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Bereavement Support

Bereavement

Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. We display our loss through grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through as we gradually adjust to the loss.

Losing someone important to us can be emotionally devastating - whether that be a partner, family member, friend or pet. It is natural to go through a range of feelings as we come to terms with the loss. Grief can affect us:

  • emotionally
  • physically
  • mentally

Some of the common symptoms can include:

  • a feeling of overwhelming sadness
  • shock and feeling numb
  • feeling guilty
  • feeling anger
  • tiredness and exhaustion
  • trouble sleeping
  • loss of appetite
  • feeling anxious or depressed

MIND.org.uk has information on the different experiences of grief and the types of feelings that are common during the grieving process.

We all deal with grief differently, there is no right or wrong way to deal with grief but you must know that we have support available and you are not alone.

Children and Bereavement

Like adults every child and young person will react to, feel and express loss differently, and this will change over time. There is no right or wrong way for a young person to grieve. Whether you're supporting a younger or older child through bereavement and grief, there is support available.

The NHS has some helpful information on supporting a younger child who is about to lose someone, and how to talk to children after losing someone.

Find out more here

Youngminds.org.uk has lots of helpful advice for young people who are suffering a loss and working through grief including:

  • tips and advice on working through grief
  • real-life stories have how young people have dealt with grief
  • where to get support

For more information visit Young Minds bereavement for young people here

They also have lots of advice for people supporting a young person through grief, including:

  • understanding how a young person might respond to a loss
  • how to talk to a young person about their loss
  • how you can support them through the grieving process
  • who to talk to and how to get further support if its needed

For more information visit Young Minds help for people supporting a young person through grief

Young Minds have produced a short video for young people who are grieving.

Local support for you

If you are struggling to come to terms with a bereavement you may want to talk to, or gain support from, one of the organisations listed below:

Cruse Bereavement

Website: www.cruse.org.uk

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Telephone: 0808 808 1677

Cruse is here to support you after the death of someone close. Counselling on a one-to-one basis or in group sessions for people suffering bereavement. Pre-bereavement help also offered.

Child Bereavement UK

Website: www.childbereavementuk.org

Email: support@childbereavementuk.org

Telephone: 0800 02 888 40

Bereavement Services: 01494 568 900

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.

'Bereavement support for families' provides face-to-face support at a growing number of locations across the country including:

  • Individual, couple and family support sessions.
  • Parents' support groups for baby and child death and support through a subsequent pregnancy.
  • Family Support Groups for children aged 4 to 12 to attend with adult carers.
  • A Young People's Advisory Group (YPAG) for bereaved young people up to age 25.

Marie Curie

Website: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/hospice-care/bradford 

Email: Bradford.hospice@mariecurie.org.uk  

Telephone: 01274 337000

Marie Curie supports Children, Young People, Families, Adults and Carers when someone close is dying or has died. If someone you know had a terminal illness and received Marie Curie Care, or is currently receiving care from us then you can access our free confidential Bereavement Support Services.

  • One to one counselling for children and young people between the ages of 5 and 18 years
  • One to one counselling for adults 18 years plus
  • Listening Support
  • Advice and information
  • Peer Support Groups

Please contact a member of our friendly Patient Family Support Team where we can discuss and support you further.

The Lullaby Trust

Website: www.lullabytrust.org.uk

Bereavement support: 0808 802 6868

Information and advice: 0808 802 6869

The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families.

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