Last Updated on January 13, 2025
Grief Telephone Support Helplines
Free to use grief telephone support helplines are invaluable when you are grieving and in early bereavement. In the early days, weeks and months following the death of a spouse or partner, it is common to have strong feeling of loss and isolation.
For many widowed people it may be your first time to consider the use of a telephone support line. If you are grieving you may find talking to someone outside of your family or circle of friends a great help. The following registered charities provide their services free of charge.
Irish Hospice Foundation Bereavement Support Line
A confidential space for people to speak about their experience or to ask questions relating to the death of someone.
Freephone 1800 807 077 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday
Visit hospicefoundation.ie
Pieta
Free individual counselling, therapy and support for people who have been bereaved by suicide and for people who are thinking about suicide.
Freephone 1800 247 247 anytime
Text HELP to 51444 – standard message rates apply
Visit pieta.ie
Samaritans
Emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope or needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Contact jo@samaritans.ie
Freephone 116 123 anytime
Visit samaritans.org
Spunput Text About It
A free text service, ‘Text About It’ provides a safe space where you’re listened to by a trained volunteer. You’ll text back and forth, only sharing what you feel comfortable with.
By asking questions, listening to you and responding with support, they will help you sort through your feelings until you both feel you are now in a calm, safe place.
Text HELLO to 086 1800 280 anytime
Visit textaboutit.ie