Support and help for adults

Everyone manages grief in different ways, but the important thing is you're not alone. 

What to do when someone dies 

It can be overwhelming when someone close dies. So, we have put together some advice and resources to help guide you through this difficult time.  

GOV.UK provides a step by step guide on what you should do when someone dies. 

This includes: 

• registering the death 
• arranging the funeral 
• telling the government about the death 
• checking if you can get bereavement benefits 
• dealing with the estate 

To register a death in Redbridge, visit our page on how to register a death in Redbridge. 

Supporting someone who is grieving 

It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is grieving but the charity Dying Matters have suggested these tips on how to support someone who is grieving: 

• it's better to do something than nothing - to acknowledge loss rather than ignore it 
• look for invitations to talk from the other person. If they start talking about the person who has died, encourage them, even if it seems to make them upset 
• be comforting when opening up the conversation rather than business-like 
• try and create an environment where the person has the freedom to talk or not talk, according to what they want. For example, ‘I'm around all day if you fancy a chat...’ 

Support from community and faith organisations 

You may wish to reach out to your local community or voluntary organisation for support or you may wish to get in touch with your own local faith organisation.  

General bereavement support 

The NHS bereavement support pages offer advice and support. There are a range of services and organisations that can provide support and counselling if you have lost a loved one. These include both local and national services. 

MIND provides information on bereavement, where to go for support and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief. 

Cruse Bereavement Care offers telephone, email, face-to-face or group support. They also offer specialist bereavement support, like support for bereaved children and young people, and for people bereaved through suicide, drugs and alcohol, and Coronavirus. 

At A Loss signposts people to information and services appropriate to their loss using their search facility. They also offer a live chat bereavement counselling service. 

Bereavement Advice Centre offers a free helpline and web-based information services giving practical information, advice and signposting. 

National Bereavement Service offers support, signposting and legal guidance following a bereavement. 

Several hospices in Redbridge also offer comfort and support to the bereaved. 

Suicide 

MIND provides information on bereavement, where to go for support, and suggestions for helping yourself and others through grief. 

The Support After Suicide Partnership offers support for people who have lost a loved one to suicide. 

Cancer 

Macmillan Cancer Support charity offers support and information to those who have lost someone to cancer. 

Heart conditions 

British Heart Foundation offers end-of-life and bereavement support to anyone who has lost someone through a heart condition. They also offer specialist resources for children. 

Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) offers emotional support to those bereaved through Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), using volunteers who have suffered a similar experience. 

Alzheimer’s 

Alzheimer’s Society supports people with grief, loss and bereavement when it involves Alzheimer's disease.