Our helpline provides compassionate listening, support, information, and referrals to resources.
Our provincial Helpline has assisted over 40,000 calls and emails since its inception in 1988 and continues to be the only free, grief-specific helpline via phone and email in Canada. When you contact the BC Bereavement Helpline, your call or email will be answered by a caring, compassionate volunteer who, through the BCBH Resource Directory, can access information for 300+ organizations that help those coping with grief and loss located in over 80 communities in BC.
Volunteers are also trained to provide compassionate listening, so if all you need is to talk to someone, the Helpline volunteers are there to listen. Your call is free, confidential, anonymous, and will be treated with care in helping you find the most appropriate support for your specific type of loss.
Our helpline is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm, Wednesday 9:00am – 8:00pm, and Saturday from 9:00am – 1:00pm.
604-738-9950
Toll free 1-877-779-2223
or email us at [email protected]
Benefits of the Helpline
- Bereaved callers and emailers receive support and confirmation that what they are experiencing is a natural response to the death of a loved one.
- Trained volunteers can provide appropriate referrals to community support programs that suit the needs of the service user based on type of loss, location and ability to pay.
- The Helpline “Record of Contacts” allows for the identification of trends and gaps in service for the bereaved which allows BCBH to prioritize and lead efforts in reducing barriers to access.
- The Helpline is a free service.
The BCBH Resource Directory
The BCBH Helpline Resource Directory is a document that guides the Helpline volunteers in offering updated and accurate information for the bereaved and their unique needs. It contains detailed information on services and supports provided by over 300 grief and loss related organizations in British Columbia, broken down by the city or community they offer their services and support. BCBH is committed to updating this guide annually to ensure that all information is up-to-date and accurate for the bereaved or professionals. The information available on each organization includes the type of grief support (individual, group, phone support, etc.), for whom (families, children, men, women, traumatic loss, etc.), location information, and fee information (total fees, sliding scale, pay what you can or no cost).
The Resource Guide is a PDF document that is hyperlinked, cross-referenced under selected grief categories, and searchable for key words. It is available in electronic format for all BCBH members (included in the annual membership fee for Silver, Gold and Platinum level members. It is available for an additional fee for Bronze level members).
We wish to thank the Sovereign Order of St. John Jerusalem, Vancouver Commandery, for their support.
