Family Support and Bereavement Service

Afterthoughts Service

Our Afterthoughts Service provides the opportunity to explore your loved one’s journey at Willow Burn.

Each person’s experience and memories of a loved one’s end of life journey different. Coping with bereavement and grief may affect the way that you feel and how you face your future.

  • Some people have unanswered questions about their loved one’s journey through their illness and death.

  • For some it may not have been what they expected or planned.

  • It can sometimes be difficult to understand what happened without information to fill in the gaps.

  • It is not always easy to take in all the information given at the time or simply just after a bereavement, events can be difficult to understand.

"Let us help you to put the pieces into place…..it’s good to talk!"

Bereavement Afterthoughts offers:

  • A one-to-one discussion with an experienced nurse.

  • A private and open discussion where you have the opportunity to ask questions. 

The aims of the Afterthoughts session are:

  • To help you to explore and understand your experience through the end of life journey.

  • To support you to reflect and discuss any issues that your experience may have highlighted.

  • To explore the reasons why certain decisions were made during this time.

What can you expect from the service:

  • We are committed to your wellbeing

  • We value your suggestions and comments about your experience.

  • The service is not a complaints or counselling service. Please ask if you need help to access more information about these services.

  • We will offer the opportunity for you to access our Family Support services following this session, if you have not already done so, if you feel that you may need further support to manage your grief.

An Afterthoughts appointment can be made any time after your bereavement, but we would advise that it does not take place until at least six weeks after, to allow time to grieve and to gather your thoughts. There is no time limit to access this service.

To access the service please ring us and give your details: 01207 523 293.
A member of the nursing team will contact you to discuss and make arrangements to meet with you.

Your Stories


"The care is outstanding, the staff are wonderful. Nothing is a bother. I count myself blessed to be able to end my days in such a wonderful place."

"I cannot imagine a more caring & positive day - Lovely atmosphere, full of surprises!"

"Our family can never thank Willow Burn and the team enough for the amazing care and compassion our Mam received. We all take comfort in knowing Mam could not of been in a better place to spend her last days. For that we will be eternally grateful."

MCcrory Family

“How do I thank you all? Where do I begin?  The care, love and support you showed my beautiful sister and also to our whole family was incredible. You are a superb team and you should be very proud of every shift you work.  There aren’t enough words or big enough words to continue...so in the words of my sister...if the only prayer you say in your entire life is ‘thank you’ that’ll be enough.  Much love to you all ”

Thank you!

Anything is possible when you have the right people there to support you. Thank you.

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