Bereavement Care

Our Service

If you are visiting this section of the website following the death of someone important to you, please accept our sincere condolences. Information and support if you are experiencing grief and bereavement or helping other people who are bereaved, is available now on the new bereavement website for Northern Ireland, Bereaved NI.

The Freephone Bereavement Service 080 0085 2463 enables you to: Report a death to the Social Security Agency; Check if you may be entitled to benefits/financial help; Make a claim for Bereavement Benefits and make a claim for a Social Fund Funeral Payment. Bereavement Services Leaflet.

The Western Trust Bereavement Coordinator Carole McKeeman, works with staff to promote bereavement care, standards and training across the Western Trust (contact details below).

Feedback: We hope you find this resource useful. If you would like to comment on it or suggest improvements we will be pleased to hear from you. If you wish to give feedback about the care provided to your loved one or about your own experience of bereavement care within the Western Trust, visit Care Opinion. Care Opinion is a place where you can share your experience of health or care services and help make them better for everyone. Visit www.careopinion.org.uk or call 0800 122 3135

Lifeline Crisis Response 080 8808 8000  If you, or someone you know, is in distress or despair, no matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, Lifeline is there to help you. Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to listen and give you the help and support you need, in confidence. Calls are  free from all UK landlines and mobiles.

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• Services of Remembrance

  Services of Remembrance are held within the Western Trust annually for parents and families of children and babies who have died. Altnagelvin and South West Acute Hospital both hold a service during Sands Awareness Week in October each year.  A service is also held each year in November to support relatives and friends of those who have died within Altnagelvin Critical Care Unit.  The dates and times of these services will be available on this Trust website.

• Books of Remembrance

  Books of Remembrance for babies and children are available in Altnagelvin Hospital and South West Acute Hospital, Enniskillen. Many parents and family members choose to write a message in memory of their baby or child, which is then entered into the Book of Remembrance. If you would like to do this or to view the Book of Remembrance please contact the Maternity Department in either hospital (contact details below).

  Book of Remembrance – Altnagelvin Area Hospital

  Maternity Department, Altnagelvin Area Hospital, Glenshane Road, Derry/Londonderry, BT47 6SB

  02871345171

  Book of Remembrance – South West Acute Hospital

  Maternity Department, 147 Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, BT74 6DN

  02866382000

• Bereavement Booklets

  Access the HSC Bereavement Booklet to Download and Print

  A Guide for Talking with and Supporting Children – Written for parents and carers to explain children’s and adolescents’ understanding of and response to death. Contains useful information for telling children about the death of someone close and ways to help support children following a death. Includes helpful suggestions on talking with children about the death of someone close and how to help support children following the death.

  Supporting People with Learning Disabilities through a Bereavement

  When someone dies: An easy read leaflet to help to support people with learning disabilities through a bereavement

  When someone dies.. A support booklet: A resource for family, carers and health professionals who are supporting someone with a learning disability through a bereavement.

  Signed Bereavement Information

  BSL Bereavement Information Booklet

  ISL Bereavement Information Booklet

  Sudden Death

  The effects of traumatic bereavement are unique for each individual and can vary in nature and intensity.  The four information booklets below have been developed to support individuals, families and communities when they experience a sudden death.

  Dealing with Sudden Death: Common Grief Reactions

  Dealing with Sudden Death: In Adulthood

  Dealing with Sudden Death: Helping Children And Adolescents 

  Dealing with Sudden Death: Information For Young People

• Bereaved by Suicide

  Western Trust Family Liaison Service – Supporting families bereaved by suicide

  Western Trust Concerned about Suicide

  Bereaved by Suicide

  Download and Print the ‘Help is at Hand’ booklet that provides support after someone may have died by suicide in Northern Ireland.

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Locations where this service is delivered

• Altnagelvin Area Hospital
• Omagh Hospital and Primary Care Complex
• South West Acute Hospital

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Contacts