Bereavement support

Local bereavement support

Bereavement is a personal experience and can affect people in different ways. Losing a loved one can spark a range of emotions which you may need some help dealing with. These include may start with numbness or disbelief, followed by anger, depression, fear, guilt, loneliness, relief and a feeling of hopelessness. These are all common and people can experience them at various stages. This is all a natural reaction that allows us to begin to come to terms with our loss and adjust to the changes grief/loss brings to our lives. 

Coping with losing a loved one can be incredibly painful. It is important that you look after yourself: 

  • Be compassionate with yourself and take the space and time you need to grieve
  • Make time to sleep, rest and think as well as having time for friends and family
  • Don’t be pressed or push yourself into major decisions if possible – it’s important to do what works for you
  • Try to let children share your grief and encourage them to express their feelings. Talking, reading, drawing and playing games can be helpful. Encourage them to return to school and continue with their activities
  • Seek support

Being able to talk to someone can be a great comfort following the death of a loved one. Family and friends can provide much needed support, but if you don't live near them or perhaps aren't close or don't get on, this can make things feel worse. There are different groups and organisations, both locally and nationally, that you can turn to for additional support and you may find it easier to talk to someone who doesn't share your grief, but may have experienced something similar themselves.

If you live in Shropshire and you're struggling with the loss of a friend or a loved one, help is just a phone call away.

A trained advisor from Shropshire First Point of Contact team will listen and connect you to a local community offer. This service is for all ages. Call us on 0345 678 9028.

Suffered a bereavement and need to talk? Call 0345 678 9028.

If you prefer to self-refer directly to local community offers, here are more details available organisations waiting for your call:

Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin Suicide Bereavement Service

The suicide bereavement service is available to families, friends, colleagues and anyone living in Shropshire Telford and Wrekin who feels affected by a suicide and can help you find the path to the right support, understanding and recovery. The benefits of the service include:

  • Early contact
  • Home visits, phone or email contact
  • Support to manage the procedures that take place after a suicide
  • Help to access any other support you need
  • Practical and emotional support

We will accept referrals from anyone affected by death by suicide or suspected suicide or attempted suicide and feels our service can be of help. You can self-refer by contacting the number above or leaving contact details. Or someone can refer on your behalf if you have consented to this eg GP, Police, or other support services/agencies.

We aim to respond to enquiries and referrals within 72 hours.

Cruse bereavement

Our volunteers are trained in all types of bereavement, no matter how long you have been grieving. Talking to them can help you make sense of how you are feeling.

The National Helpline Number is 0808 808 1677

Local helpline: 01952 305555

Visit their website for support and information. You’re not alone.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide- (SoBS) Group

There are two groups in Shropshire, in Shrewsbury and Oswestry, providing opportunity for anyone aged 18 or older to talk confidentially with someone else who has been bereaved by suicide and to know that you are not alone in your experience. The group meets on the third Tuesday of every month. For more information please contact: 0300 111 5065 (open 9am-5pm Monday and Tuesday).  

Email:shrewsbury@uksobs.org for Shrewsbury group; oswestry@uksobs.org for Oswestry group.

You can also visit their website for more information.

Severn Hospice
  • Website
  • Call 01743 236565
  • Individual support
  • Group meetings – for relatives to share their experiences together
  •  Children and parents’ bereavement service which offers support to families
  • Practical help and advice

Support After Suicide

An online hub of information and guidance for anyone requiring additional guidance or support following a suicide death including:

  •  Emotional support
  • Helping someone else
  • Practical support
  • What to say
  • Support guides
  • Personal stories

The Samaritans

We listen, and help you talk about your worries and troubles.

We’ll focus on your thoughts and feelings rather than going into the details of what’s happened. We may ask you some questions to help you explore how you feel.

Sometimes people need to cry or show how angry they are at life, or go over their thoughts and feelings several times to make sense of them, and that’s fine.

Simply having someone to talk to can help. Sharing your troubles with someone who gives you time, attention and tries to see things from your point of view can be a relief and a comfort. In fact, just knowing someone is there in case you need them can make you feel better.

We are here for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Our number is free and won't show on your bill.  Call 116 123.

Support for children and young people

Crane Quality Counselling

For children and young people needing bereavement support Crane offers compassionate therapy for navigating the grief and loss journey. Crane specialise in the whole family including the new Young People support “TeenTalk”. We also provide outreach support to prevent disruption with school day.

For more details, or to make a referral please call our Pathways Administrator on 01743 272303.

Hope House Children’s Hospices Bereavement Counselling

Hope House offer up to 12 sessions of free counselling to close family members following the death of a baby (from 24+ weeks gestation) child or young person up to 18 years of age. 

There is no requirement for previous contact with the hospice. Support is offered from three months after the death and within 5 years. Support is available face to face in Oswestry, Shrewsbury, and Telford, also via Zoom or by phone. This service is also available to those living across Shropshire, in Cheshire, North and Mid Wales.

For more details, or to make a referral please call our Pathways Administrator on 01492 554443 
or via our dedicated email address – counselling@hopehouse.org.uk

Further information is available on their website.

Winston Wish

Provides opportunity for anyone aged 18 or older to talk confidentially with someone else who has been bereaved by suicide and to know that you are not alone in your experience.  

Immediate support resources for those bereaved or affected by suicide and for professionals supporting them

These resources have been written for those bereaved by suicide. The resources describe the common grief responses when someone is bereaved by suicide. They also provide contact details of organisations that provide guidance and support. They are free to download. Some provide printed copies free of charge.