Bereavement Service Posted or Updated on 4 Sep 2023

Support is available to anyone bereaved or affected by a death in Greater Manchester.

If you would like to speak to someone in person, you can call:

Greater Manchester Bereavement Service

0161 983 0902

Monday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Tuesday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Wednesday 9.00am to 8.00pm
Thursday 9.00am to 5.00pm
Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm

(Except bank holidays)

If you need to speak with someone at a weekend about a bereavement, please call:

NHS Bereavement Helpline
0800 2600 400
Available 8.00am to 8.00pm daily

Do:

• Be there for the person who is grieving – pick up the phone, write a letter or an email, call by or arrange to visit.
• Accept that everyone grieves in their own way, there is no ‘normal’ way.
• Encourage the person to talk.
• Listen to the person.
• Create an environment in which the bereaved person can be themselves and show their feelings, rather than having to put on a front.
• Be aware that grief can take a long time.
• Contact the person at difficult times such as special anniversaries and birthdays.
• Mention useful support agencies such as Cruse Bereavement Care.
• Offer useful practical help.

Don’t:

• Avoid someone who has been bereaved.
• Use clichés such as ‘I understand how you feel’, ‘You’ll get over it’ or ‘Time heals’.
• Tell them it’s time to move on, they should be over it – how long a person needs to grieve is entirely individual.
• Be alarmed if the bereaved person doesn’t want to talk or demonstrates anger.
• Underestimate how emotionally draining it can be when supporting a grieving person. Make sure you take care of yourself too.