Useful contacts
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Assistance and advice- What to do when someone dies
- Useful contacts
The ones listed here are a selection of the most well-known - and well-respected. Whilst we can't vouch for each of them, many people find their services invaluable.
Before getting in touch, it's worth noting that some of these organisations are staffed by volunteers and may provide an answer-machine service at times.
On this page:
Emergency assistancePsychological and emotional support
for all ages
for death of a child or children affected by death
Other specialist support
Find a counsellor
Practical issues
Funerals
The Samaritans
24-hour helpline support for anyone in distress including those who are feeling suicidal.
Tel: 08457 90 90 90
(All day, every day)
www.samaritans.org
NHS Direct 24-hour access to health advice.
Tel: 0845 4647
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Help with finding NHS services including hospitals and local doctors, and helpful information on a huge variety of health related topics.
Psychological and emotional support
For all ages
One-to-one and other support and information for the bereaved, organised through local branches. (You'll find your local branch number and a well-stocked bookshop online).
General helpline: 0844 477 9400
Young Person's helpline: 0808 808 1677
(Lines open Mon - Fri, 9.30am to 5.00pm)
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Death of a child/children affected by death
Charity with a dual focus; training professionals who work with families and children affected by a death, and producing excellent resources for use by the bereaved.
Tel: 01494 446648 ( Information & Support Team) www.childbereavement.org.uk
Helpline support for anyone affected by the death of a child - irrespective of the age of the child, the relationship or the length of time since the death. Provided by Great Ormond Street and Royal Liverpool Children's Hospitals.
Tel: 0800 282986
(Mon - Fri 10.00am -1.00pm, extended for 4.00pm Weds only; and 7.00pm - 10.00pm every day)
www.childdeathhelpline.org
Supports children affected by the death of a parent or a sibling - and those caring for them.
Helpline: 08452 03 04 05
www.winstonswish.org.uk
Support by telephone, befriending and local groups for anyone affected by the death of a child - irrespective of the age of the child at the time of death (i.e. the child may have reached adulthood).
Tel: 0845 123 2304
(10.00am - 4.00pm and 6.30pm -10.30pm)
www.tcf.org.uk
Lesbian & Gay Bereavement Project
Support for lesbians and gay men anticipating or experiencing bereavement and also for their families and friends.
Tel: 020 7403 5969
(Mon/Tues/Thurs 7.00pm - 10.30pm)
Information and support for anyone affected by cancer, whether they have been diagnosed themselves or are a family member, carer or friend.
Tel: 0808 808 2020
Textphone: 0808 808 0121
Macmillan Youthline (for ages 12-21): 0808 808 0800
(All lines open Mon - Fri 9.00am - 9.00pm)
http://www.macmillan.org.uk/
Support and friendship for those who have lost a partner under 50.
Tel: 0870 011 3450
www.wayfoundation.org.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
A self-help organisation for those bereaved by the suicide of a family member or anyone close to them.
Tel: 0844 561 6855
(9.00am to 9.00pm every day)
www.uk-sobs.org.uk
Telephone and email support following the loss of a pet.
Tel: 0800 966606
www.bluecross.org.uk
British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy
Professional association and accrediting body for counsellors.
Tel: 0870 443 5252
(Mon - Fri 8.45am -5.00pm)
www.bacp.co.uk - includes a 'Find a Counsellor' section
Association of Christian Counsellors
Association and accrediting body for counsellors working from a specifically Christian perspective.
Tel: 0845 124 9569 or 0845 124 9570
Includes 'Find a Counsellor', at:
www.acc-uk.org/pages/1420.htm
We are proud to provide this service. The website and helpline provides help on what needs to be done after a death.
Tel: 0800 634 9494
www.bereavementadvice.org
Contact the Bereavement Register with details of the person who has died to help prevent advertising material arriving for them in the post.
Tel: 0870 600 7222
www.the-bereavement-register.org.uk
Gives information and links to local Citizens Advice Bureaux.
This service registers the details of the person who has died to stop unwanted direct mail being delivered to them.
Tel: 0800 068 44 33
www.deceasedpreferenceservice.co.uk
Public services all in one place. Official portal to all UK national and local government services.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Government number/website for advice on deaths overseas, or contacting relatives overseas about a death in the UK. Website includes numbers and contact details for individual embassies.
Tel: 0845 850 2829
www.fco.gov.uk - follow links to Travelling & Living Abroad > contact us
Probate Helpline
A free helpline provided by ITC to give information about all aspects of probate.
Tel: 0800 013 2014
Trains, regulates and can provide details of civil funeral celebrants.
Tel: 0845 004 8608
www.iocf.org.uk
National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD)
The largest professional association of funeral directors; has a code of practice and an arbitration scheme.
Tel: 0845 230 1343
www.nafd.org.uk
Provides information on, and officiants for non-religious funerals.
Tel: 020 7079 3580
www.humanism.org.uk
Provides information on environmentally friendly ('green') funerals.
Tel: 0871 288 2098
www.naturaldeath.org.uk
Find out more
If you'd like advice on which organisations are best suited to supporting you, please call us on:
0800 195 2924