Bereavement in the Workplace
Resources, support and guidance
Coping with a bereavement and loss at work can be incredibly difficult. Below is a guide to help you, your colleagues, or employees navigate financial support and practical help during bereavement.
Financial Support
A number of organisations offer support with financial difficulties resulting from a bereavement.
- Citizens Advice: You can find your local branch or outreach service on Suffolk Infolink
- Debt charities, including:
Available financial support
There is a range of financial support available to people who are struggling financially with costs associated with bereavement.
Bereavement-Specific Government Support
You may be entitled to financial support from the government to help with costs such as funerals, supporting children, or taking parental bereavement leave.
For the full list, visit the government’s bereavement benefits page.
General support
When people lose a loved one this can also mean they are losing an income and thus can find it hard to manage financially on a single income.
You should check if you are eligible for any benefits or social tariffs. Many people don’t realise they are eligible for benefits, but you can check eligibility quickly and easily using a benefits calculator, this will identify any benefits you might be eligible for as well as eligibility for schemes like Free School Meals for children or help with medical prescription costs. If you are already in receipt of any benefits you should also check as your changed circumstances might affect your current entitlements.
Water and Broadband companies offer social tariff schemes to low-income households so it can be worth contacting your provider and advising of your changed circumstances. A social tariff provides a discounted rate for your water or broadband.
Other useful tools and information
The Money Helper website has a bill prioritiser tool that can help you manage any bills you are struggling with and identify if there is any support available.
Suffolk Infolink has a dedicated cost-of-living page which provides a wide range of information on local organisations and support available to people who are struggling financially.
Anglia Care Trust have a good booklet that provides advice on Reducing Everyday Living Costs.
Please find below all other relevant Bereavement resources for employers.