Directory: Bereavement

ARC offers non-directive information and support to parents before, during and after antenatal screening; when they are told their baby has an anomaly; when they are making difficult decisions about continuing with or ending a pregnancy, and when they are coping with complex and painful issues after making a decision, including bereavement.

Helpline Monday – Friday 10am-5.30pm using number below (or you can text using 07908 683004)

For evening support email to book an appointment for either a Tuesday or Thursday evening 8pm-10pm.

Somerset Partnership have put together self help guides on a number of topics including bereavement. See link below.

The Bereavement Advice Centre is a free helpline and web-based information service provided by Co-op Legal Services. It provides practical information, advice and signposting on the many issues and procedures that face people after the death of someone close. The service welcomes calls from bereaved people and the professionals and volunteers who support them.

This advice line is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

There are different bereavement benefits available from the government.

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife or civil partner died in the last 21 months. You must claim within 3 months of your partner’s death to get the full amount. You can claim up to 21 months after their death but you’ll get fewer monthly payments. Visit the .Gov link below.

There is also a benefit called Guardians Allowance in the event of death of a/both parents. The loss of a single parent may also be eligible where other parent is absent.

The bereavement well-being group offers friendly support and provides an opportunity to meet with other people who are experiencing the pain of bereavement. This group currently runs online:

4th Thursday of the month from 12pm – 1pm

Please call to book yourself a place.

One-to-one counselling with a qualified counsellor via telephone is also available, although there is currently an 8 week waiting list. Please call to refer yourself to this service.

We provide free and confidential emotional support and information to anyone who is affected by the loss, or anticipated loss, of a pet or assistance animal through illness, euthanasia, natural death or other circumstances like theft or attack. We commit to providing this support service every day of the year from 8.30am to 8.30pm.

We provide confidential support, information and guidance to families and professionals throughout the UK. Our professionally trained bereavement support workers are available to take calls 9am-5pm Monday – Friday. Please see the number below.

Help can also be given over web chat. Please use the helpline email below.

The Helpline is for anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from pre-birth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago. It is operated by a dedicated team of volunteers who are all bereaved parents themselves, so they do understand.

Monday to Sunday 7pm to 10pm.

Monday, Thursday, Friday 10am to 1pm.

Tuesday and Wednesday 10am to 4pm

Cruse Bereavement Support is the leading grief charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  Their trained Bereavement Support Volunteers provide support for people who are grieving. They also offer a range of online services including self-help resources and online chat.   Grief is personal and so is grief support.  You can speak to them on the phone, online or get in touch with them about ongoing grief support sessions.

Bereavement Help Point (BHP) is a community based drop-in service, welcoming anyone who has suffered a bereavement. Space to meet and talk with others who may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings, in an informal and supportive setting. Free  with no referral required and no time limit on attendances.

Second and fourth Wednesday of every month. 10.00am to 11.45 am at Shepton Brasserie,  64 High Street, BA4 5AX

Josephine’s Star offer support to children and their families in Somerset when someone special has died. Thier trained volunteers provide professional help to children, young people and their families either individually or in facilitated groups. Referrals can be made by a school, healthcare professional or family member and must be with the agreement of the carer and child concerned. Please complete the contact form on their website.

Josephine’s Star are offering free Little Bags of Help to families in need. Please visit the website below for more details.

Losing a baby during pregnancy can be a very unhappy, frightening and lonely experience.  The Miscarriage Association helps by offering support and information for anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy. Call our Helpline below, which is available from 9am-4pm Monday to Friday.

The Bereavement Office provides a service for the newly bereaved families of patients who die at Musgrove Park. To arrange an appointment with one of our Bereavement Support Officers please ring the number below.

Committed to assisting in relieving distress, whether mental, physical, spiritual or emotional, caused by the bereavement of a child. 24 hour telephone helpline.

The Bereavement Office provides a service for the newly bereaved families of patients who die at RUH; Call the Bereavement Office Manager or email for more information – Monday – Friday 08:30am – 4.30pm.

SANDS offers support for anyone who has been affected by the loss of a baby.

Somerset Partnership have put together self help guides on a number of topics.

Somerset Bereavement Support Partnership in partnership with Marie Curie Companions can provide bereavement support for people across Somerset who are over the age of 18. This service provides telephone support calls with compassionate volunteers. In addition, a further six sessions of one to one bereavement counselling can be provided by experienced bereavement support workers at Mind in Somerset specialist bereavement service. Mind in Somerset support adults and children aged 12+ . They can work in a whole family setting if needed.

Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service is here for anyone bereaved by suicide in Somerset.  We offer emotional support as well as guidance through the trauma of sorting out personal affairs. Fully trained members of staff advise on matters such as liaising with the Police, Coroner’s office and faith groups.  Most importantly, we are here to listen at a time of great stress and anguish.

We are now able to offer support via Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, telephone, or via our new Chat Box which is located in the bottom right-hand corner of our website.  Individuals can also reach us via email.  We aim to respond to anyone who contacts us within 48 hrs during the working week.

Committed to providing specialist palliative care, advice, support and respite to patients and their families living in Somerset and parts of neighbouring counties. Our care is available for those who have a terminal or life-limiting illness, for example cancer, motor neurone disease and chronic lung disease.

A self-help, voluntary organisation which aims to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. Our nearest support groups are Bath (virtual) and Bristol – please visit our website for details.

Our Support Helpline is open every day 9am – 9pm, please call the number below.

We Hear You (WHY) provide a range of services including free, professional counselling for anyone impacted by cancer or a life-threatening condition, including Covid-19. The service is available to children, young people and adults across Mendip, Somerset and Wiltshire.

We Hear You (WHY) also run Walk and Talks, WHY Be Mindful courses, WHY Outdoors Nature Connections and The Coffee Connection in Frome.

For more information please visit their website below.

The leading childhood bereavement charity and the largest provider of services to bereaved children, young people and their families in the UK. Helpline open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm – for expert advice and guidance on bereavement support for a grieving child or young person after the death of a loved one.

The Hospital Bereavement Service will provide you with as much guidance as you need during the early days of a hospital bereavement. The service is available between 9am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Specialist advice and information is also available for parents who lose a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, please contact the Hospital Bereavement Service on the above numbers for guidance.

CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people, and their families. We provide clinical, practical, financial and emotional support to help them cope with cancer and get the most out of life. We are there from diagnosis onwards and aim to help the whole family deal with the impact of cancer and its treatment, life after treatment and, in some cases, bereavement.

Helpline available Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm