Useful contacts Self-help groups and support networks exist to help people who've been widowed, or lost a partner, to cope.

National Association of Widows (NAW)

Tel: 0845 838 2261
Website: www.nawidows.org.uk
Offers a national and branch programme of social and other events, member contact lists, a telephone befriending service, newsletters, an online discussion forum. Membership is open to women of all ages who've been bereaved. Widowers can also become members.

The WAY Foundation

Tel: 0870 011 3450
Website: www.wayfoundation.org.uk
Self-help, social and support network for men and women widowed up to the age of 50, and their children. Aims to help those widowed at an early age to rebuild their lives. Support services include local groups and events, online chatrooms and email correspondence, newsletters, and holidays.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Tel: 0844 477 9400
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Bereavement counselling and support by trained volunteers on the phone, face-to-face in your home, or through local groups mediated by bereavement support workers. Also provides information on practical issues raised by bereavement.

Samaritans

Tel: 0845 790 9090
Website: www.samaritans.org
A 24-hour confidential, emotional support service for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.

National Bereavement Partnership

Tel: 0845 226 7227
Website: www.natbp.org.uk
National helpline for bereaved people.

Merrywidow

Website: www.merrywidow.me.uk
Online support and messageboards based around one woman's account of being widowed young.

Support and Care After Road Death and Injury (SCARD)

Tel: 0845 123 5542
Website: www.scard.org.uk
Helps people who've been bereaved, or affected by road death, and/opr have been injured. Access to free practical and legal help and counselling.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)

Tel: 0870 241 3337
Website: www.sobs.admin.care4free.net
Supports people bereaved by suicide. Provides a confidential helpline, email support information, group meetings and events.

Support after Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM)

Tel: 020 7735 3838
Website: www.samm.org.uk
Emotional support for those bereaved through murder or manslaughter. Support services include self-help groups and contact between members.

Lesbian and Gay Bereavement Helpline

Tel: 020 7403 5969
Website: www.londonfriend.org.uk
Helpline run by the voluntary organisation London Friend, which provides support and practical information. London-based but with database of services and charities throughout the UK.

Direct.gov.uk

Website: www.direct.gov.uk
Has a 'Death and bereavement' section with information about practical issues, including making a will, what to do immediately following a death, benefits, money and property.

Job Centre

Website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Financial and benefit information.

The Bereavement Register

Website: www.thebereavementregister.org.uk
Register to stop direct mail being sent to the deceased.

INQUEST

Website: www.inquest.org.uk
Information and advice about the inquest process.