You’re not alone. When you lose someone you love, the grief can be all-consuming.

Everyone is different and you’ll react to the loss in a way that is unique to you. But support is available. You might find it helps to talk with someone outside your immediate family or to someone who has been through a similar experience.

When you’re grieving it’s normal to feel disbelief, numbness, anger, physical and mental pain, guilt, depression and regret. Thinking you’re seeing or hearing someone who has died is also a common experience and can be both comforting and distressing. The old adage ‘time heals’ is true but the reality is that grief takes a different course for us all and sometimes we need a little help.

You can talk to religious ministers, hospital chaplains or people from organisations that help bereaved people. You could call one of the following:

Cruse helps anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Services are free to bereaved people. The charity provides support and offers information, advice, education and training services.

Day by Day Helpline : 08444 779400

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk or visit www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk

The Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

Telephone: 08457 909090

Email: jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org

The Child Bereavement Charity provides specialised support, information and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved.

Telephone: 01494 446648 or visit www.childbereavement.org.uk

The national charity supporting and representing people who seek to live good lives without religious or superstitious beliefs.

Telephone:  02070 793 580 or visit www.humanism.org.uk

Offering support to bereaved children, young people, parents and carers.

Telephone: 01258 837071

Email: info@mosaicfamilysupport.org or visit www.mosaicfamilysupport.org.uk