A range of services are available to support you and your family and friends after someone has died.
Useful contacts
Carer services |
Carer Gateway 1800 422 737
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Practical information, resources and counselling for carers. |
CarerHelp
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Information for people caring for someone at end of life. |
Young Carers Network |
Support for young people under 25 caring for a family member or friend. |
Counselling and support services |
Australian Psychological Society |
Use the “Find a Psychologist” search to look for someone in your area. |
Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 |
24-hour telephone counselling service; online and email counselling available 7 days a week. |
Canteen 1800 835 932 |
Supports young people aged 12–25 affected by their own or a close family member’s cancer diagnosis. |
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 |
Telephone and online counselling service and crisis support for young people aged 5–25. |
Lifeline 13 11 14 |
24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention service. |
Redkite 1800 592 410 |
Offers financial, emotional and educational support for people with cancer aged up to 18, as well as their families and networks. |
Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 |
24-hour telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide. |
Grief-specific services |
Feel the Magic 1300 602 465 |
In person and online camps and grief resources for kids aged 7–18 after the death of a parent, guardian or sibling.
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Resources for people experiencing grief. |
1300 845 745
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Telephone and online counselling service and support groups for all Australians who have experienced a loss.
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GriefLink |
Online information for the bereaved and grieving, carers, friends and colleagues. |
Red Nose Grief and Loss 1300 308 307 |
Online and telephone support for anyone affected by the death of a baby or child. |
The Compassionate Friends Australia 1300 064 068 |
24-hour grief telephone support, YouTube channel, support groups, online information, one-on-one peer support. |
Question checklist
Asking your health professionals questions can help you find the right support. You may want to include some of the questions below in your own list.
Questions for your doctors
- How do I know if what I’m feeling is a typical reaction?
- How can I cope with grief? How long does it last?
- When should I think about getting professional support?
- Where can I get help for how I am feeling?
- How can I support my children who are grieving?
- People keep pressuring me to move on. Do I have to?
- I’m having trouble sleeping.
Can you help with that?
- How can I find a professional counsellor or psychologist?
- How can I connect with other people who are grieving? Should I join a bereavement support group?
- Are there any complementary therapies you think might help me? Questions for your psychologist, counsellor or other mental health professional • What type of therapy do you recommend?
- How long will the therapy last?
- What will the session cost? Can the cost be reduced if I can’t afford it?
- Who can I call after hours if I need immediate emotional support?
- Should I consider medicines to support my emotional health?
- Can you recommend any books I can read on grief and loss?
- Are there any apps, podcasts or online programs that might be helpful?
Expert content reviewers:
A/Prof Lisa Beatty, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Consulting Clinical Psychologist, Flinders University Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, SA; Sandra Anderson, Consumer; Dr Alexandra Clinch, Palliative Medicine Specialist and Deputy Director, Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Christopher Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Grief Australia; Nathan MacArthur, Specialist Grief Counsellor and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Sydney Grief Counselling Services, NSW; Linda Magann, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Palliative Care, St George Hospital, NSW; Palliative Care Australia; Richard Upton, Consumer; Lesley Woods, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA
Page last updated:
The information on this webpage was adapted from Understanding Grief (2023 edition). This webpage was last updated in November 2023.