Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Need to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order — from £95.
There is a significant range of free bereavement support available in the UK, from NHS Talking Therapies accessed via your GP, to national charities such as Cruse Bereavement Care and specialist organisations for children. You do not have to pay for professional support to deal with grief.
Grief can be overwhelming, and seeking support is one of the most important things you can do for your wellbeing. Many people assume that good bereavement support requires private therapy fees they cannot afford. In fact, the UK has a rich network of free, high-quality bereavement support — you simply need to know where to look. This guide maps out the main services, who they are for, and how to access them.
Your GP is usually the best first point of contact if you are struggling with grief. They can assess how your bereavement is affecting your mental and physical health and refer you to appropriate support — including NHS Talking Therapies (formerly known as IAPT: Improving Access to Psychological Therapies).
NHS Talking Therapies provides free, evidence-based psychological therapies for adults experiencing depression, anxiety, and bereavement-related conditions. The most common therapeutic approaches offered include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling for depression, and guided self-help. In most areas of England, you can also self-refer without going through your GP first — visit nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies to find your local service.
Waiting times vary significantly by region. In some areas, you may receive an initial assessment within two to three weeks; in others, the wait for ongoing counselling can be three to six months. While waiting, the resources below can provide meaningful interim support.
If you are in crisis:
If your grief has reached a point where you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please contact the Samaritans immediately on 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year) or go to your nearest A&E. You can also call 999 or NHS 111. Grief can temporarily overwhelm your capacity to cope — reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness.
Cruse Bereavement Care (cruse.org.uk) is the UK's largest and most established bereavement charity, providing free support to anyone who has been bereaved. Their services include:
Cruse's volunteers are trained bereavement supporters, not qualified psychotherapists, but the quality and consistency of their training is high. For many people, Cruse support is exactly what is needed; for those requiring more intensive clinical intervention, Cruse can also help signpost to appropriate services.
Note that Cruse Scotland (crusescotland.org.uk) operates independently and has its own helpline: 0845 600 2227.
Children and young people who have been bereaved have particular needs that are best addressed by specialists. Two organisations lead this work in the UK:
Winston's Wish (winstonswish.org) is a national charity supporting children and young people bereaved of a parent or sibling. They offer a helpline (08088 020 021, free), online support, family support weekends, and an extensive range of resources for parents, carers, and schools. Winston's Wish also has a specific programme for children bereaved by suicide.
Child Bereavement UK (childbereavementuk.org) supports both bereaved children and families, and also families who have experienced the death of a child. Their helpline is 0800 02 888 40. In addition to direct support, Child Bereavement UK provides extensive training for schools and healthcare professionals, making it a key resource if you are trying to help a child who has been bereaved.
Both charities are genuinely excellent and have substantial evidence-based programmes. If a child in your life is struggling with bereavement and you are unsure where to turn, either of these organisations is the right place to start.
Grief Encounter (griefencounter.org.uk) provides free bereavement support to children, young people, and their families. They offer one-to-one counselling, group sessions, and a helpline (0808 802 0111). Their Grief Chat service provides instant online support via text, which many young people find more accessible than telephone calls.
AtaLoss.org serves a different but vital function: it is a national directory of bereavement support services maintained by St Christopher's Hospice. Rather than providing direct support itself, AtaLoss allows you to search by postcode for bereavement support services in your local area — including services that are not nationally prominent but may be right on your doorstep. Many hospices, faith communities, and local charities provide excellent free bereavement support that you would simply not find without a localised search tool.
If you have a preferred faith tradition, your local place of worship may also offer pastoral bereavement support that is warm, consistent, and entirely free.
Sometimes the most helpful support comes from people who truly understand what you are going through — other bereaved people. The following online communities provide free, moderated peer support:
You do not need to be in crisis to seek support:
Bereavement services are not just for people in acute distress. Talking to someone in the weeks and months after a bereavement — when you may feel more like yourself but are still processing the loss — can be enormously valuable in preventing grief from becoming prolonged or complicated. There is no threshold of suffering you must reach before you deserve support.
The physical symptoms of grief and how bereavement affects the body. Fatigue, chest pain, immune system changes, and when to seek medical help.
How to cope with grief around anniversaries, birthdays, and significant dates. Strategies for managing difficult days and UK support services.
How to tell children about a death in age-appropriate ways. What children at different ages understand, words to use and avoid, and UK support resources.
How to return to work after bereavement. Phased return rights, communicating with your employer, managing colleagues' reactions, and support available.
How to sort through a deceased person's belongings. When to start, what to keep, donating and selling, practical tips, and how to manage the emotional impact.
Ready to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order, and what to do when it gets complicated.
Get started →Free to start · from £95