Advice and support

Arranging a funeral can be a difficult and worrying time. There are support organisations that give you practical advice and emotional support throughout the process.

Calls to these organisations may not be free. Find out about call charges on GOV.UK.

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland
Phone: 0808 802 6161 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am to 2pm)
Email: info@crusescotland.org.uk
Cruse offer one-to-one counselling across Scotland. They give support through their helpline for anyone who has been bereaved.

Quaker Social Action – Down to Earth
Phone: 020 8983 5055 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm)
Email: downtoearth@qsa.org.uk
Provides support for people struggling with the costs of a funeral.

Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, every day)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Gives confidential emotional support for people experiencing distress, despair or suicidal thoughts. Find local support.

Natural Death Centre
Phone: 01962 712 690
Independent help, support and advice on planning a funeral.

Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief
Raises awareness of ways of dealing with death, dying and bereavement.

The Good Funeral Guide
Independent information to help you arrange a funeral and get value for money.

Caledonia Funeral Aid 
A practical guide to help you organise a funeral.

Helpful guidance

Visit gov.scot to check what to do after a death in Scotland for more detailed guidance. 

Read explanations of the most common terms used by the funeral industry on gov.scot.