Dealing with a loss

The death of a loved one or someone you know is often a very intimate and painful private experience. Being bereaved can be a lonely time and isolation due to the current situation can make it more difficult. 

How you can help yourself

Talking things through with friends and family can be very comforting. This can be done remotely if you or they are isolating. 

If you are feeling very distressed, share your feelings with someone you trust. If feelings persist your GP is usually the first port of call for access to more specialist services. At the present time there may be some additional delays if GPs are under pressure from the pandemic. You can also contact Cruse Bereavement Support (opens in a new tab) for advice on the next steps.

It can help to think of ways you can remember the person who has died and keep them as part of your life. This might mean keeping a few special possessions, creating a memory box or special album of pictures, or organising a time for family and friends to come together and remember.

How you can help another person

Try to stay in contact with bereaved friends and family (even if you cannot visit in person). Let them talk about how they are feeling and about the person who has died – talking can be one of the most helpful things after someone dies. If you are concerned that the person is finding things very difficult you could suggest they contact Cruse Bereavement Support (opens in a new tab) or their GP for further advice and support. 

Resources

(external sites open in new tabs)

Traumatic bereavement - Cruse - when someone dies it may be particularly traumatic for family and friends especially if you didn't have the opportunity to say goodbye in person.

When someone dies – Marie Curie - Losing somebody close affects everyone differently. Through work with the family and friends of those living with a terminal illness, Marie Curie has gathered a range of resources to help you cope emotionally as well as handle the practical side of losing someone close to you.

Child Death Helpline - The Child Death Helpline is staffed by volunteers, all of them bereaved parents. All volunteers are trained, supervised and supported by professional teams within Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. The helpline is a partnership between professionals and parents working together to provide a professional service to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age.