Bereavement Groups and Online Resources
Bereavement groups often offer individuals an important opportunity to be with others as they allow grief to heal them. The more specific bereavement group the better. For instance, a mother who just lost a three-year-old child joining a group with a 60-year-old woman whose husband has recently died may not be the best match. For many, finding a group that has others with a similar type of loss can be important. However for others, loss is loss and being with others who are also in grief is just fine. There are many types of groups. Below is a list of possible groups that may serve you.
· Loss of Spouse
· Widows group
· Survivors of Suicide
· Infant Loss (for those who have experienced the loss of an infant due to stillbirth, miscarriage,
SIDS, etc.)
· Child Loss
· Adult child Loss
· Loss through murder
· Children’s group 6 and under
· Children’s group 6 – 9
· Children’s group 10-12
· Children’s group 13-17
· Young adults who lost parents
· Midlife adults after loss of a mother
· Midlife adults after loss of father
· Men’s group after loss of a wife
· Loss of a same sex partner
· Pet loss
· Sudden Loss
· Grief after death from a natural Disaster
There are many options for finding a local group. Please get in touch with your local hospital, hospice house of worship. There are also many grief and bereavement centers that offer support groups. Since it is often hard to find a specific group for your needs Grief.com is exploring the possibility of online bereavement video groups. Until such time, we recommend that you conduct an internet search for any local bereavement groups in your area. Simply search “Bereavement Groups” or “Grief Counseling” along with your zip code.
Frequently Asked Questions
1
I Have a friend in grief; how can I help?
One of the mistakes we make is asking people in deep grief how we can help them. They are often too lost in their own sorrow to identify needs. It’s OK to ask; but just know you can step in and help. For instance, if it’s after the funeral at a reception and the trash needs to be taken out – don’t ask, just help. In the old days we would gather around the loved one and just do things for them. Bring over some food so that they don’t have to cook but can still eat well. You probably know their life – offer to pick up the kids, help them with their yard, offer to take them on errands.
2
When does Grief end?
Grief is not just a series of events, or stages or timelines. Our Society places enormous pressure on us to get over loss, to get through the grief. But how long do you grieve for a husband of fifty years? A teenager killed in a car accident? A four-year-old child? A year? Five years? Forever? The loss happens in time, in fact in a moment, but its aftermath lasts a lifetime.
Featured Video
In this month’s Featured Video, renowned Author and Grief expert David Kessler identifies the Most Common Feelings/Symptoms of Grief.