Out-of-hours support

We provide confidential support, information and guidance to individuals, families and professionals throughout the UK. Our support team is available to respond to calls, Live Chat or email from 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). Please note, messages can be left via telephone, email or Live Chat and we will respond as soon as possible on our next working day.

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0800 02 888 40
Live Chat: via our website

These organisations can provide out of hours support

Organisation	Phone	Opening hours
Samaritans	Call: 116 123 Email: [email protected]	Usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
CALM Suicide support	Call: 0800 58 58 58	Usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Childline	Call: 0800 1111	Usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Cruse Bereavement Support	Call: 0808 808 1677	Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays, open until 8pm.
Cruse Scotland Bereavement support	Call: 0808 802 6161	Monday to Friday, open until 8pm.
Hopeline UK Suicide support	Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 078600 39967 Email:[email protected]	9am to midnight every day including weekends and bank holidays.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline	Call: 0800 689 5652	Open 6pm to midnight, 365 days a year.
Sands Baby loss support	Call: 0808 164 3332 Email: [email protected]	Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 6pm to 9pm.
SHOUT Text messaging support service	Text: 85258	Usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Compassionate Friends Support for bereaved parents and families	Call: 0345 123 23 04 Email: [email protected]	Usually open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Latest

When someone special dies | Leaflets

The information in this series of leaflets is designed to help young people to understand their feelings after a bereavement.
“Tell as many or as few people as you want...do what makes sense for you’’

Francesca was supported by Child Bereavement UK after her father died when she was 17. She shares her experience of starting university as a bereaved young person and telling people that she's bereaved.
Run with us at the Great North Run 2025

Take part in the biggest half marathon in the world and raise funds for Child Bereavement UK.
Philanthropy Officer (full time)

An exciting opportunity has become available for a talented and enthusiastic Philanthropy Officer to join a high performing and friendly fundraising team.

Supporting bereaved children and young people

Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they can show it in different ways. Find out how you can help them and more about child grieving.
Children's understanding of death at different ages

Guidance on children's understanding of death at different ages and stages of development.
Grieving for a child of any age

The agony of losing a child of any age is unparalleled. There is no age or point in time that makes it any easier. No parent expects to face the death of their child and no grandparent expects to lose their grandchild.
Child Bereavement UK training

Child Bereavement UK designs and delivers training for professionals in health and social care, education, the emergency services and the voluntary and corporate sectors, equipping them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families.
When a grandparent dies

The death of a grandparent is often a child or young person’s first encounter with the death of someone important. Parents have a great deal to manage when their own parent or carer dies. There is the grief associated with their own loss, but also the reactions and responses of their children to the death of a grandparent.
Explaining death and dying to children

Guidance for teachers and parents on talking to children about death and dying,
Explaining to a child that someone has died

Guidance on explaining to a child that someone has died.
Contact us

Contact details for our Helpline, departments and services.
When your baby dies

When a baby lives only a short time or dies before birth due to miscarriage, stillbirth or a painful decision to end the pregnancy, people may assume that the loss is not important. This is simply not the case.
For adults bereaved as children

How being bereaved as a child can affect your life as an adult and where you can find support.