Bereavement Matters Season 2026
A national bereavement awareness two-month campaign - November and December
Bereavement Matters Season is a national, sector-wide awareness campaign running throughout November and December. Spearheaded by AtaLoss and supported by leading bereavement charities and organisations across sectors, it will build upon and strengthen the many existing grief and bereavement awareness weeks, themes and opportunities during the period.
Together, we want to give greater public voice to the impact of bereavement and help more people know where to turn for support.
Bereavement is everyone’s business
In 2022, the UK Commission on Bereavement identified a national gap in bereavement support and called for a whole-society response. Signposting, in particular, was identified as a need.
Much has been achieved since then, but there is still a long way to go. Bereavement can affect people’s health and wellbeing, relationships, education, employment and financial security.
By communicating together, we can:
increase public understanding of grief
amplify the voices and experiences of bereaved people
encourage more open conversations about death and bereavement
promote the importance of timely and appropriate support
strengthen the case for sustainable investment in bereavement services
Help people find support
A central aim of Bereavement Matters Season is to help people find the support that is right for them.
Organisations are encouraged to promote their own bereavement services and resources, but direct also to the range of specialist and local support available to spread the load, and ensure timely, holistic support.
AtaLoss.org helps people easily find the services and information relevant to their situation from more than 2,000 bereavement support services and resources across the UK.
Please include AtaLoss.org in relevant articles, posts, event information and public communications.
Key dates in 2026
Friday, 30th October
Launch of Bereavement Matters Season at St Paul’s CathedralMonday, 2nd November
All Souls’ Day
Sunday, 8th November
Remembrance SundayMonday, 16th to Sunday 22nd November
Children’s Grief Awareness WeekSaturday, 21st November
International Survivors of Suicide Loss DayWednesday, 2nd to Tuesday 8th December
National Grief Awareness WeekChristmas and other festivals
The period leading up to Christmas (25th Dec) can be especially difficult for many bereaved people. Diwali (8th Nov) and Hanukkah (4th-12th Dec) also take place.
Organisations may choose other dates, themes and activities that are particularly relevant to the people and communities they support. Whenever families and communities gather we want to ensure those who are missing loved ones are remembered and receive the support they need.
Launching the Season
Bereavement Matters Season will launch on AtaLoss’ 10th anniversary evensong service at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday, 30th October, 5pm.
The service will bring together bereaved people, bereavement and healthcare services, national and community leaders, dignitaries, public figures and others committed to improving how our society responds to bereavement from across the UK.
Open to everyone, through music, readings and prayer, we will remember those who have died, acknowledge the wide-ranging impact of bereavement and affirm the importance of support.
Take Part in Bereavement Matters Season 2026
Whether you are a national organisation, specialist charity, local service, healthcare provider, employer, educational institute, community group or individual, your involvement can help more people understand the realities of grief and know where to find support.
You could:
share lived experience and stories that increase understanding of grief
publish information about the impact of bereavement
promote your own bereavement support more widely throughout the period
mark one or more of the Season’s key dates
hold an event, conversation or act of remembrance
share Bereavement Matters Season messages through your communications
contribute to joint media and awareness activity
whatever you do please ensure you direct to ataloss.org to help people find timely, holistic support.
Start planning how you will take part and encourage your partners, colleagues and communities to join you.
A full resource pack, with practical ideas and materials to help you take part, will be available shortly.