, journaling, or walking in nature—as ways to process emotions. Others benefit from setting gentle daily goals to maintain structure. Incorporating self-care practices, such as eating nourishing meals and getting enough rest, can help stabilise your mood during difficult days. Remember, grief is not a problem to solve but an ongoing journey to navigate. Surrounding yourself with supportive people and seeking help when needed can make each day a little more manageable.

When Professional Counselling Can Help

While friends and family are invaluable sources of comfort, there are times when professional guidance can provide deeper support. Bereavement counsellors are trained to help you explore complex emotions, work through guilt or regret, and develop coping strategies tailored to your situation. If you find your grief is affecting your ability to function, or if you’re experiencing prolonged sadness, anxiety, or isolation, it might be time to consider counselling. Sessions can be one-on-one, in a group, or even online, making them accessible no matter your circumstances. Many charities and hospices offer free or low-cost services. A professional counsellor can provide a safe, non-judgmental space to process your loss, giving you tools to carry forward while honouring the memory of your loved one.

Helping a Friend or Family Member Through Grief

Supporting someone who is grieving can be challenging—you may worry about saying the wrong thing or overstepping boundaries. Often, simply being present is the most valuable gift you can give. Offer practical help, such as preparing meals, running errands, or accompanying them to appointments. Listen without rushing to offer solutions, and avoid minimising their loss by comparing it to other experiences. Grief can be isolating, so check in regularly, even weeks or months after the funeral. Remember that anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays can be especially difficult; a simple message or visit during these times can mean a great deal. By offering consistent, compassionate support, you can help them feel less alone as they navigate their unique path through loss.

Online and Digital Bereavement Communities

For some, connecting with others online can be an important part of healing. Digital bereavement communities provide 24/7 access to peer support, allowing you to share your experiences with people who truly understand. Many platforms host moderated discussion boards, virtual support groups, and live chats, giving you the flexibility to engage when you feel ready. Social media groups and dedicated apps, such as those run by Sands or The Good Grief Trust, can also help you find understanding friends across the country or even globally. While online spaces should not replace professional help if needed, they can offer valuable companionship and reassurance. Joining these communities can remind you that, even in the quiet moments of grief, you are never truly alone.

Finding Strength in Community

Grieving is not something you have to endure in isolation. By reaching out to these resources, you can find solace, understanding, and tools to navigate your unique path through loss. Whether you prefer group support, individual counselling, or creative retreats, there are options to suit every need. At Victoria Funeral Home, we’re here to support you, not just on the day of the funeral but in the months and years that follow. Our dedicated team can connect you with these resources and provide additional guidance. You don’t have to face grief alone—help is always available. If you need further assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Together, we can find the support that feels right for you.

Resources for Grief and Bereavement Support