Bereavement Support and Resources
Grieving the loss of a loved one can bring overwhelming emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, and distress. While many individuals find comfort and support from family and friends, additional assistance is available through various organisations offering bereavement services.
These services include:
Helplines
Bereavement self-help resources
Support for individuals affected by suicide loss
Counselling services
Support can be accessed in a way that best suits your needs, with many organisations providing both online and in-person options.
Helplines for Bereavement Support ROI
Source www.hse.ie
Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line
A confidential space for individuals to discuss their grief or seek guidance following the loss of a loved one.
Freephone 1800 807 077 — Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
hospicefoundation.ie
Barnardos Helpline
Provides bereavement support and information for children and families.
Phone 01 473 2110 — Monday to Thursday, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
barnardos.ie
Childline (ISPCC)
Ireland’s 24-hour listening service for young people up to the age of 18. Trained staff and volunteers provide support through calls and online chat.
Freephone 1800 666 666 — Available anytime
Chat online: childline.ie
Pieta
Offers free individual counselling, therapy, and support for those bereaved by suicide, as well as individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts.
Freephone 1800 247 247 — Available anytime
Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
pieta.ie
Samaritans
Provides emotional support to individuals experiencing distress or in need of someone to listen without judgment.
Freephone 116 123 — Available anytime
Email: jo@samaritans.ie
samaritans.org
Text About It
A free, 24/7 text-based support service for mental health and emotional well-being.
Text HELLO to 50808 for an anonymous conversation with a trained volunteer
textaboutit.ie
Widow.ie
A support platform with self-help resources for widows, widowers, and bereaved life partners.
Support for Bereaved Parents and Families
Anam Cara
Provides support and information evenings across Ireland for parents coping with the loss of a child.
Féileacáin
Supports individuals affected by the death of a baby during or after pregnancy.
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland
Provides information for bereaved parents and healthcare professionals regarding pregnancy and infant loss.
FirstLight
Offers crisis intervention and free professional counselling for families who have experienced the sudden loss of a child up to 18 years old.
A Little Lifetime Foundation
Provides information and support to bereaved parents and families.
Support for Bereaved Children
Barnardos
Specialist bereavement service for children and young people, offering guidance on grief and free e-books.
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network
Provides guidance and resources for coping with grief in children and families.
Rainbows Ireland
Supports children and young people coping with bereavement or parental separation.
Support for Those Bereaved by Suicide
HUGG
A peer-led support network for adults over 18 who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Pieta
Provides free counselling and therapy for those affected by suicide loss.
Freephone 1800 247 247 — Available anytime
Text HELP to 51444 (standard message rates apply)
pieta.ie
Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service
A free, confidential service offering support and guidance to families coping with a suicide loss. Liaison officers assist with practical concerns and help connect bereaved individuals to therapeutic services.
This service is provided by the following organisations:
pieta.ie (Nationwide)
Resources for Children Bereaved by Suicide
Safe Harbour
An illustrated storybook designed to help children understand and process the loss of a loved one due to suicide. It includes additional resources to help adults support grieving children.
Available online in English and Irish at childhoodbereavement.ie. A printed copy of the book and guide can also be ordered.
Clare Suicide Bereavement Support
Offers support to individuals, families, and communities in Clare affected by suicide loss.
claresuicidebereavementsupport.com
Accessing Counselling Services
For those considering professional counselling, a general practitioner (GP) can provide advice and referrals.
Free counselling for medical card holders: Adults over 18 with a medical card can access counselling through the National Counselling Service (NCS) with a GP referral.
Private counselling: Qualified bereavement specialists can be found through the following professional bodies:
Helplines for Bereavement Support NI
There is a new bereavement support website for Northern Ireland. https://bereaved.hscni.net/
Some additional resources include
https://bereaved.hscni.net/helplines/
Cruse Bereavement Care https://www.cruse.org.uk/
A national charity that offers support by phone, email, and online. You can call Cruse at 0808 808 1677.
Lifeline (Northern Ireland) https://www.lifelinehelpline.info
You can call Lifeline at 0808 808 8000.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide https://uksobs.com/
A self-help group that offers support to people who have lost someone to suicide. You can call them at 0300 111 5065.
Barnardo’s Child Bereavement Service https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services/child-bereavement-service-general
Offers support to adults who are concerned about a bereaved child or young person.
The Loss Foundation https://thelossfoundation.org/
Offers support to people who have lost someone to cancer. They offer free support groups, workshops, and a peer connection service.
Samaritans
You can call Samaritans at 116 123 to talk about anything. You can also email them at jo@samaritans.org. https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/
Marie Curie’s Telephone Bereavement Support Service
You can be matched with a trained volunteer to have regular bereavement support sessions over the phone. You can also contact them online or by email. 0800 090 2309
https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/information/grief/