How to cope with bereavement and grief

Many people find it helps to talk about their feelings with someone they trust – a friend, a relative, a faith leader or someone else. You could also speak to your GP, a trained counsellor or a peer support group. 

If you’d prefer to speak to someone you don’t know (either by phone or online), you can find details of helplines in the ‘Useful websites’ section below. You might like to start by visiting the AtaLoss directory of bereavement support services.

The time immediately after someone has died can be particularly distressing. In the coming weeks and months, you could go through four stages of grief: accepting that your loss is real, experiencing the pain of grief, adjusting to life without the person you have lost and finally feeling that your grief is less intense and that you’re able to focus on other positive aspects of life again. Of course, everyone’s experience of grief is different and you will have your own personal journey.

As you move through these stages, your grief might feel out of control but your feelings should become less intense over time. If you find that you’re struggling with your grief, please talk to someone (e.g. your GP) about getting professional support. You can find details of bereavement support services on your local council website and in the ‘useful websites’ section below. If you’re struggling to cope and need urgent support, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option to talk to a mental health professionals and get help 24/7.

When someone dies, there is a lot to organise and this can be very stressful. You might be the person responsible for registering their death, arranging their funeral and considering how to manage any property they own. You might also have the difficult job of breaking the news to other people.

With so much to do, it can be easy to forget to look after yourself. Try to eat healthily even if you don’t feel hungry. Stick to your normal routine if you can and make sure you get enough sleep. Do some light exercise, even if you feel exhausted. If you’re worried about funeral costs or other bills, find out if you can get any bereavement benefits.

The ‘useful websites’ section below includes organisations that provide practical advice about dealing with the death of a loved one.

• Apart of Me (app to support young people through loss)
• Faith-based bereavement resources
• How to cope with the death of a loved one (advice for young people)
• How to support someone who has lost a loved one
• Five ways to good mental wellbeing
• How to deal with stress
• How to get enough sleep
• Quick guides for supporting friends, family, colleagues, children and young people with their mental health

Advice and support

• Age UK
• Cruse
• Dying Matters
• Grief Chat
• The Good Grief Trust
• NHS

Directories of bereavement services

• AtaLoss
• UK Government (find bereavement services from your council)

Practical support

• UK Government (what to do when someone dies)

Advice and support about sudden bereavement

• Thrive LDN

Advice and support for children

• Child Bereavement UK
• Grief Encounter