The death of someone close is a major event in anyone’s life and there are no quick ways of adjusting. Bereavement is one of the most painful things we can experience, and grieving can feel overwhelming. It’s normal and common to feel worried, angry, distraught and frightened. Many people expect grief to last weeks or a few months, when it is actually common for feelings to last years. It can help to highlight that grief often takes longer than expected to normalise this.
There is some useful information for patients on NHS Inform Bereavement and grief self-help guide | NHS inform
The NHS Lothian bereavement service offers support and advice, but does not offer individual bereavement counselling. This includes:
- 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 contribute 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.
Please note, this service does not offer individual bereavement counselling.
Many people will find support to manage their grief from those that know them best. Some people benefit from a supportive, safe and confidential space with a counsellor to make sense of their thoughts and feelings. Cruse Bereavement Support accept self-referrals for professional support and counselling. Occasionally, someone may experience a prolonged grief response, which can start some time after a loss. Where this presents with co-morbid symptoms of a depressive, anxiety or trauma disorder (such as PTSD) for more than a year, is not improving over time, and impacts on daily functioning, it may be helpful to consider a referral to NHS psychological therapy services
C.M. & L.B.
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.
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.
For more information for local services please see:
Edinburgh – https://ithriveedinburgh.org.uk/services/bereavement-service-nhs-lothian/
East Lothian – Eastspace | Bereavement and grief
Midlothian – https://midspace.co.uk/self-help/self-help-guides-resources/bereavement-and-grief/ West Lothian – https://www.westlothian.gov.uk/bereavement-advice
