Bereavement is the period of sadness and loneliness that we experience from a loss. Those who experience loss as a consequence to COVID-19, or loss through another cause may experience increased trauma and may be cut off from some of their usual support network.
The information below aims to provide you with some resources to support you preparing for, or managing through, the bereavement process.
What to do when someone dies: step by step
Check what to do after a death - how to register the death, notify government departments and manage financial issues.
Get help with funeral costs
You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits
Grief after bereavement or loss
Support is also available if you're finding it hard to cope with stress, anxiety or depression.
The Mulberry Centre
Offers counselling, complimentary therapies, workshops and a variety of other services to anyone who has been bereaved due to cancer. We also offer our counselling service to anyone who is resident or works in Hounslow or cares for someone who is (or has recently been treated as an inpatient at the West Middlesex Hospital) and has an End of Life diagnosis (or cares for someone who has) or has been bereaved for any reason. You can call them on 020 8321 6300 or email them with any questions at - talk@themulberrycentre.co.uk
Age UK information guides and factsheets
Information guides and factsheets.
Cruse support
What you can do to help yourself, and what you can do to help others.
Caring for your dying relative at home with COVID-19
Hospice UK have formulated a COVID19 guide to nursing your dying relative at home. This guidance is produced to help support people who are caring for someone who is dying at home from COVID-19 infection.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Cruse offers telephone, email and website support. This site has free publications and links to further resources for support.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) if you’re affected by terminal illness
If your family member or friend is living with a terminal illness, or if you have a terminal illness yourself or worried about coronavirus. Some people living with a terminal illness may be at higher risk of experiencing more serious complications from coronavirus. You may also be worried about whether services, like nursing care or social services, will be available. This site has some general information that you may find helpful.
National Bereavement Service (NBS)
National Bereavement Service (NBS) provide free practical advice and emotional support to families going through a bereavement – anything from explaining the ins & outs of probate to helping someone find a bereavement counsellor to just providing a listening ear. The service can be accessed by phone, email or live webchat.
Further support is also available from:
- The Good Grief Trust - Coronavirus Bereavement Advice
- Support for the bereaved - Information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions.
- At A Loss - Dealing with bereavement and grief during the Covid-19 pandemic
- National Association of Funeral Directors - COVID-19 Funeral Advice
- Mind Resources
- Marie Curie Telephone Bereavement Support
