Bereavement

Many people get through a time of bereavement using their existing means of social support, such as friends and relatives, and do not need other help. However, other people may need:

• information about reactions to bereavement or practical advice

• longer-term bereavement support

• bereavement counselling

• practical information. 

The hospice movement has been one of the driving forces in highlighting the needs of bereaved people. They offer information and support to the family and friends of people who are cared for by the hospice - both before and after a death. Some hospices will work with people who have not had previous contact with a hospice; many work closely with schools to offer advice to teachers.

However, this has not always been matched by the services that are provided nor by the availability of trained workers.

Projects to help hospices

Help the Hospices has supported projects to help hospices develop their bereavement services. These have included: 

• providing a grants programme for bereavement workers

• developing an Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate in Childhood Bereavement and a Postgraduate Certificate on Working with Bereaved Adults

• publishing a Directory of Bereavement Services in the UK.

We have also published a range of resource materials, including:

• Guidance for bereavement needs assessment in palliative care

• When caring comes to an end

• Supporting bereaved children: a handbook for primary schools

Funding support

HBOS Foundation has funded much of our work on bereavement. Staff from Halifax Bank of Scotland voted for Help the Hospices in their Charity Challenge to support "the counselling, care and support of 12,500 bereaved families".

Further information

For more information about our projects and resources please contact us.