Supporting the Grieving: A Compassionate Guide to Bereavement Care in Australia

Grief is a universal human experience, yet its expression is uniquely personal. When someone we care about faces loss, knowing how to provide meaningful support can feel overwhelming. The journey through grief isn’t linear—it’s a complex emotional landscape that changes over time, requiring different forms of support at different stages. In Australia, particularly in regional areas like Ararat and the Sunshine Coast, accessing appropriate grief support services presents both challenges and opportunities.

This guide explores evidence-based approaches to supporting those experiencing grief, with a focus on accessible resources throughout Victoria and across Australia in 2025. Whether you’re supporting a family member, friend, or seeking resources for yourself, understanding how to navigate the bereavement process compassionately can make a significant difference during life’s most difficult transitions.

What Does Grief Look Like in 2025?

Grief remains one of the most profound human experiences, though our understanding of it continues to evolve. The traditional “five stages of grief” model has given way to more nuanced frameworks that recognize grief as a highly individualized journey without a predetermined timeline or sequence.

In 2025, mental health professionals recognize that grief can manifest in numerous ways:

• Emotional responses: Beyond sadness, grieving individuals may experience anger, guilt, anxiety, relief, numbness, or a complex mixture of emotions that fluctuate over time.
• Physical symptoms: Fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, and even physical pain can accompany grief.
• Cognitive changes: Difficulty concentrating, memory lapses, and overwhelming thoughts about the loss are common.
• Social impacts: Some people seek connection during grief, while others withdraw, finding social interactions temporarily overwhelming.

Importantly, contemporary grief support acknowledges there is no “right way” to grieve. The bereaved person’s cultural background, relationship with the deceased, circumstances of the loss, and personal coping style all influence their grief expression. This modern understanding emphasizes supporting individuals through their unique grieving process rather than attempting to guide them through predetermined stages.

How Can We Effectively Support Someone Who Is Grieving?

Supporting someone through grief requires patience, presence, and practical assistance. Effective support approaches acknowledge the bereaved person’s individual needs while offering consistent companionship through their journey.

Active Listening and Emotional Presence

Perhaps the most valuable support you can offer is your attentive presence. This means:

• Creating space for the person to express their feelings without judgment
• Avoiding statements that minimize their experience (e.g., “at least they’re no longer suffering”)
• Accepting their emotions in whatever form they take
• Following their lead on whether to discuss their loss or engage in distracting activities

Practical Support During Difficult Times

Grief can make everyday tasks feel insurmountable. Offering specific practical help rather than vague offers (e.g., “let me know if you need anything”) can be tremendously helpful:

• Preparing meals or organizing a meal roster
• Assistance with childcare or household responsibilities
• Help with funeral arrangements or administrative tasks
• Remembering significant dates (birthdays, anniversaries) when additional support might be needed

Long-Term Companionship

While support often clusters immediately after a loss, grief persists long after the funeral ends. Maintaining contact in the months and even years following a significant loss can provide crucial ongoing support when the bereaved person might feel increasingly isolated.

What Professional Grief Support Services Are Available in Australia?

Australia offers a robust network of professional bereavement support services, ensuring that grieving individuals can access appropriate care regardless of their circumstances or location.

National Grief Support Services

Several key organizations provide specialized grief support throughout Australia:

Service	Contact	Support Provided
Griefline	1300 845 745	24/7 telephone and online counselling across Australia
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement	1800 642 066	Free counselling for Victorians and MyGrief self-help app
SANDS	1300 308 307	Specialized support for miscarriage and infant loss
Lifeline	13 11 14	24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services
Beyond Blue	1300 22 4636	Mental health support with grief-specific resources

These services offer a combination of immediate crisis support, ongoing counselling, and specialized resources for different types of loss.

Local Counselling Services

For those seeking face-to-face support in regional Victoria, local counselling practices like Ararat Wellness provide personalized grief counselling services. These services often integrate evidence-based therapeutic approaches such as:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that intensify grief
• Mindfulness techniques: Developing present-moment awareness to manage overwhelming emotions
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Building psychological flexibility while honoring the difficult emotions that accompany loss

Many local services offer flexible delivery models including telehealth options, making professional support accessible even in remote areas.

How Does NDIS Support People Experiencing Grief?

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) recognizes the significant impact grief can have on participants and their families, offering specific supports for those navigating loss.

NDIS Bereavement Support

For families who have lost an NDIS participant, specific bereavement support is available:

• The NDIS Bereavement Support Team can be contacted at 1800 800 110 to assist with closing plans and managing administrative matters sensitively.
• This service aims to reduce bureaucratic stress during an already difficult time.

Grief Counselling Through NDIS Funding

For NDIS participants experiencing grief:

• Self-managed and plan-managed participants can often access counselling services through their NDIS funding.
• Providers like Ararat Wellness offerNDIS-funded counsellingthat addresses grief-related challenges, including anxiety, depression, and trauma responses.
• These services can be delivered through a combination of in-person and telehealth sessions, ensuring accessibility.

The person-centered approach of the NDIS allows for customized support that acknowledges the unique way grief intersects with disability, promoting holistic wellbeing during difficult transitions.

What Are Culturally Responsive Approaches to Grief Support?

Australia’s diverse population means grief support must respect and incorporate various cultural perspectives and practices around loss and mourning.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Approaches

Indigenous Australian communities often have distinct cultural protocols around death, grief, and mourning:

• Many Aboriginal communities observe specific practices, including “Sorry Business,” which may involve ceremonial activities and community gatherings.
• Local Aboriginal Health Units can provideculturally appropriate grief support.
• Non-Indigenous supporters should be aware of and respect cultural protocols around not mentioning the deceased person’s name in some communities.

Diverse Cultural Considerations

Effective grief support recognizes that cultural background significantly influences:

• Expressions of grief (private versus public mourning)
• Ritual practices surrounding death
• Family roles in the bereavement process
• Beliefs about death and afterlife
• Timeframes for mourning

Professional services increasingly emphasize cultural competence, ensuring that grief support respects these important differences rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

How Can We Support Long-Term Healing After Loss?

Grief doesn’t simply end after a designated period—it often transforms over time, requiring different forms of support throughout the journey.

Holistic Approaches to Bereavement Care

Comprehensive grief support addresses:

• Emotional wellbeing: Through counselling, support groups, and emotional expression
• Physical health: Acknowledging how grief affects the body and addressing symptoms through nutrition, sleep hygiene, and gentle exercise
• Social connections: Rebuilding or strengthening social networks that provide ongoing support
• Meaning-making: Finding ways to honor the deceased and incorporate their memory into ongoing life

Creating Meaningful Rituals

Many find comfort in establishing personal rituals to acknowledge their loss:

• Memorial activities such as tree planting
• Creating memory books or digital tributes
• Participating in annual remembrance events
• Continuing bonds with the deceased through meaningful objects or practices

These rituals can provide structure and meaning during the grief process, creating touchpoints for remembrance while allowing life to continue forward.

Professional Support for Complicated Grief

When grief becomes overwhelming or persistent, specialized professional support may be necessary:

• Prolonged grief disorder (previously called complicated grief) affects approximately 7% of bereaved individuals.
• Evidence-based treatments, including specific forms of CBT developed for complicated grief, can provide effective relief.
• Early intervention when grief feels unmanageable can prevent longer-term mental health challenges.

Supporting the Grieving Journey: Final Thoughts

Grief is not a problem to be solved but an experience to be supported through. Effective grief support recognizes the deeply personal nature of loss while providing consistent, compassionate presence. Whether through professional services, community connections, or individual relationships, supporting someone through grief involves both practical assistance and emotional accompaniment.

The landscape of grief support in Australia continues to evolve, with increasing recognition of the need for accessible, culturally responsive, and evidence-based approaches. By understanding available resources and developing our capacity for compassionate presence, we can better support those navigating the complex terrain of grief and loss.