Cruse Breavement

Counselling Service for Widows and their Families

What is Cruse Bereavement?

Cruse South Hampshire, Bournemouth, Poole & Christchurch

The “Cruse Clubs Counselling Service for Widows and their Families” was registered as a charity in October 1959. In the years since we have expanded to help widowers, children and eventually all bereaved people, grown a network which includes over 4000 volunteers, and responded to national disasters and tragedies. In 2021 we became Cruse Bereavement Support, and we continue to adapt to meet the needs of those who are grieving in a changing world.

Cruse South Helpline: 0300 7904055

Cruse UK Helpline: 0808 808 1677

Cruse UK Values

Our Vision

Our vision is that we live in a world where everyone grieving is supported, respected and understood.

Our Misson

Our mission is that we support people through one of the most painful times in life – with bereavement support, information and campaigning.

Our Values

Values are crucial to the culture of any organisation. Our values underpin everything we do. Whether we’re talking to a client or to a member of our own team, we always strive to be kind, inclusive, ambitious and genuine.

We are kind

Kindness underpins how we communicate and treat each other. Much like with grief, we have no idea what another person’s journey is or what they are dealing with, so we approach and respond with kindness.

We are inclusive

Grief does not discriminate and neither do we. Everyone’s experience of a bereavement is different, and we honour everyone’s differences.

We are ambitious

We encourage and stretch each other. We are a highly motivated, passionate, professional and determined team. The more we succeed in our ambitions, the more we move towards our vision.

We are genuine

We are honest, open to real conversations, tackling difficult subjects. We respect the courage it takes to be vulnerable when seeking support and speaking up. We learn from mistakes, and we feel safe to be challenged. We bring our whole selves to our roles.

Cruse UK Impact in 2022

2,654 children received Cruse grief support

1.5 million people visited our website

8,400 people received grief assessments or brief support

Our local services

Each of our branches offers a unique mix of support services that is tailored to their local area.

Understanding Your Bereavement (group information sessions)

Our Understanding Your Bereavement sessions provide an overview of the different ‘grief models’ and help you understand the reasons behind how you’re feeling.

one to one support

We offer one to one sessions with one of our trained bereavement supporters. These usually take place over the phone or via a video call. In these sessions our volunteers will use counselling skills to help you understand how you’re feeling. Find out more.

Groups

Many of our branches offer peer to peer support groups. These include walking groups.

Waiting lists

Due to high demand for our services, many of our branches run a waitlist for support. When you get in touch with your local branch, they will let you know whether they are currently running a waitlist and how long you might expect to wait before receiving support.

testimonials

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Sophie Spurgeon
21 July 2025
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Robert, James and all at H&W went above and beyond to support us during such a difficult time for the family during the recent passing of our grandmother. She didn't want a funeral but they supported us to create a small and meaningful celebration of her life before cremation and took care of everything with such care and professionalism. Highly recommend.
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Debbie W
1 July 2025
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My brother requested no funeral, so we had a direct cremation. I wanted to be there though to see his coffin pass through the crematorium chapel. The result was very dignified and exactly as I’d hoped. Simon Head and his team are lovely - kind, caring people who make it all look effortless but clearly work very hard to achieve this level of professionalism. I couldn’t recommend highly enough.
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Emily Brittain
21 October 2024
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Fantastic service, really caring and supportive throughout process
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D “D”
24 July 2024
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This lovely family really care about what they do. Sadly, I’ve had to use them twice now I lost my mother and then very recently, my father. Simon and Catherine and everybody at Head And Wheeble are also very kind, thoughtful and supportive. One meeting and then I never had to repeat anything they took care of it all and let me get involved as much as I wanted to. Thank you for helping me to get through everything.
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Sarah Obrien
21 June 2024
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A very caring and professional company from when they took my dad till the service they clearly care about what they do and a excellent service is provided thankyou
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Nicola Nelson
12 January 2024
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I cannot recommend them enough. So kind and sensitive. So professional. They made my father's funeral so special.
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Paula Haynes
29 September 2023
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For a second time we have been in the best possible hands. Simon and his team looked after us with absolute professionalism, warmth, understanding and humour which saw us through another unbelievably sad time. From the very beginning they were with us, and we feel that even now their kindness continues to quietly ripple through. What a wonderful bunch of people - thank you!
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Maxwell
6 September 2023
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I haven’t tried them out yet. But got advertised a cremation and burial for £995. Dying to try it out
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Susan King
6 March 2023
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Head & Wheble are exceptional funeral directors who I can highly recommend. My brother passed away under unfortunate circumstances and we nearly gave him a direct cremation. Thank God we came to senses the day before the cremation was due to take place. Cheryl was extremely understanding of our change of mind and reorganised everything for us at very short notice. This was all handled with kindness and nothing was too much trouble. We don't live in Bournemouth so everything was arranged over the telephone and email. Cheryl recommended a celebrant, Chris Kelly, who delivered the service with caring and professionalism. H&W also recommended a venue for the reception afterward. The crematorium was beautiful and my brother got a decent send-off and this was all thanks to Cheryl and the team.