Bereavement Matters Season 2026 

November and December 2026 

A UK-wide season of remembering, awareness and support 

Bereavement affects every part of life, yet too many people face it without the understanding or support they need.

Throughout November and December Bereavement Matters Season will bring together, amplify and build upon the various grief and bereavement themes and opportunities throughout these months.  It creates a shared opportunity to remember those who have died, raise awareness of the impact of bereavement and help people find support. 

November and December bring bereavement into particular focus with All Saints/All Souls Day, Remembrance Day, Children’s Grief Awareness Week, International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, National Grief Awareness Week, Diwali, Hanukkah, Christmas and other winter festivals. This time of year can intensify grief and feelings of loss as people gather with family and friends and face important traditions. Bereavement Matters Season provides opportunities to share advice and help people find support during these difficult months. 

Take part in the season

Our increasing partners:

Contact SeniorExec@AtaLoss.org if you would like to discuss partnering with us.

A call to action

In October 2022, The UK Commission on Bereavement’s report: Bereavement is everyone’s business, identified a national need for better bereavement support, calling all sectors to work together and making 27 recommendations around eight principles for change. Some have been achieved but much more needs to be done. This inaugural Bereavement Matters Season focuses on one of them: ‘I can easily find and access the right emotional bereavement support for my circumstances.’  

We hope to bring greater voice to other principles in future years.

Key moments during the Season 

30th October to 11th  November

Remembering together

The Season begins with a service at St Paul’s (30th Oct), followed by All Saints/All Souls’ (1st-2nd Nov), Diwali (6th-10th Nov) and Remembrance Day (14th Nov). Each offers a different opportunity to remember those who have died. 

Personal remembering

At the start of the season Cathedrals can be visited for an All Souls' Service or throughout the period to light a candle. 

16th to 22nd November 

Children and young people 

Children’s Grief Awareness Week (16th-22nd Nov) presents many opportunities to increase understanding of how children and young people experience bereavement.  

Find out more about Children's Grief Awareness Week

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day (21st Nov) is an occasion to recognise the grief of all those who are bereaved by suicide. 

Find out more about Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide

From 23rd November

Improving how organisations respond

Anyone whose work brings them into contact with bereaved people can make a difference. We recommend this period focuses on how employers, healthcare providers, public services and communities can respond well and direct people to further help. 

2nd to 8th December

Helping people find support  

National Grief Awareness Week (2nd-8th Dec) is an opportunity to highlight grief for all those who are bereaved.  We invite organisations across the UK to direct bereaved people to AtaLoss.org around the many conversations and activities of the week to ensure they find support.  

Throughout December and into the New Year

The Advent to Christmas period (1st-25th Dec), Hanukkah (4th-12th Dec), New Year 31st Dec/1st Jan) and other winter festivals and gatherings, can intensify grief and the absence of someone who has died. We encourage focus on support and navigating grief during this period and into the New Year. 

Take part in Bereavement Matters Season

Whether you are taking part as an individual, organisation, workplace, school, community or faith group, one practical action can make a difference. There are many ways to take part in Bereavement Matters Season. Individuals can remember someone who has died, reach out to someone who is grieving, and share information about where to find bereavement support. Organisations can download and use the resource pack across their own channels, run activities, improve how they respond to bereaved people, and direct people to AtaLoss.org.

Do whatever you or your organisation finds easiest to raise awareness of bereavement, and support those who have been bereaved. 

Include Bereavement Matters Season branding in new or already planned activities - always ensuring signposting to AtaLoss.org. 

Download the Bereavement Matters Season resource pack

Join us as we launch Bereavement Matters Season

Bereavement Matters Season will launch at a special Service of Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral on Friday 30th October, at 5pm, marking the tenth anniversary of AtaLoss. 

Bereaved people, families and friends will join bereavement organisations, healthcare and community services, national and faith leaders and people from across public life to remember those who have died and affirm the importance of bereavement support. 

Everyone is welcome. 

Book your free place

Dedicate a candle in memory