Sudden, Traumatic and Specific Types of Death

When somebody dies suddenly or in traumatic circumstances, grief may be mixed with shock, distressing memories, police or coroner involvement and difficult practical questions. These organisations provide information or support for particular circumstances and causes of death.

On this page

Sudden or unexpected death

  • Northern Ireland Official information Bereaved NI: Sudden or Traumatic Death
    Northern Ireland information and links to support following a sudden or traumatic death.
  • Northern Ireland Practical guide Public Health Agency: Support Following an Unexpected Death
    A guide to practical processes and sources of support after an unexpected death.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Sudden death Sudden
    Information and support for people bereaved by a sudden or unexpected death.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Missing person Missing People
    Practical and emotional support when someone is missing, including support around ambiguous loss.

Road death

Homicide, crime and conflict

  • UK and Northern Ireland Murder or manslaughter Support After Murder and Manslaughter
    Peer support for relatives, friends and others affected by murder or manslaughter, with no time limit on seeking help.
  • Northern Ireland Crime Victim Support NI
    Emotional, practical and criminal-justice support for people affected by crime.
  • Northern Ireland The Troubles WAVE Trauma Centre
    Support for people bereaved, injured or traumatised through the Northern Ireland conflict.
  • Northern Ireland Victims and survivors Victims and Survivors Service
    Support and funding programmes for eligible victims and survivors of the Northern Ireland conflict.
  • Northern Ireland Advocacy Relatives for Justice
    Support, advocacy and practical assistance for relatives bereaved or injured through conflict.

Specific medical causes

  • UK and Northern Ireland Young sudden cardiac death Cardiac Risk in the Young
    Specialist bereavement support following a sudden cardiac death in a young person.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Sudden arrhythmic death SADS UK
    Information and support following sudden arrhythmic death syndrome.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Heart conditions British Heart Foundation: Coping with Loss
    Information and support following a death connected with a heart or circulatory condition.
  • UK Sudden unexplained child death SUDC UK
    Support following the sudden unexplained death of a child aged 1 to 18.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Meningitis Meningitis Now
    Bereavement support for families and individuals affected by a death from meningitis.

Addiction and cancer

  • UK Drugs or alcohol Addiction Family Support
    Support for families affected or bereaved by another person’s drug or alcohol use.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Drugs or alcohol Cruse: Death from Drugs or Alcohol
    Information about the particular emotions and difficulties that can follow a substance-related death.
  • Northern Ireland Cancer Cancer Focus NI Counselling
    Counselling for people affected by cancer, including bereaved relatives.
  • UK and Northern Ireland Cancer Macmillan Grief Support
    Information and support following the death of someone with cancer.

Know of a useful resource?

If you know of a useful website, organisation or service that should be included, please contact me with the details. I’ll review your suggestion and, if it is relevant, add it to the directory. Alternatively, if you need to updates please do let me know.

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