Support for life with loss

Peer support after the death of a child or sibling. Trained lay counsellors offer online sessions and support at the Johannesburg centre; they are peers, rather than clinical therapists.

Find an accredited local provider and ask about family support before a death and bereavement support afterwards. This can be a starting point for finding help close to home.

Find a support group or ask SADAG which local or online group may fit your needs. Ask specifically about grief and bereavement when making contact.

Counselling for children and teens, and help for adults with child-related concerns. Call 116 or see the online counselling options, including a chat service accessible to D/deaf users.

A faith-based option for people who would welcome a Christian approach. Find locally hosted or online groups and ask the host about the format before joining.

Lessons from Loss

Dominique Olivier

Memoir and reflections

A Cape Town writer reflects on life after the sudden deaths of her husband and young daughter. Personal scenes sit alongside reflections on parenting, relationships and living with loss.

The Grief Handbook

Bridget McNulty

Practical guide and journal

Written after the South African author’s mother died, this book combines personal experience, expert perspectives and activities that readers can approach at their own pace.

An introduction to how grief can change over time, including why anniversaries and unexpected reminders can bring strong feelings back. There is no set sequence you have to complete.

Small, practical ideas for rest, daily life and asking for help. Choose something that feels possible today; you do not need to do everything at once.

Explains anticipatory grief and some feelings that can come with caring for someone who has a terminal illness. Includes a short video and suggestions for finding support.

Age-specific activities, information and support for families before and after a death. Includes material for parents and caregivers, and a Spanish-language resource collection.

Ideas for listening, offering practical help and sharing memories without trying to fix another person’s grief. For friends, family and colleagues who want to be there.

Ways to keep supporting someone after the first weeks, remember important dates and continue making room for the person who died in conversation.

Explores why people in the same family can grieve differently and why tensions may grow after a death. A starting point for understanding difficult feelings and seeking support.

Information for people grieving a pet or assistance animal, including grief before a death. The UK charity also describes its pet-loss support options; check access from your location.

Conversations about the many ways people experience grief. Browse episode descriptions and choose a topic that feels right; listening can be an alternative when reading feels hard.