Bereavement support

When someone close to you has died, there is a natural period of sadness and loss. You are likely to experience a range of emotions from shock, relief, guilt to grief, possibly for a long time afterwards. These are all normal reactions.

You will need time to get used to the loss of your relative or friend and adjust to a new routine. Don’t make any quick decisions about changes to your life, such as moving house, as you may regret them later on. Wait until your grief is less strong.

Getting support when you’re grieving

There are a number of organisations that offer information and emotional support following the death of a loved one:

Citizens Information

Citizens Information has helpful information on its website that is short and easy to read.

It also has a useful booklet Bereavement: A practical guide. This will take you through many of the practical issues following a bereavement, such as organising the funeral, registering the death, legal issues and sorting out finances. It also has a section on counselling and support. Call 0818 07 4000 for a copy of the booklet.

Contacting Citizens Information

Phone: 0818 07 4000
Website: http://www.citizensinformation.ie
Find your local office here: http://centres.citizensinformation.ie

Irish Hospice Foundation

As well as providing palliative nursing care to terminally ill patients, the Hospice Foundation provides information on bereavement and coping with loss on its dedicated website, www.bereaved.ie. This covers a range of topics including types of grief, children's bereavement and grief in the workplace.

You can also find plenty of information on the Hospice Foundation's website, www.hospicefoundation.ie. The Foundation also runs workshops for professionals and volunteers who may wish to learn more about loss and bereavement, or for those working with people who have experienced a major loss. Look up 'Bereavement Workshops' on www.hospicefoundation.ie

If your loved one has died in a hospice, ask the staff about bereavement services that may be available to family members.

Contacting the Irish Hospice Foundation

Bereavement Support Line: 1800 80 70 77
Email: info@hospicefoundation.ie
Web: www.hospicefoundation.ie

Bethany Bereavement Support

This is a community and parish-based service, with branches throughout the country.

Visit the website to find your local branch and contact details.

Counselling and psychotherapy services

If you are finding it difficult to cope with your feelings after a bereavement, speaking to a professional such as a psychotherapist or other mental health professional may help.

Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP)

The IACP provides a list of registered counsellors in Ireland according to county, qualification and areas of interest.

Phone: (01) 230 35 36
Website: www.iacp.ie

Irish Association of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy

Humanistic and integrative psychotherapy believes that individuals are fundamentally responsible for themselves and seeks to help people who are in crisis and/or are searching for meaning and purpose in life.

Phone: 01 284 1665
Email: admin@iahip.org
Website: http://iahip.org

Psychology services

Many people find it difficult to motivate themselves after the death of a loved one or they may notice how they think or act changes. Psychologists can help address these feelings.

Psychological Society of Ireland provides list of psychologists in Ireland

Phone: 087 387 7179
Website: www.psychologicalsociety.ie