The Society, founded in London in 2005, is a professional membership organisation for all working in any capacity with and for bereaved people or working in end of life care, who aim at all times to uphold good practice in care, support and client service and who wish publicly to declare commitment to these aims.

We are honoured to have the support of a number of distinguished Patrons who share the Society’s vision. Our members around the UK represent the diversity of bereavement care and support: from doctors, nurses, clergy, celebrants, counsellors, carers, funeral directors to stonemasons, embalmers, pet bereavement counsellors, musicians and many others.

SBP was founded with the following objectives:

1. •Promoting and celebrating best practice in bereavement care and end of life care and client support.
   

2. •Celebrating and recognising excellence through a series of professional awards made to members and non-members.
   

3. •Occasionally appointing as Companions of the Society (denoted by the post-nominal letters, CSBP), individuals who, through their professional expertise or public profile, exemplify the Aims of the Society, or whose contribution to the fields of bereavement or end of life care warrants the highest level of recognition by this Society.
   

4. •Admitting suitably qualified and/or experienced practitioners as Accredited Members  (denoted by the post-nominal letters, MSBP(Acc)).
   

5. •Admitting to Ordinary Membership (denoted by the post-nominal letters, MSBP) applicants with an interest or involvement in bereavement or end of life care, but who do not currently meet the entry requirements for Professional Membership.
   

6. •Admitting to Associate Membership (no post-nominal letters) applicants with an interest or involvement in bereavement or end of life care, but who do not meet criteria for Membership
   

7. •From January 2013, awarding Fellowship of the Society (denoted by the post-nominal letters, FSBP) by Submission to suitably qualified and experienced candidates.
   

8. •From January 2014, administering and awarding the Society’s Certificate (CertBC) and Diploma (DipBC) in Bereavement Care,
   

9. •Fostering positive relationships with non-member organisations and individuals engaged in bereavement or end of life care, support or service.
   

1. •Conducting, according to demand, occasional meetings, seminars, courses and study days for the benefit of members’ Continuing Professional Development and/or for the information of the general public.
   

1. •Supporting and promoting ethically, morally and within the law, genuine freedom of choice for the bereaved and those preparing for the end of life.
   

1. •Encouraging SBP members to form area membership groups, for the purpose of socialising, networking and discussion.