Bereavement support
Practical guidance
If you need advice on what to do after a death, including how to register the death and arrange the funeral, go to GOV.UK’s step-by-step guide.
Local services offering personal bereavement support
St Joseph's Hospice (City & Hackney)
Grief in Pieces
The New Normal Charity
City and Hackney Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
Mental Health Support
Supporting people who have been bereaved
People often report that they find it difficult to speak to somebody who has been bereaved and do not always know what to say. As a result they can end up saying nothing at all but this can have the unintended consequence of making the bereaved person feel more isolated and alone.
This short video provides simple advice and tips on how to speak to and support somebody who has been bereaved.
For adults
For children and young people
Help with funeral costs
There is support available if you need help with the cost of a funeral or need to access bereavement benefits:
- If you receive certain benefits or tax credits, you may be able to get a Government Funeral Expenses Payment (it may not cover all the costs of the funeral). You are advised to tell the funeral director before committing to any arrangements.
- Advice from the Money Advice Service, which lists alternative options for paying for a funeral.
- Government Bereavement Support Payment (if you receive or are entitled to Child Benefit you may receive the higher rate).
- Government Guardian’s Allowance (if you are bringing up a child whose parents have died. If you are a lone surviving parent you may also be eligible).
- Quaker Social Action support for people struggling with funeral costs. This includes support via a pre-funeral advice line, dealing with a bill post-funeral and other useful resources.
- Child Funeral Charity
- Final Farewell
- Friends of the Elderly
- Turn2Us provides a range of financial support, including that related to bereavement
Page updated on: 9 September 2024