Support Services

There are many organisations that offer help and support to bereaved people. Details of some of these are listed below, however there are many more. Please contact the Bereavement Service to find out about other services, or for more information.

Organisations are grouped under the following headings:


General

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
A charity offering bereavement information and support, including face-to-face counselling at local offices around Scotland.
Phone: 0845 600 22 27 (9.30am - 5pm, Monday to Friday)
Email: info@crusescotland.org.uk
Website: http://www.crusescotland.org.uk
 
For Cruse in England and Wales contact
Helpline: 0844 477 9400
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Website: http://www.cruse.org.uk
 
For Cruse in Northern Ireland contact
Phone: 028 9079 2419 
Email: northern.ireland@cruse.org.uk
Website: http://www.cruseni.org 
 
Acorns Bereavement Support Programme
A new local service offering a six-week programme of practical help and group support in Edinburgh.
Phone: 0131 208 1882
Email: acorns.info@gmail.com
 
DWP Bereavement Service
Department for Work & Pensions helpline to check if you can claim help with funeral costs or any other benefits.
Phone: 0845 606 0265
Textphone: 0845 606 0285
 
Citizens Advice Bureau
Free, impartial advice on a wide range of issues including money, benefits, legal matters, and housing. You can find details of local branches in the Phone Book or on the Citizens Advice Scotland website
 
Samaritans
Support for anyone in a crisis.
Helpline: 08457 90 90 90 (24 hours a day, every day)
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Website: http://www.samaritans.org   

 

Parents

Child Death Helpline
Support for anyone affected by the death of a child (at any age).
Helpline: 0800 282 986 (every day 7pm- 10pm, Monday to Friday 10am - 1pm, Tuesdays & Wednesdays 1pm - 4pm).
Freephone helpline for calls from mobiles: 0808 800 6019  
Website: http://www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk/
 
The Compassionate Friends
Support for parents who have experienced the death of a child (at any age).
UK Helpline: 0845 123 2304 (10am - 4pm, 7 - 10pm, every day)
Northern Ireland Helpline: 0288 77 88 016 (10am - 4pm, 7 - 9.30pm, every day) 
Email: info@tcf.org.uk
Website: http://www.tcf.org.uk/
 
Child Bereavement Charity
(Formerly the Child Bereavement Trust.) A national charity providing support for bereaved families and professionals who work with them.
Phone: 01494 568900
Email: enquiries@childbereavement.org.uk
Website: http://www.childbereavement.org.uk/
 
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)
Support for anyone affected by the death of a baby.
Helpline: 020 7436 5881 (9.30am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday plus 6-10pm, Tuesdays & Thursdays)
Email: helpline@uk-sands.org
Website: http://www.uk-sands.org/ 
 
SANDS Lothians
Local branch of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society, covering Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Phone: 0131 622 6263
Email: sands-lothians@sands-lothians.org.uk
Website: http://www.sands-lothians.org.uk/
 
The Scottish Cot Death Trust
Provides support and information to people bereaved by cot death (also known as sudden unexpected death in infancy or sudden infant death syndrome).
Phone: 0141 357 3946
Email: contact@scottishcotdeathtrust.org
Website: http://www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org  

 

Children and Young People

Winston’s Wish
A national charity providing support for bereaved children and young people.
Helpline: 08452 03 04 05 (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday)
General Enquiries: 01242 515157
Email: info@winstonswish.org.uk
Website: http://www.winstonswish.org.uk

Child Bereavement Charity
(Formerly the Child Bereavement Trust.) A national charity providing support for bereaved families and professionals who work with them.
Phone: 01494 568900
Email: enquiries@childbereavement.org.uk
Website: http://www.childbereavement.org.uk
 
Cruse Bereavement Care Youth Involvement Project
A national charity providing support for young people who have been affected by someone's death.
Helpline (freephone): 0808 808 1677 (9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday)
General Enquiries: 020 8939 9530
Email: info@rd4u.org.uk
Website: http://www.rd4u.org.uk/ 
 
Richmond’s Hope
A local charity providing support for bereaved children and young people aged 4 to 16 in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Phone: 0131 661 6818
Email: help@richmondshope.org.uk
Website: http://www.richmondshope.org.uk/
 
Childline
A phone helpline for children and young people in danger or distress.
Helpline (freephone): 0800 11 11 (24 hours a day, every day)
Text message: for information about loss and bereavement text the word loss to 78101
Website: http://www.childline.org.uk/  

 

Older people

Age UK
Age UK is the new national charity combining Age Concern and Help the Aged. It provides free information, advice and support on issues that affect people in later life, including: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work, training and leisure.
Age UK Advice (freephone): 0800 169 6565 (8am - 7pm, every day)
Age Scotland Helpline (local rate): 0845 125 9732 
Email: contact@ageuk.org.uk         
Website: http://www.ageuk.org.uk                                       

 

People bereaved by suicide

SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)
Support and advice for people bereaved by suicide.
Helpline: 0844 561 6855 (9am - 9pm, every day)
Minicom: 01925 826204
TypeTalk:18002 - 01925 826204
Email: sobs.support@hotmail.com 
Website: http://www.sobs.admin.care4free.net

People bereaved by the death of a partner or spouse

National Association of Widows
Support and befriending for men and women who have lost their partners through bereavement.
Phone: 0845 838 2261
Email: info@nawidows.org.uk
Website: http://www.nawidows.org.uk/
 
The WAY (Widowed and Young) Foundation
A self-help social and support network for men and women widowed under the age of 50 and their children.
Phone: 0300 012 4929
Email: info@wayfoundation.org.uk
Website: http://www.wayfoundation.org.uk
 
London Friend LGBT Bereavement Helpline
Support and advice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people who have been bereaved or are facing bereavement.
Helpline: 020 7837 3337 (7.30 - 9.30pm, Tuesdays)
Website: http://www.londonfriend.org.uk/bereavementhelpline
 

 

Last Reviewed: 10/08/2011
Due to be Reviewed: 10/08/2012