Whether sudden or expected, few life events have a greater impact on families than the death of a loved one and every individual makes copes with grief in their own way. Grief is normal; it is not an illness or something to simply ‘get over’ and many people require bereavement support throughout their life at different stages and for different reasons. There are no right or wrong emotions through these times, which can greatly range between anger, guilt, frustration, sadness and anxiety.
To get through this difficult time, you may find the support you need from people going through the same experience as you, perhaps at a local activity group, or a more structured therapy session.
You can also find more advice on Age Space’s page for for Dealing with Death & Grief.
Regardless of what helps you as an individual, you can find a list of bereavement support services in Norfolk on this page below.
Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital: Bereavement Office
The Bereavement Office at Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital is in place to offer advice, practical help and support for bereaved relatives in the period following the death of a loved one. They have a team of bereavement advisors who are there to provide support, as well as help on arrangements that need to be made, including:
- Collecting the medical certificate for the cause of death.
- Explaining the procedures for the registration of the death.
- Explaining the procedures for returning the deceased person’s property.
It is important to make an advance appointment to see an adviser, as they will arrange to have everything ready for you, thus avoiding any unnecessary wait.
You will be able to contact them by telephone on 01603 287165 or 01603 287166.
The Norfolk Hospice: Bereavement Support
The Norfolk Hospice’s bereavement support team uses a person-focused, empathic and non-judgemental approach to encourage bereaved people to adjust to their loss and reconnect with life.
An individual plan of care is agreed with the client and may can comprised of the following:
- Companionship and social support through the monthly coffee morning, the Friday Friendship Group, the Footsteps Walking Group or the Roots and Seeds gardening group.
- Emotional support through a series of one-to-one meetings with a trained and supervised bereavement support volunteer.
- A series of appointments with the UK Council for Psychotherapy accredited bereavement counsellors.
All families and carers over the age of 16 whose significant other accessed support from the Hospice are followed up by the bereavement team. The team also accepts referrals from other hospices, where the bereaved live in the local area.
- Telephone: 01485 601700
- Contact Form
- Visit Website
Cruse Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement is the leading national charity when it comes to care, support, advice and information for those who have lost a loved one.
They offer free face-to-face, group, telephone, email and website support throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information on what Cruse are able to offer you in Norfolk, you can get in touch through the contact details below.
- Telephone: 0808 808 1677
- Email: [email protected]
- Visit Website
The Big C: Norfolk Support Groups
The Big C support group is for people bereaved through cancer. The group is facilitated by a counsellor and is usually at least three months after the bereavement, when the immediate shock and impact of loss has been experienced.
There are Support Centres across Norfolk in Norwich, King’s Lynn and Great Yarmouth. You can visit the website or get in touch with them for more details.
Norwich: Big C Support Centre
- Address: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Colney Lane, Norwich, NR4 7UY
- Telephone: 0800 092 7640
- Email: [email protected]
King's Lynn: Big C Support Centre
- Address: 17-19 Railway Road, King’s Lynn, PE30 1NF
- Telephone: 0800 092 7640
- Email: [email protected]
Great Yarmouth: Big C Support Centre
- Address: 25 Regent Street, Great Yarmouth, NR30 1RL
- Telephone: 0800 092 7640
- Email: [email protected]
BACP Councelling
Talking is important! The BACP, or, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is the professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. Through their website, you can search for local, registered counsellors that provide bereavement counselling.
