New service links funeral directors’ websites to online bereavement counselling

Clients can now access bereavement counsellors directly from funeral directors’ websites, thanks to GriefChat, a brand new service. The online widget was launched in September by Professional Help Limited, a provider of counselling, training and consultancy solutions.

Professional Help was launched in 2012 by Catherine Betley, former director of services for Cruse Bereavement Care. Her latest innovation can be installed on any page on a funeral director’s website.

Professional Help creates the widget and gives the code to the funeral director or their webmaster so they can paste it into the correct page on their site.

Once the widget is installed, clients can access free, online chat, provided by qualified, experienced bereavement counsellors. The team are all part of the Professional Help Associate Counselling Team and hold, as a minimum, a diploma-level qualification in counselling.

All counsellors undergo professional supervision, must provide evidence of continuing professional development, have been vetted and hold a recent, clear DBS check.

The counsellors, who are chosen for their ‘very human’ approach can offer advice, support, reassurance and understanding for grieving people. They provide information about grief and how bereavement affects both individuals and families and can signpost to helpful online and in-print information. They can also offer information on local bereavement care services across the UK.

GriefChat offers a simple pricing structure for small, independent funeral directors. To find out more contact info@griefchat.co.uk, info@professionalhelp.org.uk go to www.professionalhelp.org.uk or telephone 01524 782910.