Bereavement support

Acorns offers both pre- and post bereavement support to all Acorns families.

Bereavement support is distinct from bereavement counselling, although it may involve the use of Counselling skills. It provides an opportunity for feelings to be expressed and validated, Ceremony of Rememberance reassuring the individual that their feelings are ‘normal’

If grief becomes complicated and protracted the individual may benefit from formal counselling in which case the Community Team worker may help the family to access this via their GP, or a Bereavement Counselling Service in their area.

Bereavement support is offered to Acorns families for as long as they require it. Support is offered to meet the individual needs, this can be done by:

  • One to one home support visits.
  • Home visits as a family group.
  • Support via Group Work.
  • Bereavement visits at times of significance to the family, e.g. birthdays, anniversary of the death.
  • Inviting and supporting families at the Ceremony of Remembrance.

Practical support offered to families by the community team after a child has died includes:

  • Welfare rights advice. For example, supporting applications to the Social Fund, help with funeral expenses, notifying benefit agencies of changes in family circumstances.
  • Support in registering your child’s death or making arrangements to move your child’s body.
  • Contacting funeral directors and organising burial or cremation within 24 hours where necessary.
  • Enabling families to have choices in caring for their child’s body before burial or cremation and help with washing your child. For example, at the hospice, at home or at a funeral home.
  • Understanding the types of funeral available. For example, cremation, non-religious burial, woodland burial or burial or cremation abroad.
  • Support in notifying professionals, family and friends.
  • Support in liaising with employers to negotiate time off work, support and arrangements for return to work.
  • Ensuring that brothers and sisters and other family members are being supported and have necessary access to specific support groups where necessary.