Help with bereavement
There are a number of organisations which may be able to offer you support if you have been touched personally by suicide, which are listed further down this page.
HELPFUL RESOURCES
General information is available from GOV.UK regarding what to do after a death.
Help Is At Hand is an NHS resource for people bereaved by suicide or apparent suicide. Help Is At Hand has also been produced by Public Health Wales and is available in English and Welsh versions.
The Coroners’ Courts Support Service can offer practical and emotional support before and during a Coroners Inquest
Guide To Coroner Services (England & Wales) This booklet is for you if someone close to you has died and their death has been reported to the coroner. The law states that certain types of deaths have to be notified to a coroner. Many people find it helpful to have information in a written format as well as being given information face to face or over the phone. You may also find this information helpful if you are called as a witness at an inquest or are interested in the coronial process. This booklet is issued under section 42 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009. It is guidance and does not cover every possible situation that may arise. Please be aware that in most legal situations a person who has died is referred to as the deceased. This convention has been used in this booklet. Coroners and their staff understand that the person who has died was a unique individual.
Coroner Investigations (A Short guide)
INQUEST Advice to bereaved families facing an inquest.
Organisations that can help
See also the Support After Suicide Partnership website, which offers a range of information for people who have been affected by a suicide. It highlights which services can offer support to people who have been bereaved by suicide as well as advice around some of the practical issues that arise.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) Support, information, help by email, support groups and a national helpline: 0300 111 5065, 9am-9pm Monday-Friday.
The Compassionate Friends Support for all families bereaved after the death of a child or children: 0345 123 2304, open 10am-4pm, 7pm-10pm daily.
If U Care Share Foundation Support for families affected by suicide. Based in Co Durham. Phone: 0191 387 5661
Cruse Bereavement Care Help for anyone experiencing bereavement to understand their grief and cope with their loss, with free and confidential support. Helpline: 0808 808 1677, open Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5pm, Weekends 10am – 2pm.
Widowed and Young (WAY) Social and support network for widowed men and women under 50.
Childhood Bereavement Network Database of information about sources of support for bereaved children.
Child Bereavement UK Support and advice for bereaved families. Helpline 0800 02 888 40, open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
Grief Encounter Mission: every bereaved child and their family in the UK get the best possible help, recognition and understanding following their loss. Monday-Friday 9 am-9pm Helpline: 0808 802 0111
Winston’s Wish Practical support for bereaved children, young people and their families, publications. Helpline: 08088 020 021, open Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm.
