An extensive list of resources to help you navigate the turbulent world of bereavement - all in one handy place
I'm sorry that you're here and that you are reading this list to help cope with your own bereavement. I hope some of these resources help you to explore your grief, find solace and comfort and to some extent, heal.
Books
'Grief Works' by Julia Samuel. A wonderful wonderful book exploring grief within different relationships and circumstances. I particularly love Julia's '8 pillars of strength', where she recommends the 8 things we can benefit from having in our lives while we are grieving such as finding our own 'ways to express emotions'. Julia I feel is a pioneer in the world of grief. I would check our her website linked below to see what other work she has produced and her guidance through grief. As you can imagine I was pretty excited when she replied to my Instagram story mentioning her!
'The Beauty of What Remains' by Steve Leder. Rabbi 'Steve has learned over and over again the many ways death teaches us how to live and love more deeply by showing us not only what is gone but also the beauty of what remains'.
I recently discovered the Compassionate Friends Library a postal lending service with access to over 1000 books on grief, how amazing is that?! Check them out here
Taken from the Good Grief Festival's website check out their online bookshop with books centered around loss that they recommend below
Support groups
TNN Charity - 'The New Normal' now officially a registered charity providing in person (outside of lockdown) and currently online support groups for those experiencing grief in a variety of circumstances. They offer supports groups specifically for people who feel their grief is 'complicated', as well as their group 'Black and Brown Good Grief, a safe space for our black and brown grievers' and their group called 'Queer Good Grief a safe space for our grievers from the LGBTQ+ community'. Check out their work on the website below.
The Good Grief Trust
A wonderful organisation who offer virtual pop up cafes. Like TNN, they offer different groups for different types of grief and different members of the community. On their website they also offer resources on how to find grief support in your local area, resources on how to plan a funeral and recently backed the National Day of Reflection to remember those who have passed away since the first day of the UK's national lockdown.
Let's Talk About Loss
'We run meet ups across the UK for young people aged 18-35, projects and campaigns encouraging everyone to talk about grief'. Find your local meet up by clicking on the link below:
Podcasts
'The Grief Gang' by Amber Jeffrey. I do not know Amber personally but I have followed her for months as a resource of support in my own grief and have loved seeing her podcast and Instagram page grow from strength to strength. After losing her Mum Sue in 2016 she shares her story and the story of others who have lost their loved ones and are trying to navigate the world of grief as a young person.
‘Grief Cast’ by Cariad Lloyd, winner of Podcast of the Year 2018.
‘Terrible Thanks for Asking’ hosted by Nora McInery, focusing on the uncomfortable conversations about how we are feeling within our grief.
'The Art of Dying Well'. The podcast aims to 'make death and dying something we can talk about openly without discomfort or fear'.
'The Leftover Pieces' - featuring 'Suicide Loss Conversations'.
Instagram pages
There is a huge extensive array of wonderful Instagram accounts dedicated to the world of grief, you can find so much support out there if you just know where to look.
@grief_club
@griefkid
@thegriefcase
@grieftogloriousunfolding
@thegriefgang
@thegriefgirlonline
@feelingsueless
@sorryforyourlosspod
@thegriefworkout
@dididreamyou
@thelossunspoken
@beautifulgrief_
@one_hand_unheld
@thegirlwithgrief
@girlsgottaheal
@wellneverbethesame
@ashoulder2leanon
@whatsyourgrief
Websites / Bereavement Support Services
Below are some support services that offer a range of information and advice relating to bereavement.
At a Loss
Provides information and advice on bereavement and loss, and signposting to other bereavement support services. Includes advice and guidance on managing bereavement and grief during the Covid-19 pandemic. Offers a Griefchat service 9.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday where you can chat live to a trained bereavement counsellor.
NHS Bereavement advice and support during coronavirus.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/bereavement-advice-and-support/
Provides advice and guidance for those who have recently experienced Covid -19 bereavement, including practical information on registering deaths and arranging funerals.
Includes a telephone support line open 8.00am to 8.00pm Monday to Fridays.
Phone number: 0800 2600 400.
Sudden
Provides information and advice to those who have experienced a sudden bereavement including Covid-19. Offers telephone support from a named caseworker, aimed to provide support for the bereaved and for those caring for someone who has been bereaved.
Phone number: 0800 121 6510. Lines open 10.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Fridays.
Cruse Bereavement Care
A national organisation that provides online information and advice on bereavement and counselling support. Includes advice and guidance on managing bereavement and grief during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Cruse Bereavement Care Freephone National Helpline is staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement. Cruse also provide one to one counselling across their local services nationally.
SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide)
Provides information and advice for survivors of bereavement by suicide. They have a National helpline, call: 0300 111 5065 (9.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday). Email support service also available as well as an online forum offering peer -to -peer support. Access to local support groups also given.
Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/bereavement# for more information to access Marie Curie’s free helpline 0800 090 2309, online chat, book a call, and befriending call back services.
Tv Shows / Films
'After Life' starring Ricky Gervais, stream now on Netflix
'Finding Alice' starring Keeley Hawes, watch now on ITV Hub
'Esther Rantzen: Living with Grief' - Catch up now on Channel 5
'Wild' a film starring Reese Witherspoon, based on the autobiography with the same name by Cheryl Strayed.
Virtual Festival
The Good Grief Festival - For £20 you can catch up on this virtual festival which happened back in March, where you can access their multiple events, have on demand access to recordings of all festival events for 1 year, a subscription to The Grief Channel for 1 year featuring recordings from all previous festivals and events, and upcoming events as they happen
Activities
Karuna Cards: Creative Ideas to Transform Grief and Difficult Life Transitions. 'The Karuna Cards help by providing prompts and questions that can be used as starting points, in addition to suggesting therapeutic activities or ideas for simple meditations. Readers can respond to each card by doing the activity, writing in a personal journal or using the card in conversation with someone they trust'. Buy them now on Amazon, click the link below:
Well, I said it would be an extensive list so thank you if you have made it this far! I really hope that even just 1 thing on this blog I have shared today resonates with you and provides you with comfort.
There are so many other incredible resources out there, these are just some of my favourite or the ones I most access / recommend to my clients. What else would you add to this list?
If you are struggling with your own bereavement please get in touch today for an initial assessment for counselling sessions. You do not have to be alone.
Look after yourself today,
Kate
