Cruse Bereavement Support
Source: gov.uk (2025-11-10)

We, the undersigned, commit to honour the Armed Forces Covenant and support the Armed Forces Community. We recognise the value Serving Personnel, both Regular and Reservists, Veterans and military families contribute to our business and our country.

The Armed Forces Covenant

An enduring covenant between the people of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Government and all those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces of the Crown and their families

The first duty of Government is the defence of the realm. Our Armed Forces fulfil that responsibility on behalf of the Government, sacrificing some civilian freedoms, facing danger and, sometimes, suffering serious injury or death as a result of their duty. Families also play a vital role in supporting the operational effectiveness of our Armed Forces. In return, the whole nation has a moral obligation to the members of the Naval Service, the Army and the Royal Air Force, together with their families. They deserve our respect and support, and fair treatment.

Those who serve in the Armed Forces, whether Regular or Reserve, those who have served in the past, and their families, should face no disadvantage compared to other citizens in the provision of public and commercial services. Special consideration is appropriate in some cases, especially for those who have given most such as the injured and the bereaved.

This obligation involves the whole of society: it includes voluntary and charitable bodies, private organisations, and the actions of individuals in supporting the Armed Forces. Recognising those who have performed military duty unites the country and demonstrates the value of their contribution. This has no greater expression than in upholding this Covenant.

Section 1: Principles of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant

1.1 We Cruse Bereavement Support will endeavour in our business dealings to uphold the key principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, which are:
- no member of the Armed Forces Community should face disadvantage in the provision of public and commercial services compared to any other citizen;
- and in some circumstances that special treatment may be appropriate especially for the injured or bereaved.
Section 2: Demonstrating our commitment

2.1 Cruse Bereavement Support recognises the value serving personnel, reservists, veterans and military families bring to our business. We will seek to uphold the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant, by pledging to the following:
- Armed Forces Friendly
We also pledge the following:

Continuing to work in line with our vision that we live in a world where everyone grieving is supported, respected and understood, with specific consideration for the Armed Forces Community. Working in line with our mission, that we support people through one of the most painful times in life with bereavement support, information and campaigning, including providing signposting to specialist support for members of the Armed Forces who are bereaved. Providing information and support in line with our values. We are kind. We are inclusive. We are ambitious. We are genuine. Providing training for Cruse staff and volunteers on the bereavement and the Armed Forces Providing expert bereavement and grief information and support for adults, children and young people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Delivering expert training, including Grief Awareness and Grief First Aid, working with organisations, groups and individuals to improve the support and services they provide to bereaved people. Inspiring individuals and organisations to support and partner with us so Cruse can provide expert bereavement and grief support in the UK, including organisations linked to the Armed Forces com-munity. Recognising that grief can affect a whole family, friends, colleagues, professionals and communities, and the specific and unique aspects of bereavement, grief and mourning that can affect the Armed Forces Community. Developing our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, including specific consideration of the Armed Forces community, and appointing an Armed Forces champion. Building on our charitys strength: our local footprint, our national delivery and the passion and commitment of our volunteers and staff. Continuing to develop new ways to support bereaved people from the Armed Forces community, informed by clinical best practice and research, and ensure bereaved people are not alone in their grief. Share stories of people from the Armed Forces community we have supported.

2.2 We will publicise these commitments through our literature and/or on our website, setting out how we will seek to honour them and inviting feedback from the Service community and our customers on how we are doing.