Death abroad: UK organisations that can help
Many UK-based organisations can offer assistance, support and information to those affected by a death abroad.
This guidance lists organisations in the UK that can offer assistance, support and information to those affected by a death abroad. You should read it along with the guidance on what to do after a British national dies abroad.
As these are independent organisations, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office cannot be held responsible in any way for their advice and/or any decisions and outcomes that result from this.
Organisations overseas
You can find information on organisations in other countries in the country-specific guidance on death abroad. Where these exist, the organisations and services they can offer to British nationals may vary considerably from those in the UK.
Government organisations and official information
National Health Service
The NHS has information on coping with bereavement and where to get NHS help for stress, anxiety or depression.
Bereavement support payment
You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife or civil partner died. You may be eligible if you were living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits.
Citizens Advice
A network of independent charities that can provide free confidential and independent advice on a range of issues, including financial and legal advice. They produce detailed information on death and wills.
Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
A UK government body that can provide information on compensation for victims of crime or terrorism abroad.
Funeral Expenses Payment
The Government’s funeral social fund may be able to provide financial assistance towards a funeral, if you are on certain benefits and you are arranging the funeral in the UK, EEA or Switzerland.
Independent Press Standards Organisation
The independent regulator of most of the UK’s newspapers and magazines. They handle complaints and can provide advice on issues including press accuracy, invasion of privacy, harassment and intrusion into grief or shock.
Legal Aid
Information and advice on legal aid and other legal issues in England and Wales to help people deal with their legal problems. There is separate information on Legal Aid in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Money Advice Service
Free and impartial money advice, set up by government. It has information on how to deal with money after a death, if you need help paying for a funeral, and looking after the paperwork and household bills.
NHS Inform Scotland
NHS Inform Scotland has information on death and bereavement that includes practical advice, coping with grief and information to support you through the death of a baby.
Social Services
Each local authority in the UK has its own social services, which are usually divided into adult social services and children’s social services. The NHS produces the directory of Local Authority Social Services and charities.
Tell Us Once
A free service that lets you report a death to most UK government organisations in one go. This may be available in some countries outside the UK. It has information on who to inform if the Tell Us Once service is not available.
General bereavement support and advice
Victim Support gives free and confidential help and support to all those affected by crime or traumatic events. They have specially trained volunteers, who are able to provide people with specialist practical and emotional support.
ASSIST Trauma Care
A UK organisation offering therapeutic help to adults and children, individuals and families, affected by a wide range of traumatic occurrences. They also provide advice on traumatic bereavement.
The Bereavement Register
The Bereavement Register is a service which aims to reduce the amount of direct mail to those who have died.
The Bereavement Trust
A UK charity which operates a helpline in the UK to provide advice and support in the evenings, between 6pm and 10pm.
Cruse Bereavement Care
A charity that provides information and support for bereaved people. It also has a website Hope Again specifically for children and young people, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is separate information for Cruse Bereavement Care - Scotland.
National Association of Funeral Directors
Represents more than 4200 funeral homes in the UK, and also has overseas funeral firms within its membership. It can provide support and guidance to both its member firms and also the bereaved families in their care.
National Bereavement Service
A UK organisation that can explain and help with the practical side of bereavement, including arranging an affordable funeral, probate and wills, and stopping mail after a death.
Samaritans
A UK charity that can provide support or information if you need support, or if you are worried about someone else.
Specialist support and advice
Brake - the road safety charity
A UK charity that supports those who have been bereaved or injured by road traffic incidents including those outside the UK.
Sudden
A charitable initiative from Brake sharing best practice, research and resources among professionals working with people who are suddenly bereaved.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
The professional association for members of the counselling professions in the UK. They have online directory of counsellors and psychotherapists. Most of them charge for their services.
Facing the Future
Support groups in the UK for people who have been bereaved by suicide.
INQUEST
INQUEST provides support through the inquest process in England and Wales.
LBT Global (formerly the Lucie Blackman Trust)
A UK charity that provides information and logistical support to the families and friends of those who are suffering a crisis abroad, including those who have died or been murdered abroad.
Murdered Abroad
A UK charity for families, partners and friends of the victims of murder and manslaughter abroad.
Road Peace
A UK charity that provides support to those bereaved and injured by road crashes, including those affected by a crash abroad.
Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM)
A UK charity supporting families bereaved by murder and manslaughter.
Death Abroad – You’re Not Alone (DAYNA)
A non-profit organisation in Scotland set up to help and support to those who have lost loved ones abroad, focusing on peer support.
The Kirsty Maxwell Charity
A UK charity that provides assistance and support to people in the UK who have suffered the death of a loved one abroad, focusing on peer support.
Repatriation charities
JackTheLad Foundation – UK wide
Advice and financial assistance for repatriation of young people (aged 16 to 30) who have died as a result of an accident overseas.
Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust – Northern Ireland
Advice and financial assistance for repatriation of those who have died suddenly abroad to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
Repatriation Services Trust – Wales
Advice, support and financial aid for bereaved families from Wales.
Child death – specialist organisations
Child Bereavement UK
A UK charity which supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement. They have information and advice on telling a child that someone has died and grieving for a child.
The Compassionate Friends
A UK charity supporting bereaved parents and their families.
Child death helpline
A helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from pre-birth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago. They have a UK helpline, 0800 282986.
Lullaby Trust
A UK charity that offers information and confidential bereavement support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child.
The Miscarriage Association
A UK charity that can provide support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy.
Sands - Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity
Sands works to support anyone affected by the death of a baby. It has an online bereavement support book, has a UK helpline and information on local support groups in the UK.
Saying Goodbye
A UK organisation that provides information, advice and support to those who have suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.
Supporting bereaved children
The NHS has information on children and bereavement.
Brake - the road safety charity
Brake has a picture book for children and adults to read together to help explain that someone has died in a road crash, and a guide to supporting bereaved children and families bereaved by road death).
Cruse Bereavement Care
- Cruse Bereavement Care UK – England, Northern Ireland, Wales
- Cruse Bereavement Care – Scotland
Cruse offer support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
Child Bereavement UK
A UK charity that supports families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement.
Childhood Bereavement Network
The Childhood Bereavement Network is the hub for those working with bereaved children, young people and their families across the UK. The website has tips from bereaved young people for other young people, as well as suggestions for parents and carers.
Childline
Childline is a free, private and confidential service where children and young people can talk about anything, 24/7. They can be contacted from the UK on 0800 1111 or online chat. Its website has information about the International Child Helpline Network with similar services in other countries.
Grief Encounters
A UK charity which supports bereaved children and their families to help alleviate the pain caused by the death of someone close. They operate a UK helpline, grieftalk for children, young people and adults.
Hope Again
A website for bereaved young people, from Cruse Bereavement Care UK.
Sibling Support
A website from Child Bereavement UK, with resources to help young people cope with the death of a brother or sister.
Winston’s Wish
A UK charity that supports children and their families after the death of a parent or sibling. They have advice on talking to children about death, and support information on death through serious illness, death through suicide, and death through homicide.