A guide to supporting someone who is bereaved

A guide to supporting someone who is bereaved includes families supported by Child Bereavement UK alongside bereaved celebrities including Mary Berry, Rio Ferdinand, Marina and Ben Fogle, Joey Essex, and Jason Watkins, sharing their 'dos and don'ts' and practical tips around how to about support someone who is bereaved.

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Claire

Claire shares what she’s gained from volunteering at the Day to Remember events in Glasgow.
Moving house when you are bereaved

It’s well known that moving house can be a very stressful time, whatever the circumstances. Moving house when you’re grieving or have been bereaved, however, can come with particular challenges.
I’ve got my own place

You can join our amazing team of fundraisers by taking part in any type of challenge.
Run the 2025 London Marathon

Run for Child Bereavement UK with your ballot place or apply for one of our charity places.

Support for families

This film features children and their families who have attended Child Bereavement UK's Family Support Group in East London.
When a baby is stillborn

"Once you start to talk about things it's like the burden is being lifted." Marina and Ben Fogle share their experience of when their son, Willem, was stillborn.
Parenting bereaved children

Parents talk about some of the issues they faced when looking after bereaved children, whilst grieving themselves, and what helped them.
When someone dies through suicide

Melissa and Katherine and their families were supported by Child Bereavement UK after being bereaved by suicide.
When a twin baby has died

"I can wear the identity of being a bereaved parent rather than hide it." Vicky and John share their experience of when their twin baby, Cecilia, was stillborn.
Why support is needed

Bereaved families we have supported talk about what helped them after the death of someone important in their life.
When a parent has died

Young people we have supported talk about some of the difficulties they faced and what helped them after the death of their mum or dad.
One More Minute campaign

Hear what bereaved families would say if they had one more minute with their special person who has died.

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they can show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.
Children's understanding of death at different ages

Guidance on children's understanding of death at different ages and stages of development.
Grieving for a child of any age

The agony of losing a child of any age is unparalleled. There is no age or point in time that makes it any easier. No parent expects to face the death of their child and no grandparent expects to lose their grandchild.
When a grandparent dies

The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies. There is the grief associated with their own loss, but also the reactions and responses of their children to the death of a grandparent.
Child Bereavement UK training

Child Bereavement UK designs and delivers training for professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
Contact us

Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.
When your baby dies

When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, people may assume that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
UK death & bereavement statistics

A parent of children under 18 dies every 20 minutes in the UK; around 26,900 a year.
For adults bereaved as children

How being bereaved as a child can affect your life as an adult and where you can find support.

Short guidance films

Short films delivered by our support practitioners giving guidance on a range of bereavement topics. Read more

Books and resources

A list of books and resources relating to grief and bereavement and what may help. Read more

Others' experiences

Watch short films and read experiences of bereaved families and how support has helped them. Read more