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| Bereavement and Grief Resources |
In this section we endeavor to provide links to internet resources relating to grief and widowhood. Most are based in the United States, some are international, with the exception of The Center for Grief and Healing, located north of Boston, Massachusetts. The webmaster has personal knowledge of the Center's excellent resources. Many hospice organizations run similar programs and there may be one near you.
Many of the sites listed have their own resource link pages.
The listing of this information should not be considered an endorsement by Grief's Journey.
After-Death Communication Prayer Wave with Christine Duminiak & Friends is an after-death communication grief support and prayer web site. Their mission is to pray for others desiring to receive a personal after-death communication from their loved ones. It is a non-denominational group where any religious affiliation is welcome.
Aftermath of Murder, This is a War offers many articles of support and resource links for the many complexities of homicidal grief.
AARP Grief and Loss Programs offers a variety of programs in which volunteers reach out to widows.
A C C E S S offers AirCraft Casualty Emotional Support Services and are there to help fill the void that occurs when the emergency and disaster relief organizations disband, the initial shock subsides and the natural grieving process intensifies.
American Foundations for Suicide Prevention Survivor Groups is a site offering supportive information about support groups and by state, will attempt to assist you in finding a group in your area. Visit their home page to learn how AFSP is the only national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to funding research, developing prevention initiatives and offering educational programs and conferences for survivors, mental health professionals, physicians, and the public
Angels of Addiction offers support through a chat room and message board, for families who have lost a child or loved one to the disease of addiction, as well as for addicts, and recovering addicts.
Armchair Advice offers support and advice to those trying to cope with a terminal illness, facing death, or suffering a bereavement (based in the UK).
The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor (AATH) is an international community of professionals who incorporate humor into their daily lives. AATH is the leader in providing evidence-based information about current research and practical applications of humor. AATH is both a personable network and a resource for humor and laughter authorities and enthusiasts. Our membership is occupationally diverse -- representing fields ranging from healthcare and education to business and faith communities.
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement is an independent, not for profit organisation which opened in January 1996 and is the largest provider of grief and bereavement education in Australia. Registered as a public benevolent institution, the Centre receives operational funding through the state palliative care program of the Victorian Department of Human Services.
beliefnet® is a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs -- in an interesting, captivating and engaging way. They are independent; not affiliated with a particular religion or spiritual movement. Fundamental to their mission is a deep respect for a wide variety of faiths and traditions. In exploring their site you'll find an extraordinary collection of experts and scholars. Most important, they strive to help everyone learn from each other through a breathtaking array of discussions and dialogue groups.
Bereaved Families of Ontario-Waterloo Region is a community based self-help/mutual aid organization whose purpose is to assist bereaved families with the grieving process. Bereaved Families of Ontario (BFO) was initiated in 1978 by four bereaved mothers as a self-help, mutual aid program under the auspices of the Chaplaincy Department of the Hospital for Sick Children. All programs and services are offered free of charge.
Bereavement Publications offers compassion and hope with the most current resources, tools, and perspectives in the bereavement field. Living With Loss™ Magazine: Hope and Healing for the Body, Mind & Spirit features articles, stories, poems and resources for the bereaved by grief educators and presenters, facilitators and caregivers, authors and writers, and most important the bereaved themselves.
Beyond Indigo is an upbeat approach to loss offering grief support, and information on end of life issues for family, friends, pets, and loved ones. The site has won Forbes Best of the Web for Grief Support from 2001 to 2005. Their focus is on information and community to help support people during their time of grief.
The Canadian Virtual Hospice is an interactive network designed to facilitate information exchange, communication, and mutual support between and among patients, their friends and family, health care providers, and palliative care volunteers. The web site does not offer direct medical advice or clinical care, but offers information and resources that may help people better understand the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of their experiences.
Center for Grief provides specialized therapy and education in the areas of complicated grief, trauma, and life transition. Individual, couple, and family therapy is offered to children, teens, and adults who have experienced a significant loss due to death or other life experiences. Therapy is provided by licensed psychologists, marriage and family therapists, social workers, professional counselors, and graduate student interns.
The Center for Grief and Healing is a program run by the Hospice of the North Shore, based in Danvers, MA, offers many diverse resources for all ages.
Center for Loss and Life Transition is a private organization, founded in 1983 by Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, dedicated to furthering our understanding of and compassion for, the complex set of emotions we call grief.
The Center for Loss & Renewal is a leading New York City psychotherapy and consultation group dedicated to the practice of life transition therapy.
Compassion Connection is a faith based web site offering assistance and inspiration for those who have lost a loved to a number of causes.
Concerns of Police Officers, Inc. provides resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal criteria. Furthermore, COPS provides training to law enforcement agencies on survivor victimization issues and educates the public of the need to support the law enforcement profession and its survivors.
Cruse Bereavement Care - Scotland exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. The organization provides counseling and support. It offers information, advice, education and training services. Sister site to CBCUK.
Cruse Bereavement Care - UK exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. The organization provides counseling and support. It offers information, advice, education and training services. Sister site to CBCS.
Drowning Support Network is a peer support group for people who have lost loved ones in incidents involving drowning or other aquatic accidents, especially when no physical remains have been recovered, or the recovery process has been lengthy and difficult. They hope that by joining together, they can not only lend one another support, but also lobby for change in the way these emergencies are handled.
Elmhirst Associates is Mie Elhirst's web site for her "coaching" practice. Mie is a widow who coaches the widowed. She is internationally known as a coach. She is president and founder of Elmhirst & Associates, and a member of InnerCALL, an International Corporate Coaching Alliance. Mie is founder of The Widow's Network; Widow's Network, (Women Inspired Dreams Optimism Wisdom and Sparkle!) a network designed to support women who are widowed in reconnecting with their spirit, their sense of anticipation and their aliveness. It is a space for women to come together in-person and on the phone and create community, share information, and support one another.
Eternal Reefs, Inc. creates permanent living legacies that memorialize the passing of a loved one. For families and individuals that choose cremation, Eternal Reefs offers a new memorial choice that replaces cremation urns and ash scattering with a permanent environmental living legacy.
Family and Friends of Violent Crimes Victims seeks to support and advocate for victims of violent crime, adult missing persons, and their loved ones, as well as to provide education about victims' rights and services.
Fierce Goodbye: Living in the Shadow of Suicide is a site providing supportive information based the documentary of the same name. The documentary is a groundbreaking look at the role of faith and suicide: where is my loved one now? Can they be forgiven? How I can still have faith and go on? As a survivor of suicide, it may be very well worth your while to in depth explore the website. The documentary can be purchased in book or video format.
For Widows Only where widows meet, learn, share, and heal together. The website was founded by Annie Estlund who authored the book, For Widows Only.
The Fred Fund seeks to diminish the stigma associated with suicide and provides a forum for interaction regarding emotional and mental conditions associated with suicide. The site has been established in hopes of providing a place where survivors of suicide can inspire each other to write openly and courageously about the suicide of loved ones, and find healing in each other's experiences, words, and wisdom.
GayandLesbianWidows.com is a private on-line community offering support, understanding, and friendship for gays and lesbians who have lost a partner or spouse.
Gay Counseling/Therapy with Michael Shernoff, MSW, LCSW, ACSW. A gay widower himself, Mr. Shernoff offers gay-affirmative counseling, psychotherapy, and gay couples counseling. This means instead of viewing homosexuality, bisexuality, and other variations in sexual orientation as problems, your sexual identity is supported. He also believes that consensual sexual, emotional, and love relationships are an important part of a person's whole life and do not constitute a problem just because they may be between two or more people of the same sex. He considers a person's sexuality important. It is neither focused on as a problem, nor is it ignored.
Gili's Place is the website created by Henya Shanun-Klein, Ph.D. in her grief for her daughter, Gili. Ms. Orna Yakir, a renowned Israeli radio broadcaster, wrote a play "Gili" in Hebrew based on Dr. Henya Shanun-Klein's "Gili's Book." The play continues to run in Israel and is being translated into English and Norwegian. Dr. Shanun-Klein presently practices in Houston, offering grief counseling services in English, Hebrew, and Yiddish.
Good Grief Resources serves to connect the bereaved and their caregivers with as many bereavement support resources as possible in one, efficient and easy-to-use website directory.
Good Intentions is an organization committed to providing a network of resources and education to individuals, companies, and community groups experiencing difficult times related to the common life experiences of illness, divorce, death, and loss. Visit their Myths Exposed page.
Grief Healing offers you assistance if you're anticipating or coping with a significant loss in your life and wish to better understand the grief that accompanies such loss, this site has been created to offer you the information, comfort and support that you need. As you proceed along your grief journey, what you'll find on these pages is meant to acknowledge and honor you as a person in mourning, to help you make some sense out of what you may be feeling, to prepare you for what to expect in grief, and to help you find meaning, growth, and healing along the way.
GriefAndLossHelp.com is a website offering a gentle approach to healing grief and loss which supports spirit, mind, body, and heart. Empowering, practical tools and resources for the healing journey are offered to help you cope with any grief, loss, or change that you face.
Grief and Loss Resource Centre is divided into three sets of links. The first set includes grief and bereavement resources, called "Grief Links." The second set is devoted to various "losses" in our lives, other than death, that involve varying degrees of grief, called "Loss Links." The third set is comprised of links to Memorial collections.
griefandrenewal.com is a site dedicated to the belief that our personal grief can lead to our personal growth and a widening of awareness and caring for all of those around us who suffer loss. The process of bereavement leads us on a path to greater understanding and acceptance of the cycle of life and death. Site owner, Laura Slap-Shelton, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist. Her interest in grief was stimulated by the tragic loss of her husband when she was 35 years old, thus becoming the sole parent of her 13-month-old daughter.
Grief, Loss & Recovery offers emotional support and friendship, and provides a safe haven for bereaved persons to share their grief. This is a safe place for people to mourn--emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
GriefNet.org is an Internet community of persons dealing with grief, death, and major loss.
The Grief Recovery Institute is an action program for moving beyond loss.
Grief Steps offers support services for families in transition. In their E-Share Group you share your thoughts, challenges, stories, and journeys. You can post e-mails and others respond. They offer fee based online courses led by Brook Noel to assist you in your journey through grief.
Grief Watch was created to provide you with bereavement resources, memorial products, and links that can help you through your personal loss. GRIEF WATCH is a ministry of Metanoia Peace Community, a congregation of the United Methodist Church in Portland, Oregon. It is based at the 18th Ave Peace House, site of a variety of ministries focused on hospitality, community, peace-making, and care for the dying. Its mission is twofold: first, to offer spiritual, emotional, and other support to persons who are grieving, and second, to assist organized efforts which address the systemic injustices within our society which are the source of grief for persons who are poor and marginalized.
Growthhouse.org contains many useful links to grief resources.
GROWW a site not just about "grieving," but also about recovery, educating, and exposure to all resources available that pertain to online safety for all, but most especially, for the children.
HALO is a peer grief support group consisting of people who really do understand. They are not professionals. Their "expertise" lays in the fact that they have all lost a loved one. They have experienced grief firsthand, and understand that this IS survivable. They are simply "friends helping friends" through the devastation of grief.
Hospice Foundation of America offers information to professionals and families about caregiving, terminal illness, loss and bereavement.
Integra, The Association for Integrative and Transformative Grief, is a community of individuals dedicated to sharing the mission and value of transformative grief. Among the many services they provide are classes, seminars, grief inventory and assessment, and a discussion forum.
The Jason David Cayne Foundation was founded by Gina Cayne to honor the memory of her husband, Jason David Cayne. It is a foundation for men or women who have lost a spouse tragically or unexpectedly and have a child(ren) under the age of 18 years. This foundation will help with the immediate financial burden families will face. Whether the need is monetary or for volunteers to help deal with any paper work that arises in such a time of sadness and trauma. After such a tragic loss the simple act of writing out a bill becomes an overwhelming task. The foundation's main goal is to alleviate any unnecessary pain or worries dealing with money issues in which a grieving individual endures in the first months following a tragedy to allow them to address more important issues. No one should have to face the fact of losing a spouse, as well as the fear of having their children also lose their home, school, or friends.
Laurie-Ann Weis is a writer and is Board-Certified as an Educational Therapist. She also is a widow dedicated to supporting others in bereavement who have lost their life's partner. She invites you to contact her as she wishes to extend her hand to you and be there to share wherever your journey takes you. Ms. Weis says, "I had to reinvent myself and my life. I've come a long way and growth is an ongoing journey. I welcome you to join me." Laurie-Ann Weis is author of The After Journey.
Legacy House, A Service Center for Victims of Violence based in Marion Co., Indiana is for persons who have experienced the death of a loved one or friend through violence. Participants will interact with adults who listen, share, help, and walk the journey with them. Survivors will receive education on how people grieve in an atmosphere of healing and deliverance where they can grieve together.
Little Red Mailbox is freelance writer, Linda Della Donna's, web site. Ms. Donna was widowed in May 2004. From her Little Red Mailbox you can be directed to her blog, Griefcase, where she daily introduces readers to present day widows and widows in history and offers encouragement and inspiration to write, write, and write some more! There is also a portal to her articles on grief.
The Living With Loss Foundation has been established to provide grief resources to the many non-funded community support groups (e.g. hospice and hospital bereavement services, funeral home aftercare services, bereavement care through churches, local support groups and emergency grief support services) on a need basis at no cost through the help of donations.
Mary M. McCambridge Wong, Understanding Your Grieving Heart, primarily focuses on products and services for the bereaved. Ms. Wong has nearly two decades of knowledge and experience in counseling individuals and groups to better understand the grieving process and how they could gain more control during overwhelming circumstances. The site includes a discussion group, Grieving Hearts, and a comprehensive, categorized "Helpful Links" page for the loss of a child, homicide loss, vehicular loss, suicide, pet loss, and more.
MenGrieve2 is a support group for men who are dealing with loss. Also has a chatroom, message board, and local meetings.
Merrywiddow.me.uk is a practical guide for women needing clear, simple advice. Founder, Kate Boydell, advises..."And just in case you decide not to read any further because the name implies that I'e2'80'99m some smiley-faced Prozac princess who has numbed out all the grief, I'e2'80'99ll tell you here and now that my happiness has nothing to do with drugs and everything to do with self-belief. Be warned, though 'e2'80ldblquote I cannot offer a quick fix for what you are going through 'e2'80ldblquote only a way to see that there will be a time when you don'e2'80'99t feel as you do now.And if I can help just one young widow to feel that her life isn'e2'80'99t hopeless now that her husband has gone, then all of this will be worthwhile."
National Association for Loss and Grief - East Melbourne (VIC) AU is vividly aware of the vital importance of public acknowledgment of situations of loss and grief which have an impact on an individual, their family or on the broader community. Recognition contributes greatly to raising community awareness and understanding of loss and grief, whilst at the same time sensitively demonstrating the importance of expressing grief and the role of rituals and symbols in healing, the need for justice and the journey of healing, whether for individuals or communities.
National Hospice and Pallative Care Organizations helps you to search for a local grief support group by city and/or state.
National Society for Military Widows was founded in 1968 by Theresa (Tess) Alexander to serve the interests of women whose husbands died while on active military duty, of a service-connected illness, or during disability or regular retirement from the armed forces. SMW is a nonprofit organization chartered in the State of California under section 504 (c) (4) of the Internal Revenue Service Code.
National Coalition of Homicide Survivors wishes to share information, resources and ideas, to improve support and victim assistance services to homicide survivors and facilitate communication among individuals, professionals and organizations who share an interest in the concerns of homicide survivors.
New Hope Center for Grief Support has groups for adults, children, and teens are led by professionals or trained volunteer facilitators. Most of them have been through a loss of their own and they find facilitating to be a source of their own healing and a way to "give back." Based in SE Michigan, their philosophy is based on Christian principles.
Open to Hope Foundation offers support for many loss types. The mission of the Open to Hope Foundation is to help those who have suffered a loss to cope with their pain and find hope for the future. Among their offering are blogs and Thursday night, Healing the Grieving Heart, podcasts.
Palliative.Org - Regional Palliative Care Program in Edmonton, Alberta is a community based model of palliative care services designed to increase access to high quality, cost effective palliative care services. The program has focused on providing access to palliative care support in the home and in all region health care institutions, while shifting the main area of end-of-life care from acute care, to home and hospice (hospices are in continuing or long term care facilities). As outlined in the objectives below, the program addresses clinical, educational, research and operational areas. Visit their Grief and Bereavement section from the General Public page.
Parents Without Partners is an international organization that provides real help in the way of discussions, professional speakers, study groups, publications, and social activities for families and adults. Through the exchange of ideas and companionship, they hope to enhance the common welfare of single parents and the well-being of children.
Rainbow Faith is a Christian grief ministry website whose mission is to encourage and uplift those traveling the painful journey through grief, with words of inspiration, faith and hope through their heartfelt grief poems and stories, and a great line of inspirational gifts and bereavement gifts. Rainbow Faith offers a weekly column to encourage those going through grief. The column Life After Loss is updated every Sunday. Written by Ferna Lary Mills, author of "The Rainbow: Words of Inspiration, Faith and Hope," and Betty Sue Eaton, author of "Listening to the Garden Grow."
ReMarrieds.Net is a private forum in which to discuss the complicated issues of remarrying or recoupling after the death of a spouse and life partner. Applications for membership are welcomed; only members can post and view the forum content.
Share Grief... because you're not alone. Since 2001, ShareGrief.com has been providing on-line grief support, education and resources via email to the bereaved from all over the world. We have provided this service to: * grievers who are isolated or live in rural areas where services are unavailable * the bereaved who are elderly, handicapped or homebound * people with busy lifestyles who find it difficult to seek professional help at a regular scheduled time * those that are uncomfortable speaking face-to-face with someone about their grief * teens and young adults who would rather discuss their losses via email rather than with family, friends, or professionals.
Spirit Space was orginally designed to be one person's attempt to share knowledge and experience with those that wish to make contact with departed loved ones. It has since evolved into a community of caring souls all sharing the concept of being harbingers of hope and love to those that suffer the pain of loss. Here you can explore among many things - mediumship, dreams, intuition, energy, and numerology.
Survivors of Suicide is an independently owned and operated website which is not associated with any specific group, organization, or religious affiliation. The purpose of the Survivors Of Suicide website is to help those who have lost a loved one to suicide resolve their grief and pain in their own personal way.
Sympathy Sharing Site is a worldwide compendium where written greetings and tributes can be shared 'Quaker Style' at your leisure. Also available is a free open forum where feelings can be shared and a memorial section.
TAPS, The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, provides support for the families of members of our Armed Forces.
Tom Golden's Crisis, Grief, & Healing is a place men and women can discuss, chat, or simply browse to understand and honor the many different paths to heal strong emotions. Mr. Golden is an internationally known psychotherapist, author, and speaker on the topic of healing from loss. This site is one of the few web resources that offers assistance specifically directed towards men. Mr. Golden is the author of Swallowed by a Snake: The Gift of the Masculine Side of Healing and A Man You Know is Grieving: 12 Ideas for Helping Him Heal From Loss.
Violent Crime Victim Services seeks to provide services in our community for the victim/survivors of homicide. They endeavor to act as an advocate for these families by offering them peer support groups, peer court support, crisis intervention, mental health referrals, and faith community referrals. VCVS strives to act as an advocate to ensure that victims receive their constitutional rights, due dignity and respect, and have a meaningful role in the criminal justice system.
WHYY's Wider Horizons is an information and entertainment service for everyone looking forward to or living the second half of life (includes specific grief resources).
Widow and Widows Meetup from meetup.com, allows you to meet up with registered widow and widower groups near you. Enter your country and proceed to city or zip code entry to find information on the nearest Widow and Widow Meetup group.
Widow Friends is a real time chat site for Widows and Widowers.
WidowNet offers information and self-help resources for and by, widows and widowers. Topics covered include grief, bereavement, recovery, and other information helpful to people of varying ages, religious background, and sexual orientation, who have suffered the death of a spouse and life partner. The WidowNet Bulletin Board is the interactive discussion forum of WidowNet.
Widows' Rights International (formerly Empowering Widows in Development) is an organization founded in England by Margaret Owen which serves to aid widows in developing countries gain their civil and economic rights. WRI lobbies for the rights of widows in the United Nations and has been persistent in putting widows'e2'80'99 issues on the international map.
Widowsource.com, a widow's source for strength and renewal. Founded by Louise Stanger, a third generation widow, who lives in San Diego, California. Armed with a sense of humor, Louise is a frequent speaker at national conferences and local health organizations. Her interests in grief and loss, women, and leadership are longstanding. The contents found on this website are taken from the book entitled "Good Grief for Widows and their Families" which she is currently developing. Among the many topics are Wedding Rings and Bedrooms, In-Laws and Out-Laws, Money Matters, and Sex and Dating.
Writing to Heal, Writing to Grow offers the exposure to therapeutic, educational, fun writing courses to examine and understand life's events.
Writing The Heartache is a website designed to provide encouragement for those who want to use writing as an essential tool for healing, especially in grief.
YoungWidow.org is the original and only interactive website and nonprofit organization exclusively dedicated to young widows and widowers. Chapter Two is a range of innovative programs designed to help you move forward. We are here to help you find the support you need. Please contact us for suggestions and information.
Young Widows and Widowers is operated by and for its members with the assistance of qualified facilitators. It is not affiliated with any other organization. Widows and widowers in the group range in age from 20 to 58, about 20 years younger than the traditional widowed population. Many are parents of very young or school-age children and all subscribe to our philosophy of turning grief into growth. Younger widowed persons have needs not addressed by other groups, a fact that led to the formation of YWW in 1983. This group is located in Andover, MA.
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Created on 09/14/2005 08:32 AM by admin
Updated on 01/23/2009 09:43 PM by Branch
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