Two types of service are available to bereaved people. We distinguish between them by describing bereavement 'support' as a service usually delivered by trained volunteers who have themselves been bereaved, and bereavement 'counselling' as that provided by therapists or counsellors.

Not everyone uses these terms in quite the same way, however, so if you are approaching a bereavement service, be sure to enquire.

On this page we are looking at bereavement support. For information on bereavement counselling, click here.

Well-run bereavement support agencies ensure that their volunteers are carefully selected, receive on-going training and are supervised by professionals. They are trained to provide a listening ear, to facilitate people in talking about their experience and to support them in finding their way through their grief.

Internationally, bereavement support services delivered by volunteers have been found to work extremely well.

Where can I get bereavement support?

There are several organisations you may wish to contact.

• Firstly, if you have been bereaved through a hospice death, it is likely that a bereavement support service will be available in the hospice.
• The Bereavement Counselling Service (tel. 01-8391766 offers a volunteer-led bereavement support service.
• If you have been bereaved through suicide, you can contact Console at 01-8574300 or the National Suicide Bereavement Support Network (tel. 024-95561).
• Finally, the Samaritans (1850 609090) offer a 24-hour listening service.