Neville Funerals celebrates success of free grief support groups

Neville Funerals’ branch in Dunstable is celebrating the success of its free bereavement support scheme, Talking Elephants, which saw the number of attendees rise by 34% in two years.

The funeral provider also found that the Dunstable-based Talking Elephants groups are the most popular of all of the group’s free support groups. 

Established across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Neville Funerals’ Talking Elephants groups provide bereavement support for local communities. 

According to a paper in the National Library of Medicine, services like these are “central to bereavement support in the UK”. 

Established across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, Neville Funerals’ free friendly bereavement support groups provide a safe place for individuals to come together and share experiences of grief.

James Witham, branch manager at Neville Funerals, said: “We’re really pleased to see the increase in local interest for our free bereavement support group. This year, we have really focused on spreading the word in the hope more people will benefit from these sessions. 

“Within our local area, we are one of the only free, accessible bereavement support groups and there continues to be a lack of provision for those needing the support during difficult points in life.

He added: “Each of our sessions starts with conversation cards as we appreciate it can be challenging to know what to say in a bereavement setting. Once we have all got to know each other and the new faces have been welcomed, our sessions provide a safe place to have a cup of tea and discuss grief with people in similar situations.”