Navigation button to learn more about what bereavement support may be available

🕊 Bereavement and Grief

Bereavement is the experience of losing someone who is important to you. Grief is the process and range of emotions someone may experience as they gradually adjust to that loss.

There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Everyone experiences loss differently and there is no set timeline for how grief should feel.

🌱 Understanding Grief

There are many different types of grief, and it is natural to have a strong reaction when someone dies. Grief can affect people emotionally, physically, socially and academically. Some feelings may appear immediately, while others can emerge weeks or months later.

Everyone's experience is unique and there is no "normal" way to grieve.

💭 Feelings You Might Experience

😶 Shock and Numbness

You may feel numb, detached, disorientated, or as though nothing has changed. It can take time to process what has happened.

💔 Pain

The loss of someone close can feel deeply painful and overwhelming. Some people describe it as losing a part of themselves.

😠 Anger

You may feel angry at the situation, the person who died, others around you, or even yourself.

😔 Guilt

You may find yourself reflecting on things you did or did not do. Remember that it is very unlikely you could have prevented what happened.

🌧 Low Mood

You may struggle with motivation, concentration or feelings of sadness. Some people question their future or lose interest in activities they previously enjoyed.

🫂 Missing the Person

You may think about the person frequently or feel strongly connected to memories of them.

😴 Physical Symptoms

Grief can affect sleep, appetite, concentration, energy levels and general wellbeing.

🌿 Coping with Grief

Everyone experiences grief differently. There is no single way to cope and what helps one person may not help another.

💬 Talk to Someone

Share your thoughts and feelings with trusted friends, family, support staff or professionals.

📝 Express Yourself

Writing, music, art, prayer, reflection or creative activities can help process emotions.

🕰 Give Yourself Time

Grief does not follow a timetable. Recovery and adjustment happen at different rates for different people.

😴 Look After Your Health

Try to rest, eat regularly, stay hydrated and maintain routines where possible.

🎓 Inform BPP

If bereavement is affecting your studies, consider contacting Student Support to discuss available support.

💚 Be Kind to Yourself

Grief can affect concentration, motivation and energy. Avoid putting too much pressure on yourself.

🚨 Immediate Support

If grief is causing thoughts of suicide or self-harm, seek support immediately.

☎ Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day.

116 123

https://www.samaritans.orgVisit Samaritans

🚑 Emergency Services

If you or someone else is in immediate danger.

999

🤝 Bereavement Support and Advice

🏥 NHS

Information about grief, bereavement and emotional wellbeing.

NHS Bereavement Support

💙 Mind

Support and guidance on understanding grief and coping with loss.

Mind Bereavement Support

🕊 Cruse Bereavement Support

Support and information for people experiencing bereavement.

☎ 0808 808 1677

Visit Cruse

🏛 GOV.UK

Practical guidance on what to do after a death.

After a Death

💙 Specialist Bereavement Support

Some experiences of bereavement may benefit from specialist support services.

👨‍👩‍👧 Child Bereavement UK

Support for children, young adults and families.

☎ 0800 02 888 40

Visit Child Bereavement UK

🤱 Sands

Support following pregnancy loss, stillbirth or neonatal death.

☎ 0808 164 3332

https://www.sands.org.uk/Visit Sands

🌱 The Compassionate Friends

Support for bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents.

☎ 0345 123 2304

https://www.tcf.org.uk/Visit The Compassionate Friends

💗 WAY Widowed and Young

Support for people aged 50 and under after the death of a partner.

https://www.widowedandyoung.org.uk/Visit WAY

🎓 BPP Support

💚 Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Support if bereavement is affecting your wellbeing.

Contact Safeguarding and Wellbeing

🎓 Student Support

Support if bereavement is affecting your studies, attendance or assessments.

🎓 Students' Association Independent Advice

Independent guidance and support for BPP students.

Contact the Students' Association Advice Service

📚 Sources and References

This page has been adapted using information from recognised bereavement and wellbeing organisations.

This guidance has been adapted for BPP students and provides general information about bereavement, grief and emotional wellbeing.