Sudden death

I was shocked and saddened to hear about 3 sudden deaths recently – 2 from unexpected natural causes - a heart attack and an aneurysm - and the other due to a tragic accident. This, and last week’s devastating news of 6 people losing their lives in the shootings in Plymouth, has made me think about sudden death and how the bereaved are affected. 

When a person is elderly or is ill, we have time to prepare ourselves for their passing, we have time to say the things we need to say, ask questions, make peace if there’s been a rift, and eventually say our goodbyes. With a sudden death however, there is no opportunity to do any of these things and the bereaved are left traumatised and may need special support, so I’ve put together a list of free resources available in the UK. 

Coping with suicide:
https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/dealing-sudden-or-violent-death#Coping

For emotional and practical support in the first 10 weeks following an unexpected bereavement:
https://sudden.org/about-our-help/sudden-helpline/

Advice on supporting someone following an unexpected bereavement:
https://www.dyingmatters.org/page/dealing-sudden-or-violent-death#loss

And for emotional support, whatever you're going through, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year:
https://www.samaritans.org/

Please share widely, and if  you can add to these, or would like to comment, please click on the button below.

​#suddendeath #bereavement #embracingageing #suicide