Grief can be a very lonely experience. If you feel alone, overwhelmed by grief or “stuck” and wondering how to move on with life, you are not alone. There are many people who care and understand, and they want to help you. We want to provide several resources to help you through this time of grief. Through these groups, you may make connections with people who will share your sorrow and may become lifelong friends.

1. Fall River Bereavement Support – Together Finding Ways to Make Sense of it All

This is a support group to help people cope with the loss of a loved one. Losing someone we love truly hurts, leaving us with so many unanswered questions and a multitude of conflicting emotions. At first, we may turn to family and friends to share our grief; but as time goes on, we may find it difficult to reach out to them, because it becomes difficult for them to understand our feelings.

The basis of the group is to allow individuals to share their experiences, feelings, emotions with others who are on the very same journey. In the sharing, often we discover new ways of coping, and begin to discover new strength and hope.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the session.  Once you are registered you can attend any session in your chosen time slot. The group meets on Tuesdays. There is no fee to participate. One-on-one sessions can also be arranged.  For more information, please call 508-642-0583 or contact this website.

2. HopeHealth

Every person’s grief experience is unique. If you are grieving the loss of someone, we can help you toward a path of hope and renewal. The grief support professionals at our Center for Hope & Healing offer compassionate and individualized support for grief at any stage. We offer an expansive grief support group program and offer community programs like Camp BraveHeart for kids as well as remembrance events. Our grief support services are offered throughout Rhode Island and Massachusetts. You can call them today at (888) 528-9077 or check out www.hopehealthco.org.

3. Rainbows: Children Suffering Loss

Rainbows is a non-profit support group for children who have experienced loss. This group provides an opportunity to meet other children who have had similar experiences and offer them a place to sort through their feelings and hopefully to come to a healthy acceptance of what has happened in their family.  Children gather by age in small groups once a week for six weeks each semester. The program is NOT counseling or therapy, but rather peer support facilitated by trained adult volunteers. There is never a fee. You can find out more by calling 508-822-5869 or visiting their website.

4. Southcoast VNA Health Bereavement Services

Southcoast VNA understands that grieving can be a distressing and confusing process. They recognize that the needs of family and friends do not end when their loved one dies. They provide several services, at no cost. You can go to their website to download their current Bereavement Brochure and to access their events calendar.

Ongoing Grief Support Groups

Open groups are for people who need encouragement at any point in the grieving process. In-person and remote groups are available. Adult groups meet monthly to give family members and friends the opportunity to learn more about the grief experience and to meet others who are grieving. Groups include a Widow and Widower Grief Support Group and General Loss Grief Support Group and are open to anyone in the community. For more information, call (800) 698-6877 or check out this website.

Grieving During the Holidays Workshops

This one-hour workshop provides ideas to help you navigate the challenges that accompany the holidays, to honor the memory of your loved one, and to learn how to better care for your needs as you grieve. You can watch this video at any time on their website.
Call this number for more information: (800) 698-6877.

Children’s Bereavement Support Program

Turning Sadness Around is a 6-session children’s bereavement group designed to provide grief support to children ages 9-12 following the death of a significant person in their lives. These sessions, facilitated by professional staff and trained volunteers, are designed to help children express their feelings and reactions to this major loss in their life within a safe, supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere through creative activities. Children are encouraged to participate as they feel comfortable and at their own pace. Call this number to find out more (800) 698-6877 or check out this website.

Camp Angel Wings

Camp Angel Wings is a bereavement day camp experience in Assonet, offered at no cost for children ages six to 15. To learn more, call this number (800) 698-6877 or check out this website for more information about Camp Angel Wings.

Annual Remembrance Service

Southcoast VNA Supportive Care Center hosts an annual service to remember, reflect and move forward with hope. Held annually, this service offers the community the opportunity to honor and celebrate loved ones who have died. To find out more, call this number (800) 698-6877 or contact their website.

Bereavement Services for Families of Hospice Patients: Bereavement Correspondence

Periodic supportive mailings, including helpful information on loss and grief and other inspirational materials are sent to family members as a foundational support piece for the bereaved. Call this number to find out more (800) 698-6877 or check out this website.

Individual Bereavement Counseling

A trained bereavement professional is available to meet with family members or friends of a hospice patient who has died to offer support and guidance with the grief process. For more information about Southcoast VNA and their bereavement services, call (508) 973-3227 or contact their website.

5. GriefShare Groups

This GriefShare website offers a way to search for local grief groups and events. Note that some events may have a fee associated with attendance or to cover the cost of materials. Click here to see the GriefShare group information for the New Bedford area.

6. Online Grief Help

If you are unable to get out and meet with a group in person, there are several online resources to help you through this time of grief.

BereavedParentsUSA.com

Dougy.org

Grief.com

Healgrief.org

JourneyofHearts.org

Lifewaywomen.com

Webhealing.com

Throughout this time of grief, you are not alone. We want to encourage you to reach out to the resources here that interest you. You may find that some of these resources do not fit your situation, but we hope that one or more of them will resonate with you and provide the help you need. Know that you are very special. We want you to receive the support and encouragement you need during this time of sorrow.