If your sarcoma cannot be cured, you might feel you need extra support, especially for your mental wellbeing.
On this page, we explain the difference between palliative and end of life care. We also link to organisations that can help support you with your feelings around end of life or bereavement.
Palliative care
Palliative care, or best supportive care, can be offered to people years before end of life care. It is treatment that focuses on improving quality of life rather than curing the cancer. It includes physical, emotional, or practical support. We have a palliative care hub with lots of information about what palliative care involves for people with sarcoma.
If you or a loved one has sarcoma that cannot be cured, it can be a difficult and emotional time. You can speak to your GP about mental health and wellbeing services. We have more information about mental health and living with sarcoma.
End of life support
End of life care is a type of palliative care that aims to make people as comfortable as possible in the final stages of living with sarcoma. This is usually when someone is given 12 months or less to live.
You can ask your local council about local hospices in your area. If you’re receiving end of life care, you may also be eligible for special rules payment. Find out more information about benefits at the end of life.
We have listed organisations that can help with end of life and palliative care below.
The Sarcoma UK Support Line
The Sarcoma UK Support Line is here for every person affected by sarcoma. Get in touch for friendly, expert, confidential and free advice on anything to do with sarcoma.
Marie Curie
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity. They provide information and support on all aspects of dying, death and bereavement.
You can contact their Helpline or use their web chat service. You can also get ongoing telephone support from a bereavement volunteer. Find out more on the Marie Curie website.
Sue Ryder
Sue Ryder provide grief and end of life support. They also have a number of hospices and care centres across England. Find out more on the Sue Ryder website.
Bereavement support
If you’ve lost someone to sarcoma, there are a number of organisations who can help. We’ve listed some useful support below.
The Sarcoma UK Support Line
The Sarcoma UK Support Line is here for every person affected by sarcoma. Get in touch for friendly, expert, confidential, and free advice on anything to do with sarcoma.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care is the leading national charity for bereaved people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
They provide information and advice about grief after the death of someone close. They also provide specialist support for children and young people, and their families. You can contact their helpline or use their web chat service. You can also attend bereavement support sessions and support groups. Find out more on the Cruse website.
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK help children and young people (up to age 25), parents, and families, to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or a child dies.
They provide a wide range of information. You can contact their helpline, email them or use their web chat service. You can access one-to-one booked telephone support and attend remote groups.
Young people can also access support including individual support, groups, an interactive game and an app. Find out more on the Child Bereavement UK website.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan have support to help people cope with grief. They have information and you can call their support line too. Find out more on the Macmillan website.
The Good Grief Trust
The Good Grief Trust provide emotional and practical support for anyone who has lost a loved one. They offer information, a helpline, and stories from other people experiencing grief. Find out more on the Good Grief Trust website.
Last reviewed: May 2025
Next review due: May 2028
