The Bereavement Journey® – Church-led support programme delivering emotional and spiritual wellbeing
20th August 2025
An independent evaluation has found compelling evidence that The Bereavement Journey®, a structured, volunteer-led bereavement support programme delivered by churches, is transforming lives and strengthening communities across the UK.
Relaunched in 2023, the programme helps adults process the range of ways a bereavement can impact, whether recent or long ago, and uniquely offers both an optional session of spiritual support plus accompanying signposting to complete its all-round help.
The research, conducted by Youthrive Research Consultancy, analysed feedback from the first 377 courses run between April 2023 and March 2025, assessing the programme’s impact on participants’ wellbeing.
Key findings
96% gained a better understanding of how bereavement was affecting them
95% said the course helped them process their loss
86% experienced reduced loneliness
73% reported improved mental health
93%+ felt better able to cope by the end of the course
Participants described renewed hope, increased resilience, and a greater ability to re-engage with daily life and support others. Many said it gave them “a place to talk and be listened to, to feel their grief matters” and “a language to share how bereavement affects you.” One attendee reflected:
“It has helped me avoid going down into depression… if I hadn’t gone on the course, that’s probably where I’d be.”
Course leaders echoed these observations, describing it as a “safe place” where “there is hope that they’ll move forward.” One shared how a senior nurse noticed participants “visibly starting to look different as they leave… there is a massive change.”
The study estimates the wellbeing benefit from courses in this two-year period alone at over £33.5 million.
Spiritual support welcomed
Although some leaders were initially cautious about the optional final session on faith, participants responded very positively. 79% attended from a variety of faith or no faith backgrounds, and 95% found the session helpful.
A previous evaluation found that 39% of all ages were attending with no prior church connection, yet 90% of leaders reported that some, or all, participants wanted to stay connected with church, explore faith, or be baptised or confirmed.
The Revd Dr Tessa Henry Robinson, President of Churches Together in England and Moderator of the Free Churches Group, welcomed the findings:
“I welcome this report which highlights the invaluable role churches play in supporting bereavement and the positive impact on wellbeing it is having. Churches are offering compassionate care, practical help along with the spiritual hope that brings comfort and restoration to individuals and families in their time of greatest need.
My prayer is for more churches to see the holistic difference they can make to those outside the church when it comes to grief.”
Signposting and wider impact
The evaluation also assessed AtaLoss.org, the charity’s national bereavement signposting website, which is offered alongside the programme. While awareness of the site within local courses could be improved, those who used it found it highly valuable.
With many communities facing long waits—sometimes 18–24 months—for counselling, The Bereavement Journey® is increasingly recommended by healthcare professionals as an accessible and timely alternative. As one course leader said:
“The longer that gap goes on and people don’t get support… it could spiral. They could end up at the GP when they didn’t need to if they’d processed it in a healthy way.”
A call to action
Revd Canon Yvonne Tulloch, CEO of AtaLoss, said:
“This evaluation shows that as churches open their doors to those who are grieving, lives are being restored and communities strengthened. Despite declining religious funerals, the Church now has a unique opportunity in bereavement support. The Bereavement Journey®, with our accompanying signposting, is regaining community support and churches are demonstrating the need and effectiveness of timely, holistic support in bereavement. Over 400 churches from 23 denominations are offering the programme and seeing amazing results.”
AtaLoss is calling for The Bereavement Journey® and its signposting model to be integrated into NHS and public health bereavement pathways as part of the Government’s new Health and Social Care Mission—ensuring nationwide access in partnership with churches and other providers.