End of life and bereavement services in Essex provide compassionate care and support for people living with life-limiting illness. In addition, they offer emotional and practical support for families, carers, and people who are bereaved.
These services focus on comfort, dignity, and quality of life. Importantly, they also help families and carers feel supported during difficult times and throughout bereavement.
Care and support are available in a range of settings. For example, care may be provided at home, in care homes, hospitals, or hospices. This flexibility helps ensure care reflects each person’s needs and preferences.
What is palliative and end of life care?
Palliative care
Palliative care focuses on improving quality of life for people living with serious or life-limiting illness. It can be provided at any stage of illness. In addition, it may be offered alongside other treatments.
Palliative care aims to:
- relieve pain and other symptoms
- support emotional, psychological, and spiritual wellbeing
- help people live as well as possible
Importantly, palliative care supports both the person receiving care and those close to them. As a result, families and carers often receive support alongside the individual.
End of life care
End of life care is part of palliative care. However, it usually refers to care in the final months, weeks, or days of life.
It focuses on:
- comfort and dignity
- respecting personal wishes
- supporting families and carers
Care can be provided in different settings. For example, some people receive care at home, while others may receive care in hospices, hospitals, or care homes. This allows care to be tailored to individual needs.
Hospice and bereavement support in Essex
Hospices work alongside NHS services to provide specialist end of life care. In addition, they offer emotional and practical support for families and carers.
Hospices may provide:
- specialist palliative care
- pain and symptom management
- emotional, psychological, and spiritual support
- support for carers and families
- bereavement counselling
Bereavement support is often available both before and after death. This means families can continue to receive support during bereavement.
Find hospice and bereavement services near you
You can find hospice and bereavement services through your local area pages. These pages provide detailed information about available support.
For example, support is available in:
Hospice and bereavement support in north east Essex Hospice and bereavement support in south east Essex Hospice and bereavement support in south west Essex Hospice and bereavement support in west EssexEach page includes details of available services and how to access them.
Lightwell bereavement counselling
Havens Hospices offers Lightwell Counselling, which provides bereavement counselling for adults across Essex.
This service is available to anyone aged 18 or over. For example, support is available for people whose loved one was not cared for by a hospice or who experienced sudden loss.
Support is available in several ways:
- in person
- by telephone
- online
As a result, people can access support in a way that works best for them.
For more information, visit the Lightwell Counselling webpage on the Havens Hospices website.
National bereavement and end of life support organisations
In addition to local services, national organisations provide emotional and practical support.
- Macmillan Cancer Support – practical advice and emotional support
- Marie Curie – nursing care and terminal illness support
- Hospice UK – hospice information and advice
- Cruse Bereavement Care – grief counselling and helplines
- At a Loss – searchable directory of bereavement services
These organisations can support you alongside local NHS and hospice services.
Urgent emotional support
Bereavement and end of life situations can be emotionally overwhelming. Support is available if you need someone to talk to.
You can:
- speak to your GP
- contact NHS 111
- contact Samaritans
- call 999 in an emergency
Support is available 24 hours a day.