Community support through bereavement and loss

Talking about death and dying can be tough. The resources below will help you, your family and friends to start the conversation.

Useful resources

• The Supporting Bereavement leaflet on the Dying Matters website provides some tips about how to have a conversation with someone who has been bereaved, along with some do’s and don’ts.
• The West Sussex Libraries Bereavement Support resource on the West Sussex County Council website brings together links to local and national bereavement services, library booklists for adults, teens and children, podcasts, wellbeing resources, and digital support.
• The Bereavement Guide on the West Sussex County Council website is a useful source of practical information, including sources of help and support.
• The Invisible Suitcase, a short animation on the Child Bereavement UK website can help bereaved children, young people and adults to understand grief and how to manage it.

Bereavement support

If you, or someone you know, need someone to talk to, the following organisations can help:

• Cruse West Sussex – helpline 0808 808 1677
• Winston’s Wish – offer support to those supporting bereaved children – helpline 08088 020 021
• Child Bereavement UK – provide support to bereaved children and families and those supporting them – helpline 0800 02 888 40
• Sudden – offer support when someone has died suddenly – helpline 0800 2600 400
• BAMESTREAM - bereavement support for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) adults who have been affected by the death of a loved one due to Covid-19
• Samaritans – helpline 116 123