Organizations that Offer Support for Grief

3 parent questions ▼
Archived Q&A and reviews ▼

Parent Q&A

Select any title to view the full question and replies.

  • In person grief support group

    –
    Apr 21, 2025

    Hello fellow parents,

    My best friend of 30 years is currently on life support with a very poor prognosis. She's experiencing multiple organ failure after decades of substance misuse. She was the truest, most loyal friend anyone could ask for, and she will be leaving behind three teenage sons.

    I’m 45 and have never lost someone close to me. While I do have a wonderful therapist and an incredibly loving husband, I’m also an external processor and would really benefit from an in-person grief support group.

    If you know of any local resources or groups that might help me navigate this loss, I would be so grateful. Thank you in advance for any thoughts, or suggestions. I’m also open to starting a group if others are looking for the same thing and haven’t found it. 

    Apr 21, 2025

    I'm so sorry you are going through this loss. For in-person grief groups, I recommend checking out Crisis Service: https://www.crisissupport.org/programs/support-groups/ and Hospice of the East Bay: https://www.hospiceeastbay.org/services/grief-support/.

    Apr 23, 2025

    Without knowing where you are located geographically, it’s difficult for me to make specific recommendations. But my general recommendation is this - call your local hospice organization. Every hospice program offers bereavement support, and you rarely need to have been affiliated with the hospice organization in order to participate. They will also likely have a list of local groups and contact numbers. Wishing you peace in your grief. 

    Apr 23, 2025

    I'm sorry to hear that you are going through this. When my father passed last year, I participated in the support groups through Alameda Crisis Support Services. I would highly recommend taking advantage of their support offerings and resources.

    https://www.crisissupport.org/programs/support-groups/

    Apr 23, 2025

    Hi, I'm sorry for your anticipated loss. I, too, lost someone very close to me for the first time when I was your age a couple yrs ago, so I feel your pain. I found two grief support groups when I researched it to find something. One was called GriefShare and it is a Christian-based program that has local groups usually hosted by churches, some in person and some virtual. The other is East Bay Hospice which did only virtual groups, but that was a couple years ago so may have changed. I hope you find something that works for you and helps you work through it. 

    Apr 23, 2025
    Reply now  »

  • grief group?

    –
    Oct 26, 2023

     I need to find an in-person grief group. My closest friend of 30 years has died. I'm need the support but I'm a little apprehensive that my loss will seem unimportant in the context of family and partner losses. Is there even such a thing as a friend grief group?

    Thank you in advance for your replies.

    Oct 26, 2023

    Grief is grief… could be friend, family, pets or celebrities! (Robin williams death rocked my world with grief) you belong with your grief wherever you choose to seek help! May light and support surround you!

    Nov 1, 2023

    I don't have any group recommendations but my biggest take away from my grief group was the lack of any external hierarchy to measure the depth and extent of grief within a person's life. I also looked for a specific shared experience only to find that it didn't matter.

    Nov 1, 2023

    I'm so sorry for your loss. A friend of mine found support for a similar situation at Kara. I wish you comfort and peace as you move forward in your life while holding your grief.

    Nov 1, 2023

    First of all, I'm so sorry for your loss. Our best friends are often someone as close to us as our own partners (if not closer!), please do not feel apprehensive about seeking help - no one will judge you. My best friend of 10 years died tragically, and I know that this kind of loss is immense. There are many grief support groups through local houses of worship - if you are a part of a spiritual community, or through health care providers, like Kaiser. Many independent counselors and/or therapists also offer this kind of support. I wish I could direct you to someone, but hopefully this is a place to start, and another poster may have a more specific recommendation.

    Nov 2, 2023

    I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m not personally aware of friend grief groups, but I would suggest reaching out to a Sutter Health Bereavement program located near you and giving them a call. They offer bereavement counseling and groups to Sutter members and non-members alike, usually donation based. If they don’t have a good fit for you, at the very least they may have some referrals to offer.

    I had a wonderful experience participating in Joan Monheit’s Writing Through Grief group years ago, and some group members were grieving a close friend loss. I’m not sure what her current offerings are, but here’s the website:

    http://www.joanmonheitpsychotherapy.com/


    You can also try searching for therapists specializing in grief counseling through the Psychology Today online directory. Many therapists offer individual grief counseling as well as run grief groups depending on need etc. 


    Best of luck, and wishing you time for reflection and reflection extra self care, especially as the holidays approach <3

    Nov 8, 2023

    So sorry for your loss..made more difficult because you feel there isn't anyone to talk with about the loss of your dear friend. Have you explored "Hospice East Bay"? One of the few NON-profit hospices around, they offer an ongoing bereavement group--to anyone, not just family/friends of one of their patients.

    https://www.hospiceeastbay.org/services/grief-support/

    All the best in your journey to deep healing. 

    Nov 9, 2023

    I am so sorry for your loss.

    The Grief Recovery Institute has a wonderful network of specialists who do both 1:1 and Group support. I found a wonderful community when I was grieving losses of my own and one of the things I loved is that everyone loss is treated as equal, as we all feel grief 100%, regardless of the loss. 

    You can see if there is a local group here.

    Nov 14, 2023

  • Local Grief Support Group (or counselor)?

    –
    Nov 12, 2022

    Any current recommendations for or knowledge of a local grief support group for an adult child who has recently lost a parent? Conflicted family dynamics and lots of mixed feelings in play. An in-person group would be great, or a therapist with openings, or an online group as a third choice. Thanks!

    Nov 12, 2022

    Hello.

      Thank you for reaching out on behalf of another who is grieving over the loss of a parent.  Have you checked with the local Hospice?  https://www.hospiceeastbay.org/services/grief-support/

       They offer free bereavement help-- even if the deceased wasn't in their care.  Here's what their web page says:

    " As a not-for-profit organization, we are committed to providing free bereavement services, not only to the families of our patients but to our entire community. We offer traditional emotional support counseling as well as innovative programs for children, teens and adults which address the wide range bereavement experiences."

      This particular Hospice is one which, happily, operates under the original vision of Dame Cicely Saunders (1950's England)--i.e. they help anyone who is grieving, for free. ALSO, they help anyone who medically qualifies for hospice care--even if they are UNinsured or cannot pay.  For 3 years, I was honored to be part of the Hospice Austin (Texas) which also follows this heart-based vision.  Sadly,the for-profit hospice organizations are growing by leaps & bounds in the US.

    Nov 16, 2022

Archived Q&A and Reviews

Recommended by BPN Parents: