Bereavement support
Bereavement is deeply distressing but it’s also a common and natural experience. We have a range of services which offer adult bereavement support.
Bereavement support for patients, their family, friends and carers
Bereavement support is one of the services our Family Support Team provides to our patients and their family, friends and carers. We are here to support you following a bereavement, if you need it.
If you feel you need to talk to someone, our bereavement practitioners offer individual time to help you express your grief openly. Our adult bereavement support also offers a space for you to discuss any particular difficulties that have arisen in your bereavement. They can visit you at the Hospice, at home or virtually.
How can we support you?
About two months after a patient has died, the Family Support Team write to the designated next of kin with information about our support. However, you can contact the team at any time – support is available whenever it’s needed. In general, evidence tells us this type of support is not effective immediately after you have been bereaved. We usually suggest that people wait for around three months before deciding whether they would like to see a bereavement support practitioner.
After an initial meeting, they will usually arrange to meet with you for around six sessions. After this, they will review with you how things are going. If more sessions are needed, they will then agree these with you.
Community bereavement support
We also run a variety of community groups which offer the opportunity to meet others who are bereaved. From writing to allotment groups, there’s a whole host of activities which we have designed to support you. Some are practical courses which you may find helpful. Others are more informal and interest-based.
We also have a variety of Bereavement Help Points across our patch which are open to all adults within the community. They are a community based drop-in service model where all people who are bereaved are welcome. It’s a space to meet and talk with others who may be experiencing similar thoughts and feelings, in an informal and supportive setting.
Need more information?
For more information about our bereavement services, or if you wish to talk to someone, please contact the team by phone or email:
Phone: 0345 0130 555