Bereavement

Bereavement is an experience that can happen to any of us and if you are visiting this section of the website because someone close to you has died recently we would like to offer you our condolences.

If you would like support at this difficult time, please see the resources below which we hope will provide you with information, help and guidance.

Telephone helpline support is available through the Cruse bereavement helpline (0808 808 1677​) or Lifeline (0808 808 8000).

‘Bereaved NI’ can be accessed at https://bereaved.hscni.net/ and provides a range of accessible resources for people who are experiencing bereavement and ensure that they have the required information and support for each stage of their bereavement journey.  As part of this website, there is information relating to palliative care, pregnancy and baby loss, resources for children and young people, information for people who have been bereaved by suicide and those who have suffered a sudden or traumatic loss, as well as practical support including financial and legal advice

Laura Creaney, bereavement co-ordinator remains available to staff for advice or support relating to themselves or people in their care. She can be contacted on 028 3756 0085. If Laura is not available, callers are requested to leave a message and their call will be returned.

The Health and Social Care (HSC) ‘When someone dies’ booklet contains information on the practical matters which may be useful in the days following your loved one’s death. Helpful information on living with grief and bereavement is included along with details of organisations offering support. The booklet has been translated into a number of languages.

When someone dies:

Coping with Bereavement:

Depending on the circumstances of your bereavement you may find the following booklets helpful:

Translated versions of the Booklet ‘When someone close to you dies – a guide for talking with and supporting children’ is available here: http://www.belfasttrust.hscni.net/Bereavement.htm

Regional Resources:

NI Bereavement Network and Public Health Agency:  

Grief and bereavement during the Covid-19 pandemic- supporting yourself and others

Saying Goodbye workbook for children

Northern Ireland Bereavement Service:

https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/communities/dfc-ni-bereavement-service.pdf  and www.nidirect.gov.uk/bereavement

Palliative Care in Partnership: 

https://pcip.hscni.net/covid-19/information-for-hsc-professionals/bereavement-and-grief/

Northern Ireland Social Care Council: ‘Hope, Hints and How To; Helping you respond to living and dying issues during Covid-19’ which includes a section on ‘Grieving & Support during Covid-19’

https://learningzone.niscc.info/storage/adapt/5e87625d5ee73/index.html

Support Organisations:

Anam Cara (supporting bereaved parents):  https://anamcara.ie/resources/resource-downloads/

Barnardo’s NI (supporting bereaved children): http://www.hscbereavementnetwork.hscni.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Barnardos-child-bereavement-service-grieving-during-covid-19.pdf

Cruse Bereavement Care: https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus-dealing-bereavement-and-grief

Marie Curie Telephone Bereavement Support:  Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309* free national listening support service for people who have been bereaved due to terminal illness. *Calls are free. Lines are open 8am-6pm Monday to Friday and 11am-5pm on Saturday https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/help/support/telephone-bereavement-support

• Social Security Agency: Bereavement service:

A Freephone bereavement service is available which enables you to report a person’s death, check if you might be entitled to benefits or financial help, make a claim for benefits or for a social fund funeral payment. They can be contacted at 0800 085 2463 www.nidirect.gov.uk/bereavement

• Further information on support organisations can be found on the link below:

Bereavement Support Organisations

Special services of remembrance

Services of remembrance take place in the Trust each year.

• A service to remember babies, children and young people who have died in Craigavon Area Hospital or the surrounding communities – Sunday, 18 May 2025 at 3 pm, Seagoe Parish Centre, Portadown BT63 5HW.
• A service to remember babies, children and young people who have died in Daisy Hill Hospital or the surrounding communities – Sunday 24 November 2024 at 3.00pm in Newry Town Hall. 

Further information on the services will be posted on this website and in local press, church bulletins and through social media

Books of Remembrance

Books of remembrance hold the names of babies and children who have died in our hospitals or our wider community. Their names are entered on their parents’ request.  There is no time limit for when names can be added and parents can also write some words to be included alongside their baby or child’s name. The books are rededicated at our services of remembrance each year.  If you would like more information on the books, please contact the bereavement co-ordinator (details below).

We would welcome your feedback

We hope you have found the information you were looking for when you visited this page. If you would like to comment on it or suggest improvements we will be pleased to hear from you. If you would like to give feedback on the care provided to your loved one or about your own experience of the support you received at this time by the Trust, please contact the bereavement coordinator (details above).

Immediate support if in distress

If you or someone you know is in distress or despair, no matter what age or location in Northern Ireland, organisations are available to help.

• Lifeline 0808 808 8000: Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to listen and give help and support in confidence. Calls are free from all UK Landlines and mobiles.  https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/index.html
• The Samaritans: Samaritan volunteers can be contacted by phone 24 hours a day by calling 116 123. If it is easier to communicate by email, the email address is jo@samaritans.org. This is not an immediate response service, with responses returned by volunteers within 24 hours. For more information visit their website: www.samaritans.org

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