DEMAND for a bereavement support group set up by a funeral director has soared during the last year.

A.B. Walker, which has branches in Bracknell and Wokingham, have been running back-to-back Link Bereavement Care Group courses throughout the year to meet the demand from hundreds of families.

The free course, which has been spear-headed by Melissa Walker, the funeral director's Head of Bereavement Care, is made up of six sessions over consecutive weeks, hosted by trained facilitators and a representative from Cruse Bereavement Care.

Melissa said: "We know that for many people the funeral is just the beginning of the emotional journey.

"Losing a loved one can be one of life’s most difficult experiences.

"People like to share their stories. They can feel they are not alone, and that their feelings are normal.

"It is so heartwarming to hear the comments we get and it is really nice to know that we helped people to move forward.

"Over the last five years we have helped hundreds of people come to terms with the feelings of loss and developed the programme to be effective, appropriate and engaging."