Bereavement
Bereavement and Emotional Support
Losing someone can feel overwhelming, and it’s completely normal to need support. Below is a gentle overview of different organisations that can offer emotional help, practical guidance, and bereavement support in a way that suits you whether that’s over the phone, online, or in person.
Support Organisations which offer bereavement support
Most people experience grief when they lose something or someone important to them. If these feelings are affecting your life, there are things you can try that may help.
Cruse is a national charity that supports anyone who has been bereaved. They can talk with you about the type of help that may be most suitable for you.
At a Loss helps you find the right bereavement support by signposting to organisations across the UK. They also offer access to a bereavement counsellor through a live webchat service.
The Good Grief Trust is run by the bereaved, for the bereaved. They help those bereaved from day one, acknowledge their grief and provide reassurance, a virtual hand of friendship and ongoing support.
Marie Curie's Bereavement Support Service
The bereavement service is for people who might want to have ongoing support, from the same bereavement volunteer, over the phone. Whether your bereavement was expected, happened recently or was some time ago, they can help. They can also support you before your loved one dies.
Marigold Café - bereavement support
The cafe is for anyone bereaved to come together in a supportive and caring environment following the death of a loved one.
Adult local and national contacts
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
www.calderdalecab.org.uk (Calderdale)
https://kcalc.org.uk (Kirklees)
0300 330 9048 (Calderdale)
0808 278 7896 (Kirklees)
The Kirkwood Hospice
For relatives/carers of people known to The Kirkwood services.
Pre- and post-bereavement support. Bereavement support groups every Tuesday (alternative bereaved/newly bereaved sessions) see website for details
01484 557910 - The Kirkwood Counselling team
SWYMHT Single point of access
24/7 Open access to mental health services
24/7 Helpline (Freefone)
https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/service-users-and-carers/in-crisis/
In Calderdale 24/7 open access to our mental health services:
Adults (aged 18 +) – 01924 316830
Children and young people (CAMHS) – 01422 300001
CAMHS crisis line – 8am-8pm 01484 343763
People with a learning disability – 07795 884879
Kirklees
In Kirklees 24/7 open access to our mental health services:
Adults (aged 18+) – 01924 316830
CAMHS crisis line – 8am-8pm 01484 343763
People with a learning disability – 01924 316714
Overgate Hospice
For relatives/carers of people known to Overgate or to Community Specialist Palliative Care team.
Contact Andy Thewlis (Patient and Family Support team lead) via switchboard 01422 379151
Andy Man’s Club
Support men who may be feeling suicidal https://andysmanclub.co.uk
Cancer bereavement support
Charity specialising in support for people bereaved by cancer
Email: hello@thelossfoundation.org
They are not a 24-hour service, but can be conntacted on 0300 200 4112.
They offer bereavement support to those grieving someone who died recently, or a long time ago.
Call 08450738699
Email: media@mariecurie.org.uk
They have resource available for organisations, support groups and individuals. Which contains information about other useful and relevant charities/bodies who offer help and support to people affected by a cancer diagnosis.
They can be contacted by email on hello@cancersupportuk.org or phone 020 3983 7616
Can be contacted 7 days a week. 8am - 8pm on 0808 808 0000
Child death helpline
Freefone service for all those affected by death of a child (any age, any circumstance, any time)
https://www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk/
0800 282 986
Our confidential helpline is open every day of the year.
Monday to Friday
10:00 to 13:00
Monday to Sunday
19:00 to 22:00
Cruse Bereavement Care
All bereaved people www.cruse.org.uk
0808 808 1677
Mon, Wednesday, Thursday & Fri 9.30am-5pm, Tues-1pm -8pm, Sat-Sun - closed
Good Grief Trust
Website with some good information and links to support videos. A map showing all support services in an area.
Source of information rather than offering direct support.
Maggie's
Maggie's is a charity that provides free expert care and support in centres across the UK and online.
Call: 0300 123 1801
Email: enquiries@maggies.org
Ruth Strauss Foundation
The Ruth Strauss Foundation has joined forces with Maggie’s – the national cancer charity.
They help parents and caregivers tell their children about their incurable cancer.
Samaritans
24 hour helpline for anyone in distress
24 hrs a day, 365 days a year
Telephone:116 123
SANDS (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society)
Sands works to support parents of babies who die before, during or within a month or so of birth.
Tel: 0808 1643332
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Talkthru
Talk Thru is based in Huddersfield and support people across Kirklees, Calderdale and surrounding areas since 1999.
They provide confidential, non-judgemental counselling for people affected by baby loss, pregnancy loss, birth trauma, bereavement and unplanned pregnancy.
Telephone: 01484 515137
WAY (Widowed and Young)
Support for those widowed under age of 50 (all those who have lost partners)
https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/
Have to join the online network before being able to access support
Way-Up
Support for those aged between 50-60 who have lost partner
info@way-up.co.uk
Children Local and National contacts
Noah’s Ark Centre (Calderdale)
http://www.noahsarkcentre.org.uk/index.html
Young people: yp@noahsarkcentre.org.uk
Children (Rainbows): rainbows@noahsarkcentre.org.uk
Adults: counselling@noahsarkcentre.org.uk
01422 300457
Forget-me-not Hospice
For anyone in West Yorkshire who has suffered the bereavement of a pregnancy or child (up to 18 years) within the last 2 years.
Sibling support (4 yrs up) also available – criteria as above.
01484 411040
Hope Again (Cruse CYP)
The youth website of Cruse. Lots of videos, resources, etc.
One-to-one counselling may be available through local branch but mainly online chats, etc.
Parents can contact for support/advice.
0808 808 1677
Mon, Wednesday, Thursday & Fri 9.30am-5pm, Tues-1pm -8pm, Sat-Sun - closed
hopeagain@cruse.org.uk (for young person seeking help)
Open Minds
Support for bereaved young people (CAMHS)
Openminds in Calderdale (openmindscalderdale.org.uk)
01422 300001
SWYMHT Single point of access
24/7 Open access to mental health services
24/7 Helpline (Freefone)
https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk/service-users-and-carers/in-crisis/
Calderdale
Children and young people (CAMHS) – 01422 300001
CAMHS crisis line – 8am-8pm 01484 343763
People with a learning disability – 07795 884879
Kirklees.
CAMHS crisis line – 8am-8pm 01484 343763
People with a learning disability – 01924 31671
Child bereavement UK
Supports children who have been bereaved – or families following the loss of a child.
https://www.childbereavementuk.org
0800 02 888 40
Child death helpline
Freefone service for all those affected by death of a child (any age, any circumstance, any time)
https://www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk/
0800 282 986 – Open every day of the year
Mon-Friday – 10.00am to 13.00.
Monday to Sunday 19.00 – 22.00
TCF (previously Compassionate Friends)
Bereaved parents and their families (death of a child)
0845 123 2304
Kooth
Online support for children/young people aged 10-25 years
They have to sign up for services
www.kooth.com (Mon-Fri 12pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 6pm-10pm)
07520 618866/ 07520 618867
Night Owls (Overnight West Yorkshire Listening/Advice Service)
For children, young people and their parents and carers (8pm-8am)
Leeds Survivor Led Crisis Service » West Yorkshire Night OWLS Helpline (lslcs.org.uk)
0800 1488 244
07984 376950
Via link on website
Northorpe Hall Child and Family trust
Mental health support for people 0-25 yrs (counselling, 1-1 support, activity groups, online chats or phone support)
Call 01924 492 183 for information about our services. Opening hours:
Monday: 9 - 5pm
Tuesday to Thursday: 9 to 7pm
Friday: 9 to 5pm
support@northorpe.com
Bereavement as a result of suicide
If U Care Share
Website and campaign organisation with links to sources of support for those affected by suicide
0191 387 5661
West Yorkshire Suicide Bereavement Service
Leeds based support for those bereaved through suicide
0113 3055800
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Support for those bereaved through suicide
0300 111 5065
Useful general information
This website with all sorts of information about what happens after someone dies and some useful signposting.