Bereavement Advice

Bereavement Care

When someone you care about dies, you will usually experience some or all of the symptoms of grief. You may feel numb, angry, guilty and very sad. We all experience grief in different ways and it will take time to get over the feelings of loss which you have. The important thing is to realise that what you are feeling is normal and that it will get better. You will never forget the person who has died but eventually you will be able to think of them without it being too painful and you will be able to remember the times that made you happy.

When you grieve, the pain can sometimes feel so great that you may think that you will never get over it. These feelings can be particularly strong if the death was sudden or as a result of a suicide. The pain will ease with time but in the meantime you have to find a way to make your life more bearable.

Talking about how you feel and about the person who has died can be a great help. It is alright to cry or shout if this makes you feel better. Accept offers of help. Go out with your friends and don't feel guilty if you enjoy yourself, it does not mean that you care any less. Some people find counselling helps them to deal with what has happened.

Contact details of places to get help or info:

Access prayer resources

Such as ‘Prayer within the Home for use by a Lay Person in the Absence of a Priest’ via the Down and Connor Diocesan website.

Web: www.downandconnor.org/resources-funerals/

Cruse Bereavement Care

Northern Ireland Regional Office
Prince Regent Commercial Centre
8 Prince Regent Road
Belfast
BT5 6QR

Tel: (028) 9079 2419
Email: northern.ireland@cruse.org.uk
Web: www.cruse.org.uk

GriefChat

GriefChat is a safe space for grieving or bereaved people to be able to share their story, explore their feelings and be supported by a qualified bereavement counsellor. In addition to this, GriefChat can help bereaved people to consider if they need additional support and where to get this from.

Using GriefChat is free of charge and is open Monday-Friday 9am-9pm (UK time) to grieving or bereaved people.

If we're not online, you can still send us a message using the chat box and we'll reply as soon as we're back online.

Samartians

Tel: (028) 90664422
National Telephone: 08457 909090
Email Samaritans: jo@samaritans.org (UK and ROI)

Samaritans Belfast

5 Wellesley Avenue
Belfast
Northern Ireland
BT9 6DG

Usual hours open to receive callers at the door:
Every Day 9am - 10pm

Bethany Bereavement Support Group

Web: www.bethanyni.co.uk
or contact:
Claire Dowds
Good Shepherd Centre,
511 Ormeau Road,
Belfast,
BT7 3GS

Email: bethanybereavementni@gmail.com
Tel: 07557882183

PIPS

279-281AntrimRoad
Belfast 
BT15 2GZ

Tel: 028 9080 5850
Web: www.pipsprojectbelfast.com

Barnardos Northern Ireland

542 - 544 Upper Newtownards Road,
Belfast,
BT4 3HE

Tel: 028 9067 2366
Fax: 028 9067 2399
Web: www.barnardos.org.uk