Grief affects everyone differently, and there's no right way to feel. You don't have to cope on your own. These charities offer free, confidential support, whether the death was expected or sudden, recent or years ago.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999
Talk to someone now
Samaritans
Call 116 123, free, any time, day or night. For anyone who is struggling to cope. samaritans.org
Cruse Bereavement Support
Call 0808 808 1677, free. Support for anyone who has been bereaved, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. cruse.org.uk
Cruse Scotland
Call 0808 802 6161, free. crusescotland.org.uk
Marie Curie Support Line
Call 0800 090 2309, free. For anyone affected by terminal illness or bereavement. mariecurie.org.uk
Support for children and young people
Child Bereavement UK
Call 0800 02 888 40, free. Support for children and young people who are grieving, and for families who have lost a child. childbereavementuk.org
Winston's Wish
Support for grieving children, young people and the adults caring for them. Their helpline is also 0800 02 888 40. winstonswish.org
When a baby or child has died
Sands
Call 0808 164 3332, free. Support for anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or after birth. sands.org.uk
The Compassionate Friends
Call 0345 123 2304. Support from other parents whose child has died, at any age. tcf.org.uk
Child Funeral Charity
Help with the cost of a funeral for a baby or child. childfuneralcharity.org.uk
When a partner has died
WAY Widowed and Young
Peer support for people whose partner died when they were young. widowedandyoung.org.uk
When someone has died by suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)
Call 0300 111 5065. Support from people who have been bereaved by suicide themselves. uksobs.com
Finding support near you
At a Loss
Search for bereavement support by who has died, how they died, your age and where you live. ataloss.org
The Good Grief Trust
Brings together bereavement services across the UK in one place. thegoodgrieftrust.org
Sue Ryder
Free online bereavement support, including an online community and grief counselling. sueryder.org
Help paying for a funeral
Funeral Expenses Payment
If you get certain benefits, the government may help with the cost of a funeral. Apply within six months of the funeral. gov.uk/funeral-payments
Quaker Social Action, Down to Earth
Free help for anyone struggling to pay for a funeral, including talking through the options and costs. quakersocialaction.org.uk
Turn2us
Search for grants and benefits you may be able to get. turn2us.org.uk
Royal British Legion
Call 0808 802 8080. Help for serving and ex-service people and their families, including after a death. britishlegion.org.uk
Child Funeral Charity
Help with funeral costs for a baby or child (see above).
Giving in someone's memory
Many families ask for donations to a charity instead of flowers. Most charities will set up an online page in the person's name, so friends and family can give. See our guide to donations instead of flowers.
Last checked: September 2026. Telephone numbers were checked with each charity. If a number has changed, please let us know.
Reviewed by the Arranging a Funeral team - September 2026.