White Rose Funerals
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Support & Guidance
Grief is a journey, not a destination. You don't have to walk it alone.
White Rose Funerals
Support & Guidance
Grief is a journey, not a destination. You don't have to walk it alone.
For support following a bereavement, please call 0292 0002 818
If someone has passed away, we’re always open to support you through your difficult moment, call 0292 0002 818
Go Beyond the Service with our Aftercare and Mental Health Support
The funeral service marks the beginning, not the end, of the healing process. At White Rose Funerals, our commitment to your family extends well beyond the day of the committal. We recognise that grief is a unique, challenging journey, and we are dedicated to ensuring you have access to continuous, compassionate support.
Understanding Grief: A Necessary Journey
Grief is a natural response to loss, but it can often feel overwhelming, isolating, and confusing.
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Normalising Your Feelings: It is common to experience a wide array of emotions—from deep sadness and fatigue to anger, guilt, and even relief. These feelings are valid and necessary for healing.
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The Lack of a Timeline: There is no "normal" length for grief. Be patient with yourself and those around you. Healing is a non-linear process, and intense feelings may reappear on anniversaries or holidays.
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When to Seek Help: If you find yourself unable to manage daily life, experiencing persistent hopelessness, or engaging in harmful coping mechanisms, please know that professional support is available and highly recommended.
Understanding The Differences In Grief?
Duration & Intensity
Intense emotions gradually decrease over the first 6–12 months. Sadness may return, but it does not prevent daily function.
Focus
Emotional pain coexists with daily life; the focus slowly shifts back to living, activities, and the future.
Function
Able to maintain basic day to day activities (work, hygiene, relationships), though with difficulty and sadness.
Risks
Isolation and Sadness
Supporting Someone Who Is Grieving
If you are reading this on behalf of a friend or family member, your support is invaluable. Knowing how to help can be difficult, but often, the simplest acts of presence are the most meaningful.
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Listen Without Fixing: Avoid clichés like "They are in a better place." Simply listen without judgment, allowing the person to express whatever feelings they have (sadness, anger, confusion).
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Offer Specific Help (Not Vague): Instead of saying, "Let me know if you need anything," offer specific tasks: "I'm coming over Thursday to mow the lawn," or "Can I bring dinner on Monday?"
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Acknowledge Anniversaries: Remember the difficult dates—the birthday, the wedding anniversary, or the anniversary of the death. A simple text or card on these days shows that you remember their pain.
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Encourage Professional Help: If you notice signs of severe isolation, self-neglect, or complex grief, gently encourage them to contact their GP or a professional counsellor
Suicide Prevention and Awareness
Understanding the signs of distress and knowing how to respond are the most important tools in suicide prevention. If you are concerned about a loved one, or if you are struggling yourself, please remember that help is available, and there is hope.
Recognising Warning Signs
Be alert to changes in a person’s behaviour or talk that may signal they are in crisis. Signs can include:
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Talking about suicide or feeling hopeless. They might say things like "I wish I wasn't here" or "Everyone would be better off without me."
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Increased Isolation. Pulling away from friends, family, and activities they once enjoyed.
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Extreme Mood Swings. Experiencing rage, anxiety, sudden calm, or feeling trapped.
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Giving Away Possessions or saying goodbye to people as if they won't be seen again.
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Increased Drug or Alcohol Use.
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Sleeping Changes. Sleeping much more or much less than usual.
How to Help Someone in Distress (The ALIVE steps)
If you are concerned, your caring presence can make a vital difference.
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Ask Directly: Gently and directly ask if they are having thoughts of suicide. Asking does not increase risk; it shows you care. You can say, "Are you thinking about ending your life?"
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Listen Non-Judgmentally: Take all feelings seriously. Do not argue, dismiss their pain, or offer clichés like "just cheer up."
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Involve Professionals: Encourage them to contact a crisis line or a mental health professional. Offer to help them make the call.
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Validate Feelings: Acknowledge their pain by saying something like, "It sounds like you are going through a terrible time, and I am here for you."
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Ensure Safety: If they are in immediate danger, do not leave them alone. Stay with them and call 999 or a crisis line immediately.
Immediate Crisis Support
If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or danger, please reach out to the professional, confidential resources below:
Our 24/7 Aftercare Team
07847 963326
Emergency Services
999
Call The Samaritans
Call 116 123 (Free from any phone)
What is the Hayat Foundation?
At White Rose Funerals, our care for your family extends beyond the service. The Hayat Foundation is our dedicated charitable arm, established to provide essential mental health and bereavement support that is culturally sensitive and community-focused.
We believe that true aftercare requires specialised support. Hayat Foundation is committed to addressing the critical intersections of BAME Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and Bereavement-Related Suicide Awareness.
By supporting the Hayat Foundation, we ensure our families and wider communities have access to the compassionate, informed resources they need during their most challenging times.
Visit our Hayat Foundation page today, to access specialised crisis information for the BAME community
Practical Guides and Support Resources
Meet The Aftercare Team Leader
Ahmed Alsisi brings a unique blend of compassion, expertise, and thought leadership to the role of Aftercare Team Leader. Recognising that the journey of grief requires sustained support, Ahmed designed White Rose Funerals' comprehensive aftercare strategy to extend far beyond the day of the committal.
As an established author in the field of bereavement and a thought leader committed to advancing professional standards, Ahmed integrates his published research into our daily practice, ensuring all families receive the most informed and sensitive care possible.
Crucially, Ahmed is the visionary force behind the Hayat Foundation, our dedicated charitable arm. Under his direction, the Aftercare Team works to seamlessly connect families to Hayat's specialised resources for BAME Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, and culturally sensitive support. Ahmed ensures that our commitment to community well-being is not just a promise, but a comprehensive, actionable reality, making the process of healing and recovery supported every step of the way.
8 Years as a Top 3 Funeral Director in Cardiff