Bereavement Support
National Grief Awareness Week 2025 - 2 to 8 of December 2025
National Grief Awareness Week, led by The Good Grief Trust, shines a light on grief and bereavement across the UK. Each year, this annual campaign invites communities to come together under a shared theme. This years theme is “Growing with Grief”
The National grief awareness week offers opportunities to share stories, join Walk and talk groups, attend events, and participate in moments of remembrance. The initiative provides essential resources, fosters connection, and encourages compassionate conversations to support anyone affected by loss.
Bereavement and grief
Following a bereavement, you may be looking for support; to talk, and try and make sense of what has happened to you, your family and friends.
As well as reaching out to family and friends, there is local and national support available.
What to do when someone dies
GOV.UK provides a step by step guide on what you should do when someone dies.
Arranging a funeral
Contact your local funeral director to help you arrange the funeral. The funeral director will be able to guide and support you through the process.
If you hire a funeral director, choose one who’s a member of either:
Support for dealing with bereavement and grief
Support is available from a number of national and local organisations, offering helpful information on what to expect and how to cope.
Local Support
Mountbatten Isle of Wight
Bereavement support for all, Mountbatten Isle of Wight in partnership with Kissy Puppy
Mountbatten’s clinical psychologists and counsellors offer both individual and group sessions, supported by bereavement volunteers who are trained and supervised by these specialists. Thanks to Mountbatten’s partnership with KissyPuppy, the Sophie Rolf Trust, bereavement support – which often involves music and art therapy - is available for children and families. All support given is confidential and available for as long as is needed.
Samaritans - Isle of Wight
Telephone: 116123 free phone
Telephone: 01983 524914 local charges apply
Cruse support after suicide service
Cruse offers a confidential support service for people bereaved by, or affected by, suicide who are a resident across Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.
For information on wider mental health support see Isle of Wight Community Mental Health Support Hub
Reading Well scheme – available at Council-run libraries
The Reading Agency's Reading Well scheme helps you understand and manage your health and wellbeing. The helpful resources consist of booklists which have been chosen and recommended by health experts and people living with the conditions covered.
A Dying Matters book collection help people individuals and loved ones who are preparing for a death and to help with bereavement.
The Libraries also have regular events and opportunities that may help cope with a bereavement. Isle of Wight Council libraries for more details around what each library offers.
National Support
At A Loss - UK wide bereavement signposting and information website
Bereavement Advice Centre - provides practical help when someone dies - they support and advise people on what they need to do after death
Care for the family - Coping with the loss of a loved one is painful and often lonely. they help you find hope and strength to rebuild your life and support your family
Carers UK Coping with bereavement - practical support when caring ends or changes
Child Bereavement UK - help for children, young people, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies
Child Bereavement Network - a hub for those supporting bereaved children and young people
Compassion in Dying - help you prepare for the end of life, how to talk about it, plan for it, and record your wishes
Compassionate Friends - supporting bereaved parents and their families. The
Compassionate Friends is a Non-Profit Organisation.
Cruse Bereavement Support - you
don’t have to deal with grief on your own
The Good Grief Trust - run by the bereaved for the bereaved, offering advice and support
GOV.UK Death and bereavement - death and bereavement services
Hope Again - youth website where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief and feel less alone
Hospice UK - national charity for hospice and end of life care. They work to ensure anyone affected by death, dying and bereavement gets the care and support they need, when they need it
Lullaby Trust - The Lullaby Trust exists to keep babies safe and to keep grieving families supported.
Mind - provides information on bereavement, where to go for support and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief
NHS Grief after bereavement or loss – how to deal with grief after bereavement and loss
Road peace - National Charity for Road Crash Victims
Sands - offer support for all types of pregnancy and baby loss
Widowed and Young - UK Charity offering a peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday
Winston’s Wish - support for children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling
Young Minds - a guide for young people dealing with grief and loss