Coping with crisis

Coping with bereavement and loss

Death is a normal part of life, we all know that at some point all of us will die, but that doesn’t make it easier to deal with when someone you love dies, especially if that death is unexpected or traumatic.

The NHS recognises that all of us grieve in different ways and that the sadness, anger, frustration and tears can all be part of the normal process, and that one of the key ways of working through the grief is finding a safe space to talk about these feelings.

Many bereavement services provide support both before death and afterwards, recognising that the grief process often starts when you know someone is going to die, before they have died, and it is important to get support during this time to help you make the best of the time you have left together.

Some of the support services in Birmingham that can help:

There are also national support services that can help:

  • Bereavement Advice Centre
  • CRUSE national bereavement charity and helpline: 08088081677
  • Samaritans
  • Grief Encounter – a national charity supporting children and young people experiencing grief
  • Child Bereavement UK – support for bereaved children and young people up to 25, and parents bereaved of a child of any age
  • Winston’s Wish – a national charity supporting children and young people who lose a parent
  • Kinship – a national charity supporting grandparents, including specific support around the death of a child for grandparents
  • Lullaby Trust – a national charity supporting parents who have lost a baby or young child, they also have a national helpline for bereaved parents 0808 802 6868
  • Miscarriage Association – a national charity supporting parents affected by miscarriage
  • SANDS – a national charity supporting parents affected by still birth
  • The Compassionate Friends Network – a national network of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other similarly bereaved family members who have suffered the death of a child or children of any age and from any cause.
  • UK SOBS – a national charity supporting people who have lost someone to death through suicide
  • SAMM – a national charity supporting people have lost someone through murder or manslaughter, they also have a national helpline 0121 472 2912 or 0845 872 3440
  • Roadpeace – a national charity providing support for people who have lost someone through a road traffic accident, their helpline number is 0845 4500 355
  • Way Up – a national self-help charity supporting people who are widowed
  • Way Widowed and Young – a national charity supporting those who are widowed young (aged under 50 years)
  • National Government Advice on Benefits after death of a spouse

Page last updated: 22 February 2024

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