Australian grief resources and practical first steps

If help is needed now

If someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000). If you are having thoughts of suicide or feel unable to stay safe, contact a crisis service now or ask someone you trust to stay with you while you call.

• Lifeline: call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or use online chat (available 24 hours a day)
• Suicide Call Back Service: call 1300 659 467 for phone or online counselling
• Beyond Blue: call 1300 22 4636 or use online chat for brief counselling (available 24 hours a day)
• Kids Helpline: call 1800 55 1800 or use web chat (available 24 hours a day for Australians aged 5 to 25)

Official crisis and mental health contacts

Lifeline Australia provides 24-hour phone, text and online crisis support.

Suicide Call Back Service supports people feeling suicidal, worried about someone, or affected by suicide.

Beyond Blue provides 24-hour brief telephone and online counselling and can help people find further support.

Kids Helpline provides free phone and online counselling for young people aged 5 to 25.

Phone services, operating details and eligibility can change. Use the linked provider page to confirm the current options. Held in Memory is not affiliated with these services.

Bereavement-specific support

Grief Australia provides specialist bereavement information, counselling and support pathways. Its publicly funded counselling eligibility can depend on location and program, so check the service details before relying on availability or cost.

Griefline provides grief and loss information, online programs and a national helpline for Australian adults. Call 1300 845 745 and check the website for current operating hours.

Red Nose Grief and Loss supports families affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, SIDS and the death of a baby or child. Its support line is 1300 308 307.

Healthdirect: grief and loss explains common grief responses, when to seek professional help and how to find Australian health services.

Choosing the right kind of help

Different support can be useful at different times. A trusted friend, cultural or faith leader, GP, counsellor, psychologist, specialist bereavement service or peer group may each offer something different. You do not need to wait until grief becomes unbearable before asking what is available.

Speak with a GP or mental health professional when grief is causing intense and ongoing distress, making daily tasks or relationships very difficult, significantly affecting sleep or appetite, or bringing thoughts of self-harm. A GP can also help distinguish grief from depression or another health issue and discuss suitable referrals.

Practical first steps after a death

What happens first depends on where and how the person died. If a death is unexpected at home, call 000. After an expected death at home under an established care plan, contact the person’s doctor or palliative care team for guidance. A hospital, aged-care provider, funeral director, police or coroner may guide other circumstances.

Services Australia: what to do when a loved one dies is a useful starting point for government notifications, payments and support. Requirements differ between states, territories and individual circumstances, so use official guidance rather than a general checklist for legal or registration decisions.

• Ask one relative or friend to keep notes from important calls.
• Record the contact person for the doctor, facility, funeral director and family.
• Keep certificates and account information together, but share sensitive documents only when necessary.
• Write down deadlines separately from tasks that can wait.
• Accept practical help with meals, transport, children, pets or contacting others.

Supporting someone who is grieving

Offer something specific: bring a meal, make a call, sit with them or remember an upcoming difficult date. Listen without trying to explain the loss or set a timetable for recovery. It is fine to say that you do not know what to say.

Keep checking in after the funeral, when practical support often becomes quieter. Ask before giving advice and respect cultural, spiritual and personal ways of grieving. If you are worried about immediate safety, treat it as urgent and contact 000 or a crisis service.

Writing or creating a memorial without pressure

A memorial page can wait. If collecting photographs or stories feels helpful, begin with a private draft and one small task. If it feels exhausting, stop and return another day or ask a trusted person to gather notes.

Do not publish private medical information, contact details or disputed family stories in the urgency of funeral planning. A correct name, dates, portrait and short remembrance can be enough for the first version. The longer life story and gallery can grow later.

Common questions

Is Held in Memory a grief counselling service?

No. Held in Memory provides online memorial pages and practical memorial information. Contact a qualified support provider, health professional or crisis service for personal mental health care.

Is there a “normal” length of time to grieve?

Grief varies between people and circumstances. Seek professional support when distress is intense or ongoing, daily life is becoming very difficult, or you are worried about your safety or someone else’s.

What should I say to someone who is grieving?

Acknowledge the person who died, listen and offer specific practical help. Avoid comparing losses, giving a timetable or trying to make the grief sound positive.

Can I create a memorial slowly?

Yes. Start privately with the verified basics, save the work and return when you are ready. There is no need to complete every section before sharing or before the funeral.

Helpful next reads

• Write a life story in manageable steps
• Choose and caption memorial photographs
• Keep a memorial private while preparing
• Understand online memorial choices