In early grief many people have strong feelings such as loneliness, worry and upset. But most people find their way through their grief with the support of friends and family.
If you need more support, there are organisations that provide:
- helplines
- bereavement self-help resources and support
- support for people bereaved by suicide
- counselling
During the COVID-19 pandemic you can continue to get support in a way that you are comfortable with. Many organisations offer both online and in-person support.
Helplines that offer bereavement support
Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line
A confidential space for people to speak about their experience or to ask questions relating to the death of someone.
Freephone 1800 807 077 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday
Visit hospicefoundation.ie
Barnardos Helpline
Bereavement information and support for children and families.
Phone 01 473 2110 10am to 12pm, Monday to Thursday
Visit barnardos.ie
Childline (ISPCC)
Ireland's 24-hour national listening service for young people up to the age of 18. Calls and messages are answered by staff and volunteers who are trained to listen to children and young people.
Freephone 1800 666 666 any time
Text 50101 10am to 4pm every day
Chat online anytime at childline.ie
Pieta
Free individual counselling, therapy and support for people who have been bereaved by suicide and for people who are thinking about suicide.
Freephone 1800 247 247 anytime
Text HELP to 51444 - standard message rates apply
Visit pieta.ie
Samaritans
Emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Contact jo@samaritans.ie
Freephone 116 123 anytime
Visit samaritans.org
Text 50808
A free text service, providing everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through a mental health or emotional crisis.
Text HELLO to 50808 anytime
Visit text50808.ie
Organisations that offer bereavement resources and support
The Irish Hospice Foundation
Information and resources for coping with grief in children, adolescents and families, including:
- podcasts on grief and loss
- guided practices on grief
- videos on understanding loss and grief
Visit hospicefoundation.ie
Widow.ie
Provides information and self-help resources for widows, widowers and bereaved life partners.
Visit widow.ie
Organisations for bereaved parents and families
Anam Cara
Supports parents after bereavement by signposting to services and providing information evenings in the community throughout the country.
Visit anamcara.ie
Féileacáin
Provides support to anyone affected by the death of a baby during or after pregnancy.
Visit feileacain.ie
Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland
Provides information for bereaved parents and healthcare staff about pregnancy and infant loss.
Visit pregnancyandinfantloss.ie
FirstLight
Provides crisis intervention and free professional counselling services to bereaved parents and family members who have suddenly lost a child up to 18 years.
Visit firstlight.ie
A Little Lifetime Foundation
Provides information and support to bereaved parents and families.
Visit alittlelifetime.ie
Organisations for bereaved children
Barnardos
Specialist bereavement service where children and young people are supported to grieve. Provides information on grief in children, adolescents and families and free e-books.
Visit barnardos.ie
The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network
Information and resources for coping with grief in children, adolescents and families.
Visit childhoodbereavement.ie
Rainbows
Supports children and young people with bereavement or parental separation.
Visit rainbowsireland.ie
Supports for people bereaved by suicide
HUGG
Information and support groups for anyone over 18 years who has lost a loved one to suicide. Services are provided by people who have been bereaved by suicide.
Visit hugg.ie
Pieta
Free individual counselling, therapy and support for people who have been bereaved by suicide and for people who are thinking about suicide.
Freephone 1800 247 247 anytime
Text HELP to 51444 - standard message rates apply
Visit pieta.ie
The Suicide Bereavement Liaison Service
Free, confidential service that provides assistance and support after the loss of a loved one to suicide. The liaison officer can meet with a bereaved family as a group or individually.
They can answer questions about some of the difficult practical issues following a death by suicide. They also provide guidance or assistance in accessing a therapeutic service, or even just to talk with someone locally about what has happened.
This service is provided by these agencies:
- pieta.ie (nationwide)
- vitahouse.org (Roscommon)
- thefamilycentre.com (Mayo)
Counselling services
Talk to your GP about counselling services.
If you are over 18 years of age and have a medical card, they can refer you for free counselling through Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC).
You can also access counselling privately.
You can find qualified counsellors who specialise in bereavement, loss and grief through:
