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Bereavement

Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. It is characterised by grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through as we gradually adjust to the loss.

Losing someone important to us can be emotionally devastating - whether that be a partner, family member, friend or pet. It is natural to go through a range of physical and emotional processes as we gradually come to terms with the loss. See our page on experiences of grief for information about the types of feelings that are common during the grieving process.

Bereavement affects everyone in different ways, and it's possible to experience any range of emotions. There is no right or wrong way to feel. Feelings of grief can also happen because of other types of loss or changes in circumstances, for example:

  • the end of a relationship
  • the loss of a job
  • moving away to a new location
  • a decline in the physical or mental health of someone we care about.

Read more on supporting bereavement and young people here.

Support and advice

Mind

Mind in Milton Keynes offers a local bereavement by suicide service (Referral by Police or by Self-Referral)

Tel: 0300 330 0648 / Email

Harry’s Rainbow

Supports children and young people in the Milton Keynes and surrounding areas, who have been bereaved of a parent or sibling. As well as providing information and guidance on our website and social networking sites, we provide various bereavement support services. These include regular support groups, activities and trips, and individual tailored support, as appropriate. The website also provides a section for schools and making a memory box

Tel: 01908 061676 / Email 

National bereavement helplines

Child Bereavement UK – call 0800 028 8840 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email 

Cruse Bereavement Care – call 0808 808 1677 Monday and Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9.30am to 8pm, or email

Grief Encounter – call 0808 802 0111 Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm, or email 

Hope Again – call 0808 808 1677 Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, or email 

Winston's Wish – call 0808 802 0021 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email 

Good Grief - 0800 2600 400

SUDDEN - Supports people bereaved by sudden death.

Tel: 0800 121 6510 /  Email   

Open: Mon - Wed 10.00 to 14.00

Survivors of bereavement by suicide (SOBS)

Tel: 0300 1115 065 (09.00 – 21.00 Mon- Fri) /  Email

The Ollie Foundation

Delivering suicide awareness, intervention and prevention training by empowering professionals and young adults in their own communities to lead suicide prevention activities

Sands – The stillbirth and neonatal death charity. Support for any bereaved parents.

Tel: 0808 164 3332 / Email

Support and resources for school

The Educational Psychology Service (EPS) can be contacted to offer support to schools following a critical incident such as a bereavement in the school community or another traumatic event. The critical incidents page has further signposting to a range of information and resources to support Children and Young People, Families and Settings following a Bereavement or Critical Incident.

Information can be found under critical incident support.

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