Helpful info,places,books and real people too!

Marie Curie Information & support, including short videos, around End of Life Care

Local Hospice providing services for people with a life limiting disease / their carers & local community. On site cafe, groups, choir etc

Naomi House Local Hospice supporting children / teenagers with Life Limiting conditions

Living Well Dying Well – 01273 479114

Training Doulas (companions) for the dying; supporting families and individuals at the end of life; ‘Embracing Death and Dying’ courses for professionals and the public.

Carers UK 0808 808 7777

Helpline and free booklets and online downloads topics include: What help is available? Coming out of hospital, Residential or nursing care, What to do when caring ends, Advice for carers and former carers. Support groups for carers.

Carers in Southampton

Local support & information for all unpaid Carers, based in Portswood

Dying Matters

The Coalition’s Mission is to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life

My Wishes

MyWishes’ goal is to ensure that everyone documents what they would like to happen to their physical & digital estate, the care they may require in the future, and the care of any dependents they may have (children, pets etc).

Dignity in Dying – 020 7479 7730

We campaign to change the law to allow the choice of assisted death for terminally ill, mentally-competent adults, within upfront safeguards.

Good Funeral Guide Independent information resource

Home funeral Network

The Home Funeral Network UK offers support, education and guidance for all those involved in arranging a home based, family led funeral.

The Association of Independent Celebrants 01652 634063

Reflect on the life of the deceased with a religious or secular (non-religious) service/ceremony, or a fusion of the two.

Beyond - Compare Funeral Directors Nationally, on price and service

Natural Death Centre – 01962 712 690

Free advice and information about death and dying helping people make informed choices about death and burial.

Organ Donation – 0300 1231107

Information about donating organs.

Soul Midwives – Spiritual and holistic companions to those facing the end of life.

Bereavement

Blue Cross, Pet bereavement support. 0800 096 6606

The Compassionate Friends 08451 232304
Charity of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents supporting others who have been similarly bereaved.

Cruse – 01865 245398
Free support to all bereaved people – information, counselling support and training services.

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

Simon Says 01794 323934

Local childhood bereavement organisation supporting children and families facing any kind of death.

Winstons Wish – 08452 03 04 05
National childhood bereavement organisation supporting children and families facing any kind of death.

White Lily Centre This Southampton centre offers one to one Bereavement Counselling, Support Groups & Community Events

Living with Loss Cafe. Monthly in Chandlers Ford

A Few Written Resources We Like :

'With The End In Mind' Dr Kathryn Mannix.

A Palliative Care Doctor reflects on several different individuals and their families, to give a real glimpse of how the End Of Life can be.

'Is Daddy Coming Back in a Minute' & 'What Happened to Daddy's Body?' by Elke Barber (Check out her Tedex talk too)

How she answered real life questions from her 3 year old son.

Outside The Box:

'Everyday Stories Of Death, Bereavement And Life, with 'expert' commentary on each chapter' by Liz Rothschild.

'The Natural Death Handbook' Edited by The Natural Death Centre.

An influential guide covering practical, emotional & spiritual aspects of Death & Dying. A favourite essay was by Carla Zilbersmith (US Actress)

The Good Funeral Guide by Charles Cowling.

It is what it says.

'My Fathers Wake' by Kevin Toolis.

In describing the dying & death of his father, Sonny, Kevin paints a picture of an age old custom in Ireland - where an important ritual is carried out - something that prepares everyone in the Community for their own eventual death.

'Can't we Talk about Something More Pleasant?' by Roz Chast.

New Yorker Cartoonist Roz takes us through the years of her parents' decline, her visits & ultimately, their death. Funny and Poignant.

'From Here To Eternity' by Caitlin Doughty (USA)

Caitlin travelled the globe looking at cultural practices for the dead.

I recall her saying that all the customs are odd - unless they're your own. We promise some extremely interesting insights!