Guide to Grieving Support Resources

Grief is an essential component of human existence – a universally experienced phenomenon. Yet, how we process and deal with grief can be very different from one person to the next due to the survivor’s emotional state and circumstances related to the loss. To help make the bereavement process easier, a variety of grieving support resources are available, many of which are online. Below, you’ll find over 40 of the best grief-related resources on the Web for children, parents, spouses, siblings, friends, acquaintances, coworkers and employers that are categorized into sections that make it easy to find what you – or someone else – needs.

 

General Grieving Support Resources

Within these general resources – forums, support groups, articles – you can come to a deeper understanding of grief, its stages and how people begin to heal.

Coping with Grief and Loss – This article describes the common symptoms of grief, myths and facts about grief and tips for coping.

The Grief Toolbox – Find helpful articles, a support group locator, an online art gallery and more for people experiencing grief.

Life after Loss: Dealing with Grief – From the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center comes this guide for coping with grief and loss.

Grieving.com – This forum resource has in excess of 45,000 active members who connect with others experiencing loss and grief and share hope.

Major Depression and Complicated Grief – Unfortunately, grief can progress to more advanced stages that include major depression or complicated grief. Learn about each and their warning signs.

 

Grieving Support for Children

Due to their lack of experience in life, the death of a family member or other loved one can severely impact a child’s emotional well-being. Find online and in-person support resources below.

National Alliance for Grieving Children – NAGC offers online education and a support group database to assist children and teens throughout the grieving process.

Kidsaid   – Discover a safe place for children to help one another with grief and loss. The site contains an email support group, a place to share artwork and stories and the opportunity to ask questions and find answers.
Comfort Zone Camp – These free camps are available for children 7-17 who have suffered the loss of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. They are held year-round in locations across the United States.

The Dougy Center – As The National Center for Grieving Children and Families, The Dougy Center offers a variety of grief resources for children and families who are grieving a death.

Death and Grief  – This article contains information for kids and teens about the process of grief and how to ultimately feel better.

 

Grieving Support for Parents

When a parent loses a child, the pain and grief are immeasurable. Find out how to best support parents through the hardships of their loss.

Bereaved Parents of the USA – This national, non-profit self-help group offers many resources for bereaved parents to help them rebuild their lives.

Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation   – Families don’t have to face childhood cancer without support. The Childhood Cancer Foundation provides emotional, educational and practical assistance for families in need.

CJ First Candle  – This organization provides bereavement support to families who have suffered the loss of a baby from SIDS, SUID or stillbirth.

Parent Grief Support Directory – Find a wide array of local, national and international grief support resources for grieving parents.

MISS Foundation – For families who have experienced the death of a child, find grief resources and online support forums which are fully moderated for safe, caring interactions with others.

Perinatal Hospice and Palliative Care Resources for Parents  – These resources are for parents who have been told by medical professionals that their unborn baby will likely die before or after delivery.

The TEARS Foundation – This non-profit organization offers compassionate financial assistance to grieving parents who have lost a baby and need to make final arrangements.

 

Grieving Support for Widows and Widowers

The following resources will help widows and widowers cope with the loss of their spouse – an event that permanently changes the survivor’s life.

On Being Alone: A Guide for the Newly Widowed  – This resource from AARP offers newly widowed individuals a series of articles containing helpful advice regarding grief and loss.

National Widower’s Organization – This organization promotes the development of specialized support groups for widowers due to men’s unique ways of dealing with grief from the loss of a spouse.

Widow Net – Since it was established in 1995, Widow Net has offered online information and self-help resources for widows and widowers by widows and widowers.

10 Places Grieving Widows Can Get Help – View this list from Gloria Horsley, Psychotherapist and Grief Expert about 10 reliable resources that widows can utilize for grief support.

 

Grieving Support Resources for Military Families

Discover specialized bereavement support resources to help assuage the loss of a military member.

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. – This organization of mothers honors fallen sons and daughters of the military through their services to veterans and military events.
Gold Star Wives – The belief of Gold Star Wives is that surviving spouses and dependent children need an organization that’s dedicated to their unique needs, concerns, and welfare no matter what.

Operations Stephen’s Touch – This non-denominational ministry offers free, confidential and compassionate listening services to members of military families who have lost a loved one.

Tragedy Assistance Programs for Survivors – TAPS offers grief and trauma resources that are available 24/7 to anyone who has suffered the loss of a military loved one.

U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
– The Department of Veteran Affairs provides free bereavement counseling free to spouses, children, parents and siblings of service members who died while on active duty, including members of the Guard and Reserve components.

 
 

Suicide Support Resources

Suicide survivors often experience guilt along with their grief for the tragic and unnecessary loss of their loved one. The following resources address these challenges and others.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention  – This national group funds research, offers educational programs and provides support for those affected by suicide.

American Association of Suicidology – This resources houses a plethora of links about surviving suicide, preventing suicide and more.

Beyond Surviving: Suggestions for Survivors – These 25 suggestions for suicide survivors were compiled by Iris M. Bolton who is a survivor-movement pioneer.

A Handbook for Survivors of Suicide   – Published by the American Society of Suicidology, this book was written for those who have suffered a loss due to suicide.

Suicide Awareness/Voices of Education – Follow this link to find grief support resources – stories of hope, support groups, events – from save.org.

 

Homicide and Violent Crime Support Resources

Death by a violent crime can add to the trauma and grief of losing a loved one. Thankfully, the following support resources exist to help survivors cope.

National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children, Inc.  – This organization provides various resources to support and assist survivors of homicide victims.

MADD: Victim Services – If you’ve lost someone in a drunk driving crash, call 1-877-MADD-HELP for emotional support, guidance, and referrals.

Concerns of Police Survivors   – C.O.P.S. provides helpful resources to families and coworkers who have suffered the loss of a police officer.

A Guide to Survival for Family and Friends of Homicide Victims   – This book helps survivors of homicide victims learn to cope with the feelings of fear and anxiety that develop from their losses.

 

Resources to Support Those Who Are Grieving

As a compassionate member of the human race, it’s often necessary to reach out to others in their times of grief and loss. Use the following resources to help you know what to do.

Grief: How to Support the Bereaved – This guide recommends approaching the grieving person within the first few days of their loss and offers advice on how to help them.

How to Help a Grieving Person  – It’s difficult to know how help someone who is grieving. Find out how to support the bereaved.

How to Help Someone Who is Grieving – This resource provides a series of helpful articles for support grieving parents, families, friends and coworkers.

Helping a Grieving Parent  – Learn how to offer comfort to your surviving parent while working through your own grief.

When an Employee or Coworker is Grieving the Death of a Child  – This article details how employers and coworkers can support a bereaved employee who has suffered the loss of a child.

Helping Your Child Deal with Death – Discover helpful suggestions for assisting children with their understanding and acceptance of the death of a loved one.

Guidelines for Parents to Help Their Children Through Grief – These guidelines are designed to help parents support their grieving child.

The Grieving Teen – Find out how teens grieve and what they require in terms of grief support.