BEREAVEMENT SERVICE

Referrals
Resources
Training

We offer support in a variety of ways to children, young people and their families across Luton and Bedfordshire.

Children experience the pain of loss just as much as adults, although their reactions will depend on their age, maturity and understanding of events. Adults often try to protect children from the pain of the loss, perhaps feeling that they are too young to understand, or that talking about the loss will be too distressing. However, our experience in supporting families has shown that it can be more helpful to talk to children, whilst remembering the following:

  • Be age appropriate

  • Be sensitive

  • Be honest

Experience has shown us that children can gain a great deal from meeting others of their own age who have had similar experiences and, if given the chance to understand events and to express their own feelings, they can learn to adjust to their loss.

The Bereavement Service is an organisation established from a wide range of experienced, trained professionals and volunteers throughout Bedfordshire and Luton.

CHUMS Offer Bereavement Support Through:

  • Bereavement Groups for Parents/Carers, Children and Young People

  • 1:1 Bereavement Support

  • Parent/Carer Psycho-education Workshops

  • Ongoing Monthly Bereavement Groups – for Parents/Carers, Children and Young People

  • Telephone Advice and Guidance

  • Bereavement Literature

Service User Testimonial

It was helpful to understand that it’s not just my child going through it and it helped in understanding my child’s behaviour. And, for me that how I am feeling is not out of the ordinary, there is no time limit and that it is not unusual for my feelings to keep cropping up years later”
– Parent

Service User Testimonial

“I enjoyed the fun things we did and the clay throwing”
– Child

Service User Testimonial

 “Russ took the time to explain ways to help; very thoughtful. I can’t thank Russ enough, how he helped through a very hard time. Thank you again for the fantastic support that you have given ******. You have helped me approach things in a way that I wouldn’t have thought of before and I certainly wouldn’t have been able to give ********** the understanding before this. It’s been a tough time and I can’t imagine how much harder it would have been if ********* felt misunderstood and I couldn’t support her in the new approach”
– Parent

Service User Testimonial

“They listened to us”
– Child

Service User Testimonial

“Very good service. Children have really enjoyed being here and have felt in a safe environment to talk about things. Also gives them confidence to know they are not alone, and others are also experiencing loss”
– Parent

Service User Testimonial

“Doing the memory jar and the painting”
– Child

Service User Testimonial

“I believe it has helped me for the first time I felt understood and got to meet other people going through the same thing that I was facing at the moment”
– Parent

Service User Testimonial

“Making the memory jar”
– Child

Service User Videos

Referrals

Referrals can be made online using our referral forms

Make a Referral

If you are making a referral into our Bereavement Service please include information about who died, when they died and the cause of death. We are able to support children / young people from the age of 4 to 18.

If you have been bereaved by suicide or the death of a baby, please see the following links for more information on the relevant services below:

Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service (BSBS)

BSBS

Babyloss Bereavement Service

Babyloss Service

Bereavement Training for Schools, Professionals and Volunteers

CHUMS also provide training to professionals in health and social care, education, and the voluntary and corporate sectors, preparing them to provide the best possible care to bereaved families. Please see our website for more information or contact chumstraining@chums.uk.com.

Bereavement Information for School Staff

Resources

General Bereavement

Telling a Child/Young Person Someone has Died

Download PDF

Talking to Children/Young People when someone is Seriously Ill

Download PDF

COVID Bereavement

Telling a Child/Young Person someone has died from Coronavirus

Download PDF

Breaking the News to Children/Young People when someone is seriously ill with Coronavirus

Download PDF

COVID 19 – Guidance for Families who may not be able to attend a Funeral

Download PDF

Saying Goodbye Animation

Watch Video

Other Helpful Organisations Resources

At a Loss

At a Loss

Bereavement Advice Centre

Bereavement Advice Centre

Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice

Cruse

Cruse

Grief Encounter

Grief Encounter

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan

The Samaritans

The Samaritans

Turn to Us

Turn to Us

Recommended Book List

Download Book List