1 in 2 UK adults (52%) are feeling the pressure to hide their grief this festive season

This Christmas, St Christopher’s is urging the UK public not to struggle alone

• 1 in 2 UK adults (52%) say they feel pressure to put on a brave face or hide their grief during the festive season
• Nearly 1 in 5 (19%) UK adults say they don’t want to burden others with their grief
• More than 1 in 5 (21%) UK adults have heard of a few services but don’t know where to go for support with their grief

New research commissioned by St Christopher’s Hospice reveals that over the festive period, 1 in 2 (52%) UK adults will feel the pressure to put on a brave face or hide their grief. The main reasons cited are a preference to cope on their own (31%), because they don’t want to burden others (19%), feeling uncomfortable talking about their grief (17%), not thinking support would help them (13%) or because they worry support services are too expensive (11%).

This Christmas, St Christopher’s is urging the UK public not to struggle alone. If you are grieving, you can reach out to your GP for support.

St Christopher’s has released 5 practical tips to support people coping with grief:

• Look after yourself – rest, eat well, and keep active to support your wellbeing.
• Give yourself permission to grieve – don’t feel pressured about how to do this.
• Express your feelings – through talking, writing, art, or other creative outlets.
• Make use of the support available – whether from friends, family or your local community.
• Get professional help if needed.

Fiona Walkingshaw, Head of Bereavement Services at St Christopher’s says: “Bereavement touches every one of us, yet grief and dying is still surrounded by stigma and misconceptions.

“Hospice care is so much more than managing end of life symptoms but also addressing emotional needs and enhancing quality of life. Our dedicated team work really hard all year round to help not only patients but also their friends and family achieve what matters most to them by enhancing the quality of life.

“Too often people feel isolated or unsure where to turn. At St Christopher’s, our teams work tirelessly to break down those barriers, offering compassionate support and creating safe spaces where individuals and families can talk openly about the changes and losses they are experiencing.

“Throughout the year and specifically over the Christmas period, we encourage everyone to both remember relatives and friends who’ve died and to find ways to share their stories and memories of them. Those people that do this, tell us how they feel better for opening up about their grief and what the person who has died means to them.”

St Christopher’s Hospice, the home of the modern hospice movement, provides specialist bereavement support to help people cope with the emotional impact of losing a loved one. These services offer a safe space to talk, practical guidance, and ongoing support — available in person, online, or by telephone.

• Adults: Support is available for those who have lost someone cared for by St Christopher’s, as well as residents in some South London communities.
• Children and Young People: Through the Candle Bereavement Service, St Christopher’s offers tailored support for children and young people, alongside specialist training and advice for schools, parents, and carers supporting them through grief.
• Bereavement Help Points: Run online or within local communities by trained volunteers, these sessions provide opportunities for people struggling with grief to connect with others who are bereaved and to access compassionate peer support.

Last year alone, St Christopher’s supported over 1100 adults, children, and families across South London through bereavement.

Nina, St Christopher’s service user, said: “After my husband Matthew died, my youngest daughter was getting distressed and anxious and not sleeping well. She was also reticent about opening up and talking to people about it. I wasn’t sure how it would go with the therapist, but Ann is a miracle worker. Seri adores her and they immediately built an amazing rapport.

“They did arts and crafts and talked about her feelings. The difference in just one session was unbelievable. She really enjoyed it because she felt so safe and warm. It’s helped her open up and talk about difficult feelings and emotions. It’s been transformative – and really helped with her anxiety and sleeping. 

“The parent group has been really  helpful for me too. Being with both an expert and other parents at different stages has given me the insight and support to be the parent my kids need.”

To access St Christopher’s Bereavement support go to our Bereavement Support Hub to see a list of services in each area available, practical resources, and benefits information.

To help make the festive season special for patients and their loves ones donate here to St Christopher’s Christmas Appeal and to explore what else is happening at St Christopher’s during the festive period, visit the events page on the website.

Available for interview and images available on demand:

• Nina, St Christopher’s service user
• Fiona Walkingshaw, Head of Bereavement Services

For further information, spokespeople or photography please contact:

Charlotte Cohen, PR Manager
0771 142 5260
c.cohen@stchristophers.org.uk