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This section is aimed at supporting the family or friends of the person with cancer once they have died.
Grief and bereavement affect people in different ways - our relationship with the person will have been unique to us; in the same way, how we cope with the loss of the person will be individual. It is important to remember that you are not alone at this time - there are different people and organisations that can be of support. Some of the organisations that can be of support are listed below. There is also a list of other places where you can read more about grief and bereavement.
Remember, Palliative Care Clinical Nurse Specialists continue to support the family after the person with cancer has died. They will put the family in contact with other sources of support and information.
Organisations that may be of support...
Hospice Isle of Man
Ongoing bereavement support is offered to relatives and friends of patients who have been cared for either at home or within the Hospice. This service is provided by the Bereavement Co-ordinator, a group of trained Bereavement Visitors and the Hospice Chaplain. For more information on Hospice Bereavement Support and Counselling, contact Hospice Isle of Man on 01624 626530 click here.
CRUSE Bereavement Care - Isle of Man
CRUSE exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people, and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. For more information, contact CRUSE Isle of Man on 01624 668192.
The Compassionate Friends
This organisation specialises in providing support for bereaved parents. Telephone 0845 123 2304.
Winston's Wish
This charity supports bereaved children. It has a range of resources which may help families to explain to children about serious illness and possible bereavement, including practical suggestions (e.g. making a memory box). Telephone 08452 03 04 05.
Samaritans
Someone to talk to, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by telephone or email. Contact the Isle of Man helpline on 01624 663399, or the UK helpline on 08457 909090.
You may also like to contact our Macmillan Cancer Information Centre, or click here to visit our useful contacts list for information about organisations, both on and off the Isle of Man.
The following sources of information about bereavement may also be helpful:
Royal College of Psychiatrists
This website has specific information about what is bereavement and how to cope with it. It also has useful links to other organisations that may be of additional support.
Book - Waterbugs and Dragonflies: Explaining Death to Children (ISBN 978082647819) by Doris Stickney
This short children's book uses a simple story to explain death to children in a way that even younger children may understand. This book is available from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
Book - Milly's Bug Nut (ISBN 0953912345) by Jill Janey
This book is published by Winston's Wish and is a children's story about a family coping with bereavement. This book is available to borrow from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
Book - Badger's Parting Gifts (ISBN 9780006643173) by Susan Varley
This short children's book uses a simple story to explain death to children in a way that even younger children may understand. This book is available to borrow from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
Booklet - When Someone with Cancer is Dying - from Macmillan Cancer Support
This booklet by Macmillan Cancer Support is aimed at families caring for someone with advanced cancer. It has practical advice on topics about the end of life, and information on bereavement. This booklet is available from the Macmillan Cancer Information Centre.
