INFORMATION SHEET
Bereavement
Updated 16th February 2017
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If you have any questions or need further information, please call
Suffolk Family Carers Information Line on 01473 835477.
Grief can knock you emotionally, physically and mentally. We hope the following information
may be of some support with the loss you are experiencing. It is based on practical and
emotional support Family Carers have told us they found useful, or wish they had known
about sooner.
Grief can overwhelm us all is so many ways. Intense emotions, numbness, or simple
acceptance can be confusing and distressing, especially if our reactions are not the reactions
we anticipated…..
‘It didn’t seem real, I just felt numb’
‘I felt relieved he didn’t have to suffer anymore, but guilt about being relieved’
‘One minute I was fine and the next I was over whelmed again’
‘I felt really angry, why did she leave me?’
‘I seem to feel exhausted all of the time’
‘Sometimes I woke up and I didn’t care if I lived or died’
Looking after yourself -You are important.
Remember – the importance of eating and sleeping well
Try and say Yes – to any help offered by friends
Don’t Rush – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything that needs doing
Try not to hide your feelings – Talk about the person you have lost with your family and
friends.
Don’t isolate yourself – Take up those social opportunities in your neighbourhood, or offered
by family and friends.
Exercise - keeping yourself busy helps, as long as you relax and allow space for you.
Take things at your own pace. The vast majority of people find their way naturally through
this very difficult time, but some people, however strong they may be still need help.
Information Line 01473 835477
Units 6 & 8 Hill View Business Park, Old Ipswich Road, Claydon, IP6 0AJ
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.suffolkfamilycarers.org
Suffolk Family Carers Registered Charity No. 1069937
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Support
Cruse Bereavement Care
Helpline – 0808 808 1677 - www.cruse.org.uk also www.suffolkcruse.co.uk
Information and support, groups and one to one support also available in some areas
The East of England Co-Op
Call 01206 797196 for information on local groups and one to one service
www.eastofengland.coop/funerals/bereavement-support
Some other local Funeral directors also offer bereavement support.
St Nicholas Hospice – Bury St Edmunds area
*Bereavement Support Group* ‘Stepping Forward’ Walking Group *Bereavement activity
groups such as cooking, DIY and arts and crafts, which consist of four sessions over three to
four months. Some -one to one support may be available
For more information about St Nicholas Hospice bereavement groups please get in touch by
calling 01284 715572 or email [email protected].
St Elizabeth Hospice - Ipswich and Waveney areas
For Bereavement support please contact main number 01473 727776 Ipswich area and
01493 690990 for Waveney Area
Suffolk Bereavement Support
Offering therapeutic group support to the recently bereaved or those coping with a delayed
reaction to loss
•Small structured groups of between 5 and 10 meeting fortnightly - afternoon or evening
•Attendance for a set period, which may vary depending on individual need
Telephone: 01206 299832 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sbsg.eu
Samaritans
If you feel you need to talk to someone now, don’t suffer alone ring free on 116 123
whatever you are going through call anytime (you do not need to be suicidal – Samaritans
Information Line 01473 835477
Units 6 & 8 Hill View Business Park, Old Ipswich Road, Claydon, IP6 0AJ
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.suffolkfamilycarers.org
Suffolk Family Carers Registered Charity No. 1069937
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are there for us all in times of emotional need) available 24 hours a day 365 days of the
year.
The Bereavement Trust - National Helpline – 0800 435 455
Our trained volunteers offer comfort, support and practical advice to the bereaved from
6pm until 10pm. If the line is engaged, please ring 0800 9177 416
Some other useful information and support can be found on;www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/when-caring-ends/bereavement
www.macmillan.org.uk/information-and-support/coping/at-the-end-of-life/afterdeath/bereavement.
www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/bereaved-family-friends/dealing-grief
www.ssafa.org.uk/help-you/veterans/help-loss-loved-one - if you or your loved one was in
the armed forces
www.tcf.org.uk - Compassionate Friends – Support after the death of a child of any age
winstonswish.org.uk/- The charity for bereaved children 08088 020 021
Practicalities
Bereavement Register
Coming to terms with the loss of a loved one takes time and you will want to remember the
good times with fondness and not be bombarded by direct mail sent to someone who has
recently passed away. Mail of this kind serves no purpose and we can help put an end to those
sad reminders.
Telephone: 020 7089 6403 www.thebereavementregister.org.uk
You and your Finance
Here are some useful telephone numbers of organisations that can offer you support.
Citizens advice Bureau – 03444 111 444 - advise on benefit entitlement, debt problems, law
etc
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Probate and inheritance Tax helpline: 0300 123 1072 - www.gov.uk
Age UK have excellent source of information 0800 169 2081
Information Line 01473 835477
Units 6 & 8 Hill View Business Park, Old Ipswich Road, Claydon, IP6 0AJ
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.suffolkfamilycarers.org
Suffolk Family Carers Registered Charity No. 1069937
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How we can help you
We continue to support you for up to one year, offering you information and advice to guide
you in ‘finding your way’ following your bereavement. We can put you in touch with specialist
organisations that can support you if needed.
Looking to the future
Remember planning ahead gives you something to aim for. Maybe you would like to consider
a holiday, becoming more involved in your local community, or learning about something
new.
Moving Forward – is an ActivLives project for people who are no longer caring to find practical
ways forward, based on the particular areas of life that can have the greatest impact in helping
people move on. For further information contact Judy Rainer or Julie Seager - Activlives on
01473 345350 [email protected]
Your local library and Suffolk Infolink 01473 265265 www.suffolk.gov.uk/infolink - will help
you find details of all social and recreational clubs, societies and courses in your area.
Volunteering
Volunteering can offer new challenges, build self-confidence and give a real sense of
achievement. It can also be a great way to meet new people and be really good fun!
There are many opportunities for volunteering with Suffolk Family Carers, where you can use
your experience and expertise as a family carer to help others.
If you would like to discuss volunteering with Suffolk Family Carers, please call us on 01473
835450 or go on our website and fill in online form http://www.suffolkfamilycarers.org.
To find out about the many and varied volunteering opportunities with other organisations
across the county call Community Action Suffolk 01473 345400 or go to your local volunteer
centre.
Please see our Info Sheet ‘What to do after someone dies’ for further practical
information.
Call Suffolk Family Carers
To discuss this topic further or talk in general about how caring affects you.
Our friendly advisers are here to help!
Tel: 01473 835477 or email: [email protected]
Open Monday – Friday 9.00 – 5.00 (and Tuesday evening until 7.30pm)
Accessibility: Do you need to access this information in a different format?
Please let us know!
Information Line 01473 835477
Units 6 & 8 Hill View Business Park, Old Ipswich Road, Claydon, IP6 0AJ
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.suffolkfamilycarers.org
Suffolk Family Carers Registered Charity No. 1069937