Bereavement support

Two men in the woods leaning on a wooden balcony

Unfortunately, there’s no guide book for grief. Everyone is different, and no two people will experience grieving in the same way. From numbness to anger, from disbelief to guilt, there’s no set pattern to the grieving process, especially when you’ve been widowed at a young age.

The first few weeks

Unfortunately, there’s no guidebook for grief. Everyone is different and no two people will experience grieving in the same way.

Talking to children

Telling your child that their mum or dad has died is probably one of the most difficult things you will ever have to do.

The funeral

Planning the funeral will no doubt take up a lot of time and energy in the first days or weeks after your partner’s death.

What to say

Here are some tips about good things to say (or not to say) to someone who’s been recently bereaved.

Memorials

You may decide that you would like to hold a memorial service to celebrate the life of your partner and to honour their memory.

What to do with ashes

Whatever your situation, deciding what to do with your partner’s ashes is a delicate subject – for both you and your family. It’s a very personal decision.

Bereavement payments

You may be eligible to claim bereavement benefits after your partner has died.

Dealing with paperwork

One of the most frustrating things any bereaved person has to face in the first few weeks after death is the endless stream of paperwork.

Getting back out into the real world

In the first few weeks and months of bereavement, you’ll probably feel like avoiding social occasions. Much though you might want to, you can’t hide away forever.

What to do about holidays

Holidays can be a fraught time when you've lost your partner. Whereas overseas trips were once a relaxing time that you used to plan and enjoy together, now you are faced with the bleak prospect of organising a holiday on your own.

Surviving weddings and special events

Often the most difficult days to get through are significant dates that you used to celebrate, but now you’d probably rather forget - birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas.

The perils of dating

Dating after you've been widowed can be fraught with perils, particularly in the early months of bereavement, when you may still be feeling very emotionally raw.

How to cope with Covid-19 as a widowed parent

WAY member Paula is gratefully recovering from Covid-19 but it has been a huge mental and physical battle. She wanted to share her experience to help others...

Coping with grief & loss: a man's perspective

WAY member Mark Wilcock lost his wife suddenly two years ago, leaving him with an eight-month-old daughter. As a blogger, he has written about his experiences and emotions to help other young widowers. Here's what he's learned..

Food and grief

WAY member and nutritionist Sabine Horner shares some tips about how to eat healthily when the last thing on your mind is shopping and cooking.

Ten lessons on life after loss

WAY member Lizzie wanted us to share some lessons she has learned in the five years since she was widowed: "I am now officially in Year 6," she says. "It's five years since Phil died. I wanted to share this with everyone...

WAY member Andy talks about men and grief

WAY member Andy tells us how he started to talk about his grief after finding other bereaved men who understood what he was going through.

Suddenly I am surrounded by people who "get it"

WAY member Gary explains how joining WAY was like being greeted by a room of old friends providing a much-needed refuge in the storm of widowhood.

Creature comforts

WAY members Olivia and Melanie explain how their cats have helped them through their bereavement...

Useful links

Websites

Blogs

Books on bereavement

Join us!

You don't have to face widowhood alone – join over 3,500 other young widowed people across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales who ‘get it’.

If you've lost your partner before your 51st birthday and live in the UK – whether you were married or not, with or without children, whatever your sexual orientation, race or religion – you are welcome to join us.

Joining up to WAY takes just minutes via online and costs just £25 a year, which can be paid either by direct debit or PayPal.

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Bereavement support

The first few weeks

The first few weeks

Talking to children

The funeral

What to say

Memorials

What to do with ashes

Bereavement payments

Dealing with paperwork

Life after death

Getting back out into the real world

What to do about holidays

Surviving weddings and special events

The perils of dating

Voices of our members

How to cope with Covid-19 as a widowed parent

Coping with grief & loss: a man's perspective

Food and grief

Ten lessons on life after loss

WAY member Andy talks about men and grief

Suddenly I am surrounded by people who "get it"

Creature comforts

Useful links

Join us!