If a friend or family member has been recently bereaved we may start to treat them differently. Many of us struggle to know what to say to someone who has just lost a child, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew, or a grandchild. Sometimes we may think that it is easier to just avoid them.

The problem is that people who have just lost a loved one often need a lot of support.

Dying Matters is a national coalition led by the Council for Palliative Care. They produce a range of leaflets that may help you to keep those conversations going.

Topics include :

• I could do with a chat - how to help someone close to you who has been bereaved

• What to do if someone you know has been bereaved

• Talking to children about dying

Dying Matters also produces a DVD for families and professionals about how to include people with learning disabilities in discussions around death, dying and bereavement. View it in full on the Dying Matters website.

Care for the Family is a website with information for those wanting to help support bereaved friends or family members.