What is Grief?
Grief is a strong, sometimes overwhelming emotion felt after a loss which can be from the death of a loved one or from a long-term illness diagnosis. It is an event which causes a permanent change in life whose affects cannot be altered.
Grief is a strong feeling experienced in the event of something which has come to a permanent end or change in a familiar pattern of behaviour.
Grief is experienced in a wide range of circumstances covering many kinds of losses which can evoke many different emotions.
Bereavement vs Grief
Bereavement is what happens to you, for example, a loved one has died.
Grief is what you feel. Grief is a state and grieving is a process which means what you do to manage your feelings of grief after a bereavement.
I am a Specialist Bereavement and Grief Counsellor in Fleet, Hampshire working with in person and online counselling and offer a safe, supportive space for clients experiencing grief and loss through bereavement.
Contact me to book an initial session and I will support you through this difficult time.
Bereavement support
If you are experiencing grief and loss due to bereavement, you are not alone, there are many people who are here to support you. There are helplines and support groups who will offer support, below are some of those who can offer expert advice.
Bereavement Trust
A listening ear, information and support in time of sorrow
Phone: 0800 435 455 (6pm until 10pm). If the line is engaged, please ring 0800 9177 416.
Website: www.bereavement-trust.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Childhood Bereavement Network
Searchable directory of local child bereavement services and other helpful information.
Website: www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/directory
Child Bereavement UK
CBUK offers support, guidance and information for anyone supporting a bereaved child or young person. Also support for parents when a child of any age has died.
Phone: 0844 477 9400
Website: www.childbereavementuk.org
Child Death Helpline
A free phone service to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age
Phone: 0800 282 986 or 0808 800 6019 or email: contact@childdeathhelpline.org
Website: www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk
Compassionate Friends
Support for all families bereaved after the death of a child or children.
Phone: 0345 123 2304 (Daily 10am–4pm & 7pm–10pm)
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
Good Funeral Guide
Information about what is involved in arranging a funeral, including types of funerals adna guide to costs.
Website: www.goodfuneralguide.co.uk
Grief Chat
GriefChat is a safe space for grieving or bereaved people to be able to share their story, explore their feelings and be supported by a qualified bereavement counsellor.
Using GriefChat is free of charge and is open Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm (UK time) to grieving or bereaved people.
Phone: 01524 889823
Email: info@griefchat.co.uk
Website: https://www.griefchat.co.uk/
Hope Again
A web-based resource for bereaved young people, created by young people who have been bereaved; it is part of Cruse.
Website: www.hopeagain.org.uk
Independent Advisory Panel on Deaths in Custody
The IAP is a government body set up to provide independent advice and expertise on policy. Its aim is to bring about a continuing and sustained reduction in the number and rate of deaths in all forms of state custody in England and Wales
Email: iap@justice.gov.uk
Website: www.iapdeathsincustody.independent.gov.uk
Inquest
Advice to bereaved families facing an inquest
Phone: 020 7263 1111 or email: inquest@inquest.org.uk
Website: www.inquest.org.uk
Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service
Support for any member of the Jewish community who has been bereaved.
Phone: 0208 951 3881 or email: enquiries@jbcs.org.uk
Website: www.jbcs.org.uk
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline).
Website: www.samaritans.org
SANDS – Stillbirth and Neonatal death
National Helpline: 020 7436 5881 (Mon – Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm; Tues & Thurs 6pm – 10pm. Open Bank Holidays 10am – 3pm) or email: helpline@uk-sands.org
The Sand Rose Project
Provides breaks for bereaved families
Phone: 0845 607 6357 or email: info@sandrose.org.uk
Website: www.sendirecto.org.uk
SOBS – Survivors of Bereavement of Suicide
Support for survivors of bereavement of suicide.
Phone: 0300 111 5065 (Monday to Friday 9am–9pm)
Website: www.uksobs.org
Sudden Death Support Association
Helps relatives and close friends of those who die suddenly.
Phone: 0800 121 6510 or email: suddenhelpline@brake.org.uk
Website: www.suddendeath.org
SUDEP Action (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)
A specialist organisation, providing services, information and education for bereaved families and professional on epilepsy related deaths.
Phone:01235 772850 or email: info@sudep.org
Website: www.sudep.org
Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM)
Support for bereaved families and friends
Phone: 0121 472 2912 or 0845 872 3440 or email: info@samm.org.uk
Website: www.samm.org.uk
Widowed and Young (WAY)
WAY is the only national charity in the UK for people aged 50 or under when their partner died. It’s a peer-to-peer support group operating with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves.
Website: www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
Winston’s Wish
Offers support and guidance to bereaved children and families. They have produced Beyond the Rough Rock, a booklet on supporting a young person or child bereaved through suicide, and can provide information on children seeing the body and attending the funerals.
Phone: 08452 030405
Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk