We understand that those of you who are facing a life limiting illness may want to consider your options for end of life care.
Our videos and information are for you and carers who may be in need of support and information on the choices available to you. Click here to access 'Find Me Help', a database of UK support services for people in the last years of life, their families, carers and friends to direct you to the help you need
You will find links to tailored support below. Our UK Map will signpost you to local, regional and national support organisations.
Please take a look at our Things to Consider page. We know how upsetting it can be if you do not know what choices are available to you, which can sometimes leave you with the burden of unnecessary guilt and regret.
Dr Kate Granger talks about living with a rare and agressive form of cancer, a sarcoma, with a terminal diagnosis. She and her husband Chris discuss their plans for her last days, funeral and his future alone. Kate sadly died in 2016, but her campaign #hellomynameis has made over 1.7 billion impressions since its inception with an average of 6 tweets an hour.
PLANNING AHEAD: Information to help you think and talk about how you wish to be cared for in the final months of your life.
UNDERSTANDING DEATH AND DYING: What happens when someone starts to die, and how end of life care is provided.
TALKING ABOUT DEATH AND DYING: What to say, how to say it and where to find help.
Find Me Help: the UK's most comprehensive directory of services for people in the last years of life, their families, carers and friends. Search for your nearest organisation here;
MARIE CURIE
PUBLICATIONS
Practical and emotional issues explained, including money, health and well being. Information about how to support someone with a terminal illness and how to take care of yourself.
Easy read booklets use simple words and pictures to help you understand the information. Visit the Marie Curie website to download publications;
CALL 0800 090 2309 for support - Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm Sat 11am-5pm
TALKING OPENLY ABOUT DEATH, GRIEF AND LOSS
We would encourage you to try and open up conversations around end of life and bereavement.
Being prepared and having honest discussions with family and friends can often alleviate many of the anxieties associated with the unknown.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
We urge you to consider thinking about recording messages from a mobile phone, or transferring and/or printing photos from a device before someone you love dies.
We have had many comments from the bereaved, to say how devastating it can be to find out that weeks after you lose someone you love, their voices have been erased from phones and precious photos are lost.
Click here to find out more on Things to Consider
Do you need to speak to someone now?
24 HOUR SUPPORT LINES
| Samaritans | 116 123 (UK) | For anyone at anytime for any reason |
| Childline | 0800 1111 | Support for 18yrs & under and their relatives |
| Silverline | 0800 470 8090 | Support for the over 50's |
DAY/EVENING SUPPORT LINES
| Sudden Bereavement Helpline | 0800 2600 400 | 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday - immediate support |
| National Bereavement Partnership Helpline | 0800 448 0800 | 7am and 10pm for emotional support. |
| Cruse | 0808 808 1677 | Nationwide bereavement support |
| Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland | 0808 802 6161 | Mon - Fri 9am-8pm and Sat/Sun 1-4pm |
| Child Bereavement UK | 0800 02 88840 | Helpline (9 - 5pm) |
| Child Death Helpline | 0800 282 986 0808 800 6019 | Every evening 7-10pm Mon/Thurs / Fri - 10am - 1pm Tues/Wed - 10am - 4pm |
| Grief Talk | 0808 802 0111 | Support for anyone to Grieftalk from any phone for free Monday to Friday 9am - 9pm Have a 1-2-1 CHAT live session with a Grieftalk counsellor |
| Bereavement Advice Centre | 0800 634 9494 | Practical advice (9 - 5pm) |
| Bereavement Trust | 0800 435 455 | Emotional and practical advice (6 - 10pm) |
| DrugFam | 0300 888 3853 | Drug and Alcohol addiction The helpline line is available between 9am and 9pm seven days a week. |
| Sands | 0808 164 3332 | 9.30am - 5.30pm Mon to Fri and 9.30am - 9.30pm Tues and Thurs evenings Free confidential helpline for anyone affected by the death of a baby. |
| Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide | 0300 111 5065 | 9am-9pm every day |
| Breathing space Scotland Helpline for when it becomes difficult to cope | 0800 838587 | Monday to Thursday - 6pm - 2am Friday 6pm - 6am |
| The Compassionate Friends | 0345 123 2304 | Open every day 10 am – 4 pm, 7-10 pm |
| The Lullaby Trust | 0808 802 6868 | Monday - Friday, 10 am – 5 pm |
| Marie Curie | 0800 090 2309 | Open Monday - Friday, 8am – 6pm Open Saturday, 11am – 5pm on Saturday Practical and clinical information and support on all aspects of end of life and bereavement. |
| The Greater Manchester Suicide Bereavement Information Service
| 0161 983 0700 | Open Monday – Friday, 10am-4pm |
Useful links
| Living Well, Dying Well: Train death doulas whose aim is to support people to live their life as meaningfully as possible right to the end, enabling them stay in control of their final weeks of life | Talks about the work of a death Doula: An article talking about the work of a death doula, helping people stay at home to die, surrounded by loved ones |
| Ruby Care: A charity helping people, their friends and family face the end of their lives | Cancer Research Anticipatory Grief: A forum for those either facing death themselves or caring for the dying |
| A death Doula talks about her work: empowering the dying and allowing them control their life to the end | Five important points for the dying: Both if you, or someone you love are beginning to face the end |
| Five regrets of the dying: A nurse has recorded the top 5 regrets of the dying. | Final Fling: A website advising people on how to plan for the end, from finance to funerals |
| Warnings against pre-paid funeral plans | Macmillan: Practical guidance for both the dying and relatives on how the body prepares for death |
| Marie Curie: Practical and emotional advice on keeping the dying comfortable | Dying Matters: Helpful advice regarding planning ahead. This article talks about topics from financial matters to organ donation to funeral planning |
| The Hospice Biographers: Offers the terminally ill the chance to record their memories and voice for their families and friends | Compassion in Dying: A charity helping people plan their own care and end of life wishes |
Find local support
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