The team at Switalskis understands that for many of our clients, contending with legal matters isn’t just an unfamiliar and complex situation - it often comes at a time of profound, life-changing loss.

Whether someone close to you has died due to medical negligence, an accident or following a long illness, grief often strikes hardest when energy is low, answers are few and support feels far away. This resource is here to offer guidance, and signpost supportive organisations that may help you as you work through the bereavement process.

Understanding your grief

Grief is a natural response to the death of a loved one. But just because it’s natural, that doesn’t mean it’s predictable. Some people express themselves through tears, while others feel numb. It’s common to experience sadness, guilt, exhaustion, anger or shame - sometimes all in the same day. You might feel pressure to 'move forward' before you're ready, or to carry on with daily life while feeling anything but yourself.

You may also notice physical symptoms such as disrupted sleep, headaches, tightness in the chest or appetite changes. These are a normal part of how the body reacts to loss.

There is no 'correct' way to feel. Whether you're experiencing complicated grief, anticipatory grief, a delayed response, or struggles with your mental health, what you're feeling is valid. The only way to deal with these symptoms is to first accept them, and realise that you are not alone.

Finding bereavement support

Many people find it difficult to ask for support after someone dies, but help is available. In fact, there are many compassionate, confidential services designed for this purpose. You don’t need to go through this alone - whether you want someone to listen, offer guidance or simply be there, the following national support charities can help you cope with your grief:

• Cruse Bereavement Support: free support via telephone, online chat and local groups.
• Marie Curie Bereavement Support: guidance and understanding for those grieving after a death caused by terminal illness.
• Sue Ryder Online Bereavement Support: peer support, forums and one-to-one counselling. This is a place to share experiences, get things off your chest and chat with people who understand.
• The Good Grief Trust: a service run by the bereaved, for the bereaved. This site is packed with resources.
• At a Loss: whatever support and advice you need about any kind of bereavement, you will find it here.
• Samaritans: free emotional support, 24 hours a day. Call their phone line on 116 123.

If you are looking for support in helping children and teenagers understand their feelings during the grieving process, there are several charities that can help you:

• Winston’s Wish: plenty of practical advice, stories and access to online bereavement support for young people experiencing grief.
• Child Bereavement UK: resources for helping grieving children, and lots of useful advice for those who wish to support them.
• Grief Encounter: counselling and activities to help young family members process loss.

Whether you want to talk, write things down or take in information quietly at your own pace, these organisations can offer you support in whatever way feels right for you.

Peer support and community groups

For many people, the most helpful support comes from others who have also lost someone close. Peer support from those in your community can offer a sense of belonging that formal advice often can't replace.

Here are some ways to connect with people in your area who understand what you're going through:

• Join a local support group: charities like Age UK organise meeting groups and befriending services through their local shops. They can arrange for someone to visit you for a cup of tea and a chat.
• Talk to your GP: your local doctor may be able to help you access community meet-ups, one-to-one counselling and other in-person sessions.
• Try your local community centre: these places often have information about any available bereavement support networks.
• Join online communities such as Sue Ryder’s Grief Space or the Good Grief Virtual Support Groups.

You might prefer quiet reading, talking one-on-one, or simply knowing that support is there when you're ready. However you choose to find help, you can do it in your own way and at your own pace. No matter how isolated or bereft you feel now, remember that others have found a way to keep going - and you will too.

Financial support

Losing someone can also bring unexpected financial strain. If you’re trying to manage difficult feelings alongside practical costs, there is help available:

• Mind’s guide to money and mental health offers advice for those struggling emotionally and financially.
• MoneyHelper’s funeral support guide outlines available financial help with funeral costs, including government schemes and charitable assistance.

When a death has happened because of someone else’s actions or negligence, it’s only natural to want answers - and, in some cases, to seek financial support. Compensation is sometimes available, and if you were financially dependent on the person you’ve lost, it can help to keep things on track. While compensation can’t make up for your loss, it may help ease some of the pressure that follows. It’s often possible to make a claim in cases where someone has died in an accident , or where medical negligence has played a part. If and when you feel ready, exploring these options can be one step towards finding stability and understanding during a deeply difficult time.

When to seek professional support

There is no time limit for grief, but sometimes it can feel like it’s set in for good. In these cases, it may start to affect your health, relationships or sense of safety. Consider speaking to a professional if:

• You feel stuck and unable to cope with day-to-day life tasks.
• Grief is affecting your physical health or making it difficult to eat or sleep.
• You feel overwhelmed or unable to concentrate.
• You have unresolved grief or want to talk about things you feel you can’t share with friends or family.

You can speak to your GP, or self-refer for therapy through NHS Talking Therapies . Private grief counselling is also an option, and some charities offer free sessions. Counselling doesn't mean something is 'wrong' with you - it simply provides a safe environment to talk honestly about difficult feelings.

Practical tasks after someone dies

Grief can take up all your energy - but alongside the emotional impact, there are often practical matters that need attention. These can feel difficult to face, especially when the loss is still raw.

You may find yourself needing to register the death, arrange the funeral, notify banks and pension providers, and begin sorting through legal and financial affairs. There might also be a will to locate, an estate to manage or unresolved debts or disputes to deal with.

If you’re not sure where to start, Citizens Advice offers a clear overview of what may need to be done in the days and weeks after someone dies. You can also read Switalskis' probate advice for support around wills, probate and estate management.

Coping with grief day to day

Grief can affect every part of your routine. What used to be simple can suddenly feel impossible. It can help to focus on basic care and small steps that offer even brief moments of steadiness. Below are some suggestions that may support you during this time:

• Keep basic routines: focus on cooking meals or getting fresh air each day.
• Reach out to someone: this might be a close friend, relative, support group, or health professional.
• Write your thoughts down: whether private or shared, it can help you to understand your emotions.
• Set boundaries: let others know if you're not ready to talk or socialise.
• Let yourself feel: whether that’s sadness, relief, frustration, or nothing at all, don’t try to resist what you’re feeling.
• Recognise your energy limits: don't be afraid to give yourself permission to rest.

No action can erase loss - but small acts of care will help you feel more in control and less isolated as you work through the days ahead.

Moving forward at your own pace

Grief doesn’t follow a straight line. It doesn’t end, but it does change. In time, the sharpest edges may soften - but that doesn’t mean forgetting, or feeling better overnight. You’re not expected to be ‘over it’, or to feel grateful, hopeful or strong if you’re not ready.

You can miss someone with your whole heart and still begin to find space for life again. You can cry, laugh, sit quietly, or start something new. You can take your time - whatever that looks like for you.

If you’re feeling lost, overwhelmed or unsure what to do next, support is out there. Talk to someone. Reach out to the support groups we have listed above. If you are ready to seek the justice and compensation you and your loved one deserve - get in touch with Switalskis. We are here to listen, and to help you feel less alone.

Support through legal processes

When you are dealing with grief the legal process can feel like too much to contend with - but you don’t have to face it alone. We will support you to secure the compensation you and your family deserve, to  cover your needs and make this period of your life more comfortable.

At Switalskis, we do more than handle claims. We create a safe, calm space where clients can speak openly about their loss, their feelings and what they need. We don’t ask people to move faster than they’re ready. When the time comes to explore what might be possible in terms of compensation, we’re here to talk things through - gently, clearly, and with care. We provide a safe space for our clients to express their emotions and feelings so they can tell us how they really feel. We don’t rush anyone into action. When people are ready, we are here to talk about what happened and what the legal options might be.

Get in touch

If you’ve lost a loved one and believe mistakes or negligence may have played a part, Switalskis is here to support you. We know that taking legal action isn’t easy, especially while you’re grieving—but when you’re ready, we can talk through your options in a way that feels calm, respectful and manageable.

Call us on 0800 138 0458 , or use our online form to contact us. We’ll listen carefully to your experience and offer clear advice, at a pace that suits you.