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Information and resources on end of life and bereavement in Suffolk and north east Essex

Bereavement, loneliness and support

For bereavement support in your local area, please select your area below.

Bereavement support
in north east Essex
Bereavement support
in east Suffolk
Bereavement support
in west Suffolk

The death of a loved one can be overwhelming and you may feel very alone.

Bereavement, grief and loss can cause many different symptoms that affect people in different ways. There’s no right or wrong way to feel – your experience will be as individual as you are.

Experts generally accept that we go through four stages of bereavement or grief:

  • Accepting that your loss is real
  • Experiencing the pain of grief
  • Adjusting to life without the person
  • Putting less emotional energy into grieving and putting it into something new

Although most people go through all these stages, you may not necessarily move smoothly from one to the next.

Your grief might feel chaotic and out of control, but these feelings will eventually become less intense over time.

Dr Abhijit Bagade, who practiced as a consultant in public health medicine for many years in Suffolk, explains his belief that no one should feel that they have to deal with bereavement on their own:

“You might feel alone and isolated and think that no one understands, but people do understand. When you lose someone, be kind to yourself and take the time and steps you need to come to terms with your loss in the best way you can. 

“If you reach out and talk about it, you will find there is help available at every step. Your family and friends, people at work or a group you belong to can be supportive and listen to you. Or, perhaps a local bereavement group can provide you with both support and an opportunity to meet new people.

“By following the links below, you can find out what support is available, both online and in your local community, including bereavement groups and organisations who have qualified counsellors, then choose what is best for you.”

Watch this short video to learn more about bereavement support.

Please note, this video was created for people in north east Essex and refers to services available in north east Essex. For services available in your local area, please read more below.

Further information and additional support

The NHS website provides advice and links to support:

Marie Curie provides a range of services to support people affected by the death of a loved one. Whether the bereavement is expected, has happened recently or was some time ago. You can also speak to them before a loved one has died:

mariecurie.org.uk – Bereavement support Tel: 0800 090 2309

NHS 111 option 2 is a helpline for people of all ages who need urgent mental health support. The helpline is available all day, every day. If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed or worried about your mental health, dial 111 and select the mental health option (option 2).

Age Space – an online community for the caring generation. Free expert advice and guide to bereavement support.

Asian Family Counselling Service – a registered national charity providing low-cost, confidential and culturally sensitive mental health and relationship counselling services in five languages to South Asian communities in Britain:

Bereavement UK – a website offering free online support for the bereaved and those facing death of a close loved one:

Brake – a road safety charity offering emotional and practical support for road crash victims:

Carers UK – offer expert information, advice and practical support coping with bereavement.

Child Bereavement UK can provide video and telephone support to families in Suffolk and Essex.

Co-op funeral directors provides plenty of useful bereavement resources on their website and some of their funeral homes run bereavement groups:

Cruse Bereavement Care offer advice and support on many aspects of bereavement on their national website including:

Grief Encounter – a website offering guidance on what to expect in bereavement during childhood:

The Good Grief Trust
Run by the bereaved, for the bereaved, this charity provides stories from others who have had a similar loss, practical and emotional support and signposting to a choice of immediate tailored local and national support:

Hope Again – the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care supporting bereaved children and their families:

Mind – offer information on bereavement, where to got for support, and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief.

Muslim Community Helpline – a national organisation for women, men, youth and children offering a confidential, non-judgemental listening and emotional support service:

Sue Ryder provides an online bereavement service with free and professional counselling to anyone living in the UK and 18+:

The Suffolk and North East Essex Suicide Bereavement Service provides free support for those of all ages affected by bereavement, including first responders, family, friends, workplaces, schools and other settings. Two suicide liaison workers can provide help with all emotional and practical needs for recent as well as historical incidents (there is no time limit).

Referrals can be made by the bereaved individual or by a third party on their behalf by filling in the forms below and emailing them to: [email protected]

Get more information about this service:

Suffolk Learning Disability Partnership provides a leaflet and easy read booklets on their website that can be downloaded/printed to support people with learning disabilities through a bereavement:

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) – a charity providing support to meet the needs and overcome the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide:

The Child Death Helpline is a freephone service for all those affected by the death of a child:

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other similarly bereaved family members who have suffered the death of a child or children of any age and from any cause:

  • tcf.org.uk
  • TCF National UK Helpline Tel: 0345 123 2304

The Lullaby Trust –a charity offering confidential bereavement support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child:

The Mix – a charity offering support and advice across the UK for those aged 25 or under:

The Silver Line – a free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year:

The Samaritans provide support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you:

WAY – a charity offering a peer-to-peer support network for anyone who’s lost a partner before their 51st birthday – married or not, with or without children, whatever their sexual orientation:

Winston’s Wish – a charity that supports bereaved children, young people, their families, and the professionals who support them across the UK. They provide in-depth therapeutic support in individual, group and residential settings, as well as a Freephone National Helpline, training for professionals and specialist publications: