All about: Bereavement, grief, faith and spirituality services and support
On this page, you will find information about the different kinds of support available for managing grief and loss. From local community groups to national counselling services, find the support that is right for you.
If you are looking for information about what to do immediately after a death, visit the Citizens Advice website: What to do after a death | Citizens Advice
Connected Kingston
Connected Kingston is a site dedicated to helping Kingston residents find local activities and navigate local services. Their directory can help you find services to support you with grief and bereavement, mental health, and more.
Local Services
Find local support services across London and within Kingston that can help support you through bereavement in a way that suits your needs.
The Man Shed
A service from Princess Alice Hospice, The Man Shed provides an alternative to more formal support and allows people to come together and spend time with others in similar situations.
The Man Shed is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for men and Tuesdays for ladies. To find out more and to book in, please email manshed@pah.org.uk.
Website: The Man Shed | Princess Alice Hospice
Support in the Community
Find your closest bereavement café or Walk & Talk, drop-in sessions are open to all bereaved people, regardless of how and where their loved one died.
Website: Support in the Community | Princess Alice Hospice
Saying Goodbye Project
The Saying Goodbye Project was launched in 2007 to support children and young people who have been bereaved of someone close to them, and who live or study in Kingston upon Thames, or have a Kingston GP.
Website: Saying Goodbye Project | Kingston Bereavement Support
Suicide Bereavement Support
Each experience of suicide is unique and personal. Whether you’ve lost someone you love, witnessed a death by suicide, or been affected in another profound way, Mind in West Central London can offer compassionate support tailored to your needs.
Website: Suicide Bereavement Support | Mind in West Central London
SLOW: Support for Bereaved Parents and Siblings
SLOW offers virtual and in-person peer support groups for bereaved parents and siblings when a child has died in the family.
Website: SLOW | Surviving the loss of your world
Compassionate Neighbours
Compassionate Neighbours are trained volunteers offering friendship and a listening ear, and providing regular emotional and social support to people in their local community who are lonely or socially isolated due to the effects of their own or a loved one’s long term or life limiting illness.
Website: Compassionate Neighbours | Princess Alice Hospice
Miscarriage Support
After a miscarriage, many people experience a deep sense of grief. Sometimes friends and family members have difficulty understanding this need and offering the space and support that is needed. Options provides one-to-one support using a sensitive recovery programme called Step by Step.
Website: Miscarriage Support | Options London
Places of Worship
Explore diverse places of worship across Kingston and beyond. Find churches, temples, mosques, synagogues and more.
National Services
National bereavement services can offer a range of support, including free online and telephone counselling, practical advice and connect you to communities with shared experiences.
Sue Ryder: Online Bereavement Support
Sue Ryder's Online Bereavement Support makes it easy to connect with the right support for you - whether that's information and resources, qualified counsellors or a community of others with similar experiences.
These services are free and easy to access on your computer, smartphone or tablet.
Website: Online Bereavement Support | Sue Ryder
Connected Kingston: National Services
Find the right support for you with this directory of national bereavement services offering support and advice from Connected Kingston.
Website: National Bereavement Services | Connected Kingston
Marie Curie Telephone Bereavement Support
A bereavement support service where you can talk openly about the things that are worrying you. You can access up to six telephone sessions of 45 minutes.
Information Services
Information services can offer a range of support, including guidance on practical matters and resources for dealing with the aftermath of loss.
At a Loss
At a Loss are signposting and information service for people who are bereaved and the professionals who support them. Find services of all types, including counselling, peer support groups, death cafes, information services, people that help with the legal stuff, support for bereaved children.
Website: At a Loss
Children's Bereavement Services
This page includes sources where families could get the support they need to rebuild their lives, when the child grieves or when a child dies.
Website: Children's Bereavement Services | Connected Kingston
Cruse
Cruse help people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.
Website: Cruse Bereavement Support
Bereavement Services and Support in Kingston - Community Engagement Report
Healthwatch Kingston (HWK) and Kingston Voluntary Action (KVA) were commissioned by South West London Clinical Commissioning Group to undertake some research into people’s experiences of bereavement services in Kingston.
Healthwatch Kingston and Kingston Voluntary Action adopted a community engagement approach, explored the lived experience of those accessing services/support, what mattered most when grieving and the intersection with culture, faith and language barriers.
Bereavement services can be offered through a range of individuals and providers, including those in the NHS, charity and voluntary organisations, through communities and other peer-led organisations, and in some circumstances, legal and corpo-rate services (including probate firms and funeral providers amongst others).
This report provides examples of local people’s experiences that they shared and covers the perspectives of community groups, bereavement services and health professionals on local provision within this triangulated report.
We were delighted with the collaborative approach to this research, and the valuable participation of respondents and of our partners in the NHS, charity and voluntary sectors and the community support we experienced.
