The death of someone close is a major event in anyone’s life and there are no quick ways of adjusting.
NHS Lothian offers bereavement services: https://services.nhslothian.scot/bereavementservice/
These include the following:
- Providing advice and information on practical issues following bereavement, e.g. registering a death, arranging a funeral, etc.
- Providing booklets and other information resources.
- Developing bereavement information on the NHS Lothian public website and staff intranet.
- Signposting to sources of further advice and support in the community.
- Developing policies, procedures and guidelines for bereavement care.
- Supporting and advising staff in relation to bereavement care.
- Providing education within clinical areas and contributing to wider training programmes.
- Liaising with external agencies (such as registrars, funeral directors and the procurator fiscal) to ensure good communication and effective working relationships.
The services do not offer individual bereavement counselling.
There are services that can provide support see here (Printable pdf) Bereavement Support Useful Contacts Lothian
Third sector organisations offer a range of services, depending on the circumstances of loss:
Bereavement following stillbirth or neonatal loss – https://www.sands.org.uk/
SANDS is a charity which offers information and support and has a confidential free helpline. Other supports include local groups, an online community and bereavement information and resource.
CRUSE bereavement care – http://www.crusescotland.org.uk/
CRUSE is a national bereavement charity which gives information on bereavement, and offers support and individual counselling. It also offers specific support to parents, those experiencing traumatic loss and for military families.
Marie Curie – https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/hospice-care/edinburgh#help
Marie Curie offers support not only to patients who are terminally ill, but also their families. They offer a bereavement support group.
Child Bereavement – https://childbereavementuk.org/
This UK charity offers support to families when a baby or child of any age is dying, and also when a child is facing bereavement.
There is also much more useful information on Bereavement services on Intranet
For information on Child Bereavement see CAMHS/Bereavement
For more information for local services please see:
East Lothian – http://eastspace.org.uk/service/cruse-bereavement-care-east-lothian/
West Lothian – https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/bereavement-advice
