Grief is a very personal experience. We all deal with bereavement in different ways and it’s important to remember that there is no right or wrong way to cope with the loss of someone you love. 

For many of us, grief can be overwhelming. It often arrives in waves and we can feel a range of emotions following a loss. These can range from shock, anger and guilt to sadness, exhaustion and even relief in some situations. 

It’s important to remember that all of these emotions are valid. At times you may feel as though you are struggling to cope with your grief, which is when you may seek guidance and comfort. 

The good news is that there are a lot of places where you can go for help with your grief. You may not find the kind of care or reassurance that feels right straight away, and that is okay. 

There are many ways in which you can access bereavement support, so take some time to find the one that feels right for you. We’ve rounded up some of the places you can go for support following a bereavement. 

Cruse Bereavement Support

This charity’s mission is to create a world where everyone who is grieving receives the support they need, as well as being respected and understood. There are many ways to access help through Cruse Bereavement Support.

The charity runs a helpline that is staffed by volunteers who are trained in all types of bereavement. If you need someone to speak to, you can give them a call and talk about your experiences. 

Cruse Bereavement Support also has a number of local branches located throughout the UK where you can access both one-to-one and group sessions for grief support. 

There is also a great deal of information about bereavement, as well as different ways to cope with grief on the charity’s website that you may find valuable. 

National Bereavement Service

The National Bereavement Service is an excellent online resource that offers support with both the emotional side of bereavement and the practical elements that need to be handled when a loved one passes away. 

On its website, you’ll find a directory of all the bereavement organisations in the UK, some of which offer grief support in general and others of which are tailored towards specific kinds of losses, such as providing support with grief over the loss of a child, or the loss of a loved one by suicide.

There are also factsheets available on the website to help you better understand grief and how it might be affecting you, as well as to point you to other resources that can support you during this difficult time. 

The Good Grief Trust

This is a volunteer-run organisation designed to help you find the most appropriate support for you when you are struggling with grief. 

On the Good Grief Trust site, you’ll find over 1,000 UK-based charities and organisations that provide both national and local support to those who have experienced bereavement. 

If you aren’t sure where to start, this is a good resource to visit as it will introduce you to the many organisations providing bereavement support across the country and can help you find in-person support groups that are local to you. 

Other ways to help you cope with grief

As we’ve said, coping with grief is very personal. Some of you reading this may want to find ways to manage your grief on your own, as well as potentially seeking counselling or other external support. 

Spending time in nature can be helpful for some people. Going for a walk somewhere calm and peaceful is a good way to connect to the present and get some gentle physical exercise at the same time. 

We’ve found that our Green Burial Parks often become a sanctuary in themselves for those experiencing bereavement, because they provide a peaceful, serene space where you can connect to nature. 

Going for nature walks with others can also be a good way to maintain connections with your friends and family during what can often feel like an isolating time. 

There are certain exercises that can help you to process grief and release some of the stress that can build up in your body during this time. 

A simple grounding practice, for instance, where you root both your feet into the ground and take a moment to follow the 3-2-1 exercise can be helpful. This encourages you to identify three items you can see, two sounds you can hear and one physical sensation in your body.

Some people also find that keeping a grief journal is beneficial. Writing is a useful way to organise your thoughts and process your emotions during a challenging period of your life.