
Covid-19 support
Losing someone you love will be one of the most difficult experiences in a person’s life, no matter the circumstances.


During the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, restrictions and physical isolation has affected the ways we are allowed to mourn.
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What's on this page
Introduction
Many people find themselves isolated from family and friends who would normally provide support and comfort in the time following a bereavement. If the person who was bereaved was living together with their loved one who died, not being able to leave the place that is so full of memories can be very painful.
Physical isolation and home working do not only create barriers for someone who has been bereaved to receive support from family, friends and colleagues, but it can also make it more difficult for you and your colleague’s Line Manager to see how they are coping and might limit the kinds of support you are able to offer.
Further advice and guidance on ways to support a colleague who has been bereaved can be found under the HR section 'Supporting bereaved employees'.
Although the pandemic situation is ever changing, there are a number of resources providing guidance on how to support someone who is coping with bereavement during this time. Please see the list below.
It is also important to remember that your staff (eg Line Managers or Mental Health First Aiders) who are supporting colleagues who have been bereaved, could themselves be in need of additional support and counselling.
Many of the resources below and in our Useful Resources section, such as the confidential helplines and online forums, can help both colleagues supporting others as well as people directly affected by bereavement.
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Dying Matters
Our Dying Matters resources offer general advice for adults and children on talking about dying, as well as bereavement support. Visit our website to access our range of resources.
Caring for your dying relative at home with COVID-19
Hospice UK Vice President Professor the Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, FRCP FRCGP FMedSci FLSW FHEA Hon Professor of Palliative Medicine, Cardiff University and Bevan Commissioner, has authored guidance to help support people who are caring for someone who is dying at home from COVID-19 infection.
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Local Hospices
A number of local hospices are offering bereavement services to support people in their communities affected by the pandemic. Find your local hospice to learn more about what is available in your area.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Visit the ‘Coronavirus, bereavement and grief’ webpage for information on topics such as grieving in isolation, traumatic bereavement, funerals and memorials and supporting children and young people.
British Psychological Society
Visit the British Psychological Society’s website to access ‘Coping with death and grief during Covid-19’ – a resource about helping yourself and others to cope with death and grief, at a time when many people are experiencing the loss of a friend or family member due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Good Grief Trust
The Good Grief Trust’s coronavirus bereavement advice webpage provides links to charities, support services and helplines that offer dedicated advice and information.
What to do when someone dies during the COVID-19 pandemic
The bereavement support section of this guide, published by the Cabinet Office, includes sources of support for LGBT and BAME communities.
Marie Curie – Funerals and coronavirus
Visit Marie Curie’s ‘Funerals and coronavirus’ webpage for the latest government guidance on planning a funeral or wake, the number of people who can attend and advice on staying safe at a funeral.
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Hospice UK's Just 'B' Counselling and Trauma Helpline
The Hospice UK Just ‘B’ helpline sees specially trained Just ‘B’ staff and volunteers at St Michael’s Hospice offer emotional wellbeing, bereavement and trauma support nationally to NHS, care sector staff and emergency service workers. The helpline is available seven days a week, 8am-8pm.
Telephone number: 0300 303 4434Our Frontline
Our Frontline is a partnership between Shout, Samaritans, Mind, Hospice UK and The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. It offers frontline workers round-the-clock one-to-one support, by call or text, from trained volunteers, plus resources, tips and ideas to look after your mental health.
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Childhood Bereavement Network
Tips and guides on supporting bereaved children and young people during the pandemic, along with advice on staying connected and coping with funerals.
Winston’s Wish
Advice and guidance from Winston’s Wish on supporting children through coronavirus, including information on topics such as telling a child someone is seriously ill or has died from coronavirus, how schools can support bereaved students and how to say goodbye if you can’t attend a funeral.
Winston’s Wish also offer support to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities when dealing with the death of a parent or sibling.
Keeping in touch when you can't be with someone
Visit the National Bereavement Alliance website to access ‘Keeping in touch with someone who is so ill they might die’. This guide suggests ways that you and your loved one can feel closer together, even at a distance.
These ideas are intended to help whether or not there is a hope that they will recover. The guide includes ideas for both children and adults.