FAMILIES in Skipton struggling to come to terms with the loss of a loved one are to be offered free bereavement support as part of a new scheme by funeral directors and qualified counsellors.

The service is being made available to adult clients of Howcroft’s Funeral Services as part of a partnership between leading trade association, the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) and bereavement support specialist Professional Help.

The SAIF Care scheme is in response to the growing awareness of the need for many people to seek support following the death of a close friend or relative.

Under SAIF Care, family members have access to an exclusive bereavement care line which is staffed by specialist bereavement advisors and is available from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Friday.

There is also support via a special online chat box. Howcrofts is also offering additional face-to-face counselling sessions to clients as part of the scheme.

Vicki Howcroft, Howcrofts managing director, said: “We hope that by joining SAIF it gives families the opportunity to engage with a counsellor and receive care that may benefit them and help during the grieving process.”

SAIF Care was launched in 2018 with members opting-in to offer the service. However, it has been so popular that the funeral profession trade association decided to roll it out to all 900-plus funeral director members at the start of 2020.

Terry Tennens, Chief Executive of SAIF, said that demand for bereavement counselling was huge.

“It was clear from our trial that people really welcome and rely on the extra support from their funeral director and we are certain that this will be replicated as we roll the service out to more of our members across the UK.

“Whether it’s a growing recognition by the NHS of the benefits of counselling, or the current demand placed on existing bereavement organisations, we are in no doubt that more people are seeking help following a death of someone close.

"It suggests that the famed British stiff upper lip has become outdated, as people become more aware of the benefits of getting professional support at a time of personal crisis. Funeral directors are ideally placed to help."

Catherine Betley, founder of Professional Help, added: “I’ve worked with funeral directors for a number of years now and it’s clear to me that many want to do more to help their clients. Through our partnership with SAIF, we are now able to offer support from qualified bereavement advisors to members of the public in their time of need.

“There is no time limit on grief but we do know that providing support early on in the journey can have significant benefits for a person’s wellbeing. I’m sure SAIF Care will provide help and comfort to many people.”

To find out more about the support offered following a bereavement, go to www.saif.org.uk.