Bereavement
The state of having experienced the death of someone.
Understanding your emotions
Grief
The emotional, psychological, physical, spiritual and social response to loss.
Anticipatory grief
Grief experienced before an expected death.
Delayed grief
Grief that is felt some time after a loss, rather than immediately after it happens.
Help through grief
Whether you'd like to talk one-to-one with a qualified counsellor or connect with others in a group, we're here for you.
We offer up to 12 counselling sessions, and these are usually fortnightly appointments. After your sessions end, you can continue to access support through our Bereavement Café.
Practical guidance and support
What to do when someone dies
Download our guide for clear, practical advice on what to do after someone dies.
Memorial service
Inviting family and friends to come together and remember their loved one.
Dealing with bereavement
Grief rarely follows a neat path. Most people move in and out of different emotions rather than progressing through clear stages.
These five approaches tend to help people cope in healthier and more sustainable ways over time.
- Accepting that grief may feel different from one day to the next.
- Keeping small routines in place, such as eating regularly, getting outside and getting enough rest.
- Talking – when you feel ready – to family, friends, a counsellor, faith leader or support group
- Recognising that grief can include other losses, such as lost routines, plans, relationships or a sense of identity.
- Finding meaningful ways to stay connected to the person who has died, through memories, traditions, photographs or special activities
Delayed grief
Grief is highly individual, and delayed responses are more common than many people realise.
It can be helpful to re-frame this as ‘grief arriving when the person has enough emotional safety or capacity to feel it.’ This helps to reduce feelings of shame for people who think things such as ‘I should be over this’ or ‘I didn’t react properly when it happened.’
- Emotional symptoms: sudden waves of sadness or crying; guilt or regret; anxiety; feeling emotionally stuck.
- Psychological symptoms: intrusive memories; difficulty concentrating; rumination / ‘what if’ thinking; feeling detached from others.
- Physical symptoms: fatigue, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, reduced motivation, low energy.
- Behavioural symptoms: overworking; withdrawal from others; emotional shutdown; difficulty discussing the deceased.
Remember and celebrate a loved one
Many families find comfort in creating a lasting tribute in memory of someone special.
Explore ways to remember a loved one while helping others receive the care and support they need.
In memory
Explore ways to remember a loved one while helping others receive the care and support they need.
Additional support
Stafford & District Bereavement & Loss Support Service (SDB & LSS) – for adults living in Stafford and the surrounding area.
Windmills – for children and young people
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