After a death, you may initially feel shocked, numb, guilty, angry, afraid and full of pain. These feelings may change to longing, sadness, loneliness - even hopelessness and fear about the future.
These feelings are not unnatural or wrong. They are all normal reactions to what may be the most difficult experience of your life. Over time, these feelings should lessen. Every person's experience of grief is unique and influenced by personal circumstances.
We understand how difficult it can be to speak to someone about your feelings. Please don’t worry if you are nervous or upset. Just take your time. There is no rush. Talking to Cruse provides an opportunity to talk about grief in a safe and understanding way. Our volunteers are trained to listen.
Our services
We offer bereavement support for anyone who is bereaved, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation, and no matter whenever or however the death occurred.
Our Bereavement Volunteers are drawn from different backgrounds who undergo special training in the process of grieving and working with bereaved people. Some have undergone more specialised training to enable them to work with all areas of bereavement including suicide, sudden death, the death of a child, stillbirth, neonatal and miscarriage. Some of our volunteers are trained to work with bereaved prisoners. All volunteers receive ongoing training and regular supervision, and all volunteers have police checks carried out on them.
One-to-one support
Our Bereavement Volunteers are trained to the highest Cruse standards. Anything you share with them is entirely confidential. Volunteers must attend meetings where their work is supervised, to make sure you are getting the best care.
The volunteer is there to listen and help you work through your grief. There is no limit on how many sessions you can have. We are here to help you find your personal way through grief.
If you would like to register for one-to-one support, please visit our Get Support page.
Information
Leaflets
You can read or download a selection of Cruse leaflets about bereavement on this page. Leaflets are available for both adults and children and young people.
Articles
A selection of articles about grief and how bereavement affects people is available on Cruse Bereavement Support's UK website.
Children and Young People
We offer one-to-one support for children and young people, as well as an annual residential weekend and regular social activities through our CruzKids groups.
If you would like to register for one-to-one support, please visit out Get Support page.
Bereavement support groups
We are occasionally able to run support groups, where you are able to talk things over with people who have had similar experiences to you, along with the help of trained and experienced Bereavement Volunteers. These groups can only run if there are enough members or if enough people have expressed an interest in attending. If no groups are available when you contact us, we can always offer one-to-one support.
Advice and support
We offer advice and support for all including (but not limited to) individuals, groups, corporate organisations, parents, carers, relatives, friends and family.
Bereavement awareness sessions
We offer bereavement awareness sessions for organisations, schools and youth organisations.
End of Life Matters
The End of Life Matters initiative encourages everyone, regardless of age or health, to take simple steps to make their end of life experience better; for themselves and for their family and friends.
The following services are offered by Cruse Bereavement Support in the UK
National Telephone Helpline
0808 808 1677
National Website
Children & Young People's Website
There is no charge for these services although donations are very welcome.