Our approach
Grief is uniquely personal to you and your circumstances. What we do know is that it can take you by surprise, influence your behaviour and have a serious impact on your life. Here’s a range of resources we offer to help.
Look after yourself
Feelings associated with grief can be intense. Bereavement can trigger anger, numbness, exhaustion, frustration, loneliness and depression — and many more emotions.
Advice from those who’ve walked alongside families
Go easy on yourself. Change is inevitable as you come to terms with the absence of someone you love. Allow this to happen at a pace you can manage. Don’t pressure yourself to do or be anything other than who and where you are right now.
Take time to grieve. There’s no time frame for managing after a loss. The space you need to grieve may arrive at an unexpected moment — sometimes many months later. That’s completely normal.
Feelings can be different. You may experience feelings you’ve never had before, or familiar ones that suddenly feel extreme. As time passes, emotions come and go in varying waves. Don’t bottle them — what you feel is real.
Something to watch for
People who know you may notice a change before you do. If someone close mentions new behaviours or reactions, it’s worth pausing. Ignoring signs of change or bottling feelings rarely helps.
Your loss is personal. Others can empathise and be a great source of support, but they will never fully know what you’re experiencing. Help those around you understand what you need so they can adjust too — and be wary of well-meaning clichés like “time heals” or “it’s been months now”.
Create a support system. Surround yourself with people who respect what you’ve gone through — those who will listen, support and encourage you when you need them.
Memories matter. Treasure the mementos, pictures and personal items that help keep memories special. There’s still time to create new ones.
Acorns: our bereavement support programme
Acorns
Complimentary · In-person · 6-week programme
Recognising the need for ongoing care after a funeral, William Purves offers a complimentary bereavement support programme. Acorns is in-person group support delivered over six weeks, offering practical skill-sharing from professionals in areas like health, nutrition and finance.
Its real value lies in the bonds formed amongst attendees. In a very short time, trust and understanding brings twelve strangers together — no matter their age or background — and these relationships provide invaluable support for years to come.
What the six sessions cover
Feelings and Possibilities
Exploring aspects of loss
Common Questions
Reassurance and health concerns
Practicalities
Nutrition and looking after yourself
Money Matters
Understanding financial issues
Socialising Again
Facing the world together
Where to Next?
Looking forward together
Attending criteria
- Open to anyone living with loss
- Over 18 years of age, with no upper age limit
- Attendees can be accompanied by one person
- Six-week commitment required to complete the course
- Each session lasts 90 minutesAnnual rotation of morning, afternoon and evening-only courses
2026 sessions
Confirmed courses are available in Edinburgh. New courses in East Lothian and the Scottish Borders are coming — follow our website for updates.
Free one-to-one counselling
As a client of William Purves, you can access free bereavement support delivered by a qualified counsellor through SAIF, the Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors.
SAIF bereavement counselling
Free for William Purves familiesUp to six free sessions, usable by one person or split among family members
Sessions available by phone, online chat or email
Face-to-face sessions may be available — explore this during your introductory call
Local and specialist support
Depending on where you are, there are trusted local providers we can point you towards for group or individual support.
Richmond's Hope
Young people aged 4–18Richmond Craigmillar Church, 227 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 4PA Specialist support through individual or group counselling, play and other activities for bereaved young people.
0131 661 6818 • richmondshope.org.uk
Richmond's Hope
Young people aged 4–18Richmond Craigmillar Church, 227 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 4PA Specialist support through individual or group counselling, play and other activities for bereaved young people.
0131 661 6818 • richmondshope.org.uk
National organisations
Richmond Craigmillar Church, 227 Niddrie Mains Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 4PA Specialist support through individual or group counselling, play and other activities for bereaved young people.
Cruse Bereavement Support • Marie Curie
Books and guides
In every branch, we offer complimentary books on grief, bereavement and loss — for adults and children — from leading authors and specialists. Come into any branch, or call us and we’ll have them ready for you to collect.