UNDERTAKERS Little and Caine are teaming up with counsellors to help support grieving families.

Clients of the funeral director - which has offices in Grange-over-Sands, Ulverston, Dalton and Barrow - are to be offered up to six free counselling sessions by bereavement support specialist Professional Help, based at Burton-in-Kendal.

The scheme is a partnership with the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.

Paul Caine, managing director of Little and Caine, said the service would help local families at a difficult time.

“As funeral directors, we often see people at the start of their journey of grief and feel we would like to do more to assist, as we know that feelings of sadness and loss don’t end with the funeral," said Mr Caine.

“This service is an important part of what we offer – as independent funeral directors, people turn to us for guidance and support, and this service enables us to go above and beyond for the families in our care in order to ensure they get the support and advice they need at life’s most difficult time."

Catherine Betley, founder of Professional Help, which is a member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, said: “I’ve worked with funeral directors for a number of years now and it’s clear to me many want to do more to help their clients. Through our partnership with SAIF (the National Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors ) we are now able to offer support from qualified bereavement counsellors to members of the public in their time of need.

"There is no time limit on grief but we do know providing support early on in the journey can have significant benefits for a person’s wellbeing."