One-to-one grief support in France

Yes, absolutely. If you live in France the BSN (Bereavement Support Network) is there to support you. All of our volunteers are English speakers, and every conversation — whether by phone or video call — takes place entirely in English. You don’t need to struggle to express something as personal as grief in another language. Whatever you are feeling, and wherever you are in France, we are here and we understand. You are welcome to reach out to us at any time — there is no pressure, and no obligation.

Getting help is simpler than you might think, and you don’t need a referral to reach out. BSN offers confidential bereavement support to English speakers anywhere in France, provided by trained volunteers. There is no charge. Simply contact us and we will arrange a time to talk by phone before we assign you a volunteer. We know that taking that first step can feel difficult, but you don’t need to have the right words ready. Just reaching out is enough.

Grieving far from the people who know and love you is one of the hardest experiences when living abroad. Distance adds another layer to the loss — without your usual support network around you, you may find yourself managing the practicalities of daily life in France entirely alone. You are not the first person to feel this way, and you don’t have to face it without support. BSN was created precisely for this situation. Our volunteers understand and are here to listen.

There is no single answer to this — grief is deeply personal. It can come in waves, ease for a while, and then return unexpectedly, sometimes triggered by something as small as a piece of music or a familiar smell. What we do know is that grief generally becomes easier to carry over time, even if it never fully disappears. If you feel that your grief is not easing, or is getting harder to manage, that is a sign you might benefit from talking to someone. We are here to listen, without any judgement about how long you have been grieving or how you are feeling.

Yes — and it happens more often than you might think. Grief rarely looks like the quiet sadness we see portrayed in films. Many people feel anger — at the person who died, at themselves, or at the world. Many feel guilt, replaying conversations or decisions and wondering what they could have done differently. And some people feel a sense of relief, particularly after a long illness or a difficult relationship — and then feel guilty about that too. All of these reactions are normal. They do not make you a bad person. If you are struggling with feelings that confuse or frighten you, please reach out to us.

Yes. BSN offers support remotely by phone or by video call using Google Meet. This means you can speak to one of our trained volunteers from anywhere in France, without leaving your home. We know that English-language support can be very hard to find locally, and that getting out of the house can feel impossible in the early days of grief. Our service is designed to come to you. Simply get in touch to arrange a time that works for you.

One of the most important things you can do is simply be present — not with advice, but with a willingness to listen without judgement. There are no magic words to fix grief. Ask how they are feeling today — not in general — and use the name of the person who died. A bereaved person’s biggest fear is often that their loved one will be forgotten. Share a fond memory if you have one. Practical help matters too — shopping, a meal, collecting children from school — because those daily tasks can feel overwhelming at first. If you are concerned about someone who is struggling, BSN is here for family members and friends too — we can help you find the right words.