Christmas can be an incredibly difficult time if you’re coping with the loss of a loved one. Feelings of grief can be raw and painful whether you’re recently bereaved, or the Festive Season coincides with the anniversary of a special person’s death several years ago.

This is because the Christmas holiday contains so many potential trigger points. From the smell of Yuletide food to the sight of a wreath on someone’s front door, memories of the person no longer with us can quickly overwhelm, as we’re hit with a wave of sadness and longing.

And while it’s not possible to stop you missing someone, it’s important to remember that a range of amazing organisations are on hand to provide help and support, with expertise across a variety of bereavement needs and situations. They’re specialists at helping people to come to terms with loss and find ways of dealing with their feelings.

This Christmas, we hope you are able to enjoy a peaceful holiday and allow fond memories of a friend or relative to put a smile upon your face – and perhaps even raise a glass in their honour if appropriate. However, if you’re finding the Season just a little bit too much, then please don’t hesitate to reach out to one of the charities below. They will be only too glad to assist.

Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK helps children, parents and families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. The charity supports children and young people up to the age of 25 who are facing bereavement, and anyone impacted by the death of a child of any age.

Winston’s Wish
Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and those who care for them.

SAIF Care
SAIF Care is available to all bereaved people under the care of SAIF funeral directors (including H. Porter & Sons) and provides a helpline, email and webchat support which are free, confidential and provided by professional bereavement counsellors.

Cruse Bereavement Support
Cruse Bereavement Support offers support through its website, national helpline, live chat, group, zoom, telephone or one-to-one in person support and has a specially trained dedicated team of 4,000 bereavement volunteers.

Widowed and Young (WAY)
WAY is a national charity that supports people aged 50 or under when their partner dies. It’s a peer-to-peer support group operating with a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves, so they understand exactly what other members are going through.

Support After Suicide Partnership
The Support After Suicide Partnership strives to provide individuals who have been bereaved by suicide with appropriate and timely support.

Samaritans
Available day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.

Citizens Advice
Providing people with the knowledge and confidence they need to find their way forward – whoever they are, and whatever their problem.

  • Image courtesy of Chad Madden, Unsplash.