Blog | Cruse Bereavement Care

Memories of 9/11

Debbie Kerslake, 09 September 2021

Where were you on 9/11? Those of us old enough at the time can all remember where we were when we heard the news. Former Cruse Chief Executive Debbie Kerslake was working at home when a colleague called to say, “put the TV on”. In this blog she recalls what happened next as Cruse volunteers set up a response and flew to New York.

Our Day For You

Cruse Bereavement Care, 28 July 2021

This September we’re asking people to remember a loved one by holding A Day For You. They’ll be bringing family and friends together for one special day, sharing stories and memories, and helping raise money to support people struggling with grief.

How grief affects the LGBTQ+ community

Beth Watson, 21 June 2021

Grief is difficult for everyone but for some it also brings about a unique set of challenges. As we draw to the end of Pride month, we’re reflecting on how we can better support the LGBTQ+ community through bereavement.

Loneliness and bereavement

Cruse Bereavement Care, 16 June 2021

Millions of people in the UK report often or always feeling lonely. Bereavement is a major cause of loneliness, both for those who have lost a partner or companion, and for those who may have people around them but feel their friends and family cannot understand what they are going through. During Loneliness Awareness Week 2021 our blog looks at the links between bereavement and loneliness and offers some tips for coping.

Jabz's story: Losing a father

Jabz, 14 June 2021

When your father dies you are losing one of the most important relationships of your life. In this blog Jabz shares some of her experiences of grief, how Cruse helped her come to terms with it, and how Father's Day is now a chance for her to remember the happy times with her dad.

Motherless mums

Kelly Ford , 10 June 2021

Losing a mother when you are young is always painful. For women who have been through this, going on to have children of their own can bring a new and very complicated cocktail of emotions. In this blog we share the story of Kelly Ford, who started a podcast to share experiences with other women who are mothering without their mothers.

Jo's story: becoming a Cruse volunteer

Cruse Bereavement Care, 28 May 2021

The first week in June each year is Volunteer's Week, when we celebrate the difference our 4.5 thousand volunteers make to Cruse Bereavement Care. In this blog we feature the story of our volunteer Jo, who shares how her own experiences brought her to Cruse and what it's like to support others struggling with grief. A big thank you to Jo and every one of our amazing volunteers!

Choosing readings for funerals and memorials

Lucy Clay, 27 May 2021

Choosing a reading for a funeral or memorial service is a wonderful way to reflect the person who has died, share a consoling or inspiring message, and allow people to reflect and remember during the funeral.This article offers some tips for choosing a poem or reading, and some advice for reading your choice on the day.

Anne's story: Missed conversations before death

Anne Wadey, 18 May 2021

Anne Wadey of the National Bereavement Service shares her story of regretting the conversations her family didn’t have before her parents died, and discusses other common disputes which cause problems for bereaved people.

Can grief cause anxiety?

Cruse Bereavement Care, 18 May 2021

While anxiety isn’t often thought about as a common reaction to grief, it's normal to find yourself feeling anxious or worried after the death of someone close. In this article, we’ll explore the link between grief and anxiety and provide you with some strategies for coping.

Coronavirus help

During the current pandemic we have adapted our support to ensure the safety of our clients and volunteers. We offer a telephone helpline and webchat, and support sessions are being held over the telephone, email or internet. We are constantly reviewing the situation in line with government guidelines.