A range of services are available to support you and your family and friends after someone has died.
Carer services
| Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 | Practical information, resources and counselling for carers. |
| CarerHelp | Information for people caring for someone at end of life. |
| Young Carers Network | Support for young people under 25 caring for a family member or friend. |
Counselling and support services
| Australian Psychological Society | Use the “Find a Psychologist” search to look for someone in your area. |
| Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 | 24-hour telephone counselling service; online and email counselling available 7 days a week. |
| Canteen 1800 835 932 | Supports young people aged 12–25 affected by their own or a close family member’s cancer diagnosis. |
| Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 | Telephone and online counselling service and crisis support for young people aged 5–25. |
| Lifeline 13 11 14 | 24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention service. |
| Redkite 1800 592 410 | Offers financial, emotional and educational support for people with cancer aged up to 18, as well as their families and networks. |
| Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 | 24-hour telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide. |
Grief-specific services
| Feel the Magic 1300 602 465 | In person and online camps and grief resources for kids aged 7–18 after the death of a parent, guardian or sibling. |
| Grief Australia | Resources for people experiencing grief. |
| GriefLine 1300 845 745 | Telephone and online counselling service and support groups for all Australians who have experienced a loss. |
| GriefLink | Online information for the bereaved and grieving, carers, friends and colleagues. |
| Red Nose Grief and Loss 1300 308 307 | Online and telephone support for anyone affected by the death of a baby or child. |
| The Compassionate Friends Australia 1300 064 068 | 24-hour grief telephone support, YouTube channel, support groups, online information, one-on-one peer support. |
NSW support links
| Multicultural Health Communication Service | Provides multilingual health information, including about bereavement and grief. |
| National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG NSW) | Provides free, confidential, grief and loss support services. |
| NSW Government Grief Support | Information and support for people with cancer and their carers. Service NSW’s Savings Finder can help you find rebates and vouchers to help with the cost of living. |
Podcast: Coping with Grief
Listen to more episodes from our podcast for people affected by cancer
More resources
A/Prof Lisa Beatty, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology and Consulting Clinical Psychologist, Flinders University Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, SA; Sandra Anderson, Consumer; Dr Alexandra Clinch, Palliative Medicine Specialist and Deputy Director, Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Royal Melbourne Hospital, VIC; Christopher Hall, Chief Executive Officer, Grief Australia; Nathan MacArthur, Specialist Grief Counsellor and Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, Sydney Grief Counselling Services, NSW; Linda Magann, Clinical Nurse Consultant – Palliative Care, St George Hospital, NSW; Palliative Care Australia; Richard Upton, Consumer; Lesley Woods, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Caring for someone with cancer
Speak to a health professional or to someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum
Cancer Council Online Community
A community forum – a safe place to share stories, get tips and connect with people who understand
Cancer information
Emotions and cancer
People who are affected by cancer in some way can experience a range of emotions, that can be very challenging to deal with at times. Learn more.
End of life
This information may help you better cope with end of life, or support someone who may be dying with cancer