Making Healing Connections in Grief Support Groups

Care Dimensions offers many in-person and virtual bereavement support groups and workshops for our hospice families and our community through the Bertolon Center for Grief and Healing. These include sessions for people who have experienced a specific kind of loss, such as a spouse, parent, adult child, or loved one who died by suicide.

We have noticed that participants in these groups have made amazing healing connections that extend far beyond the sessions. New friendships have been forged out of the sharing of their common losses. These grieving families have come together to inspire and encourage each other. Many gather for coffee following the sessions and plan dinners together during each month.

A safe place to share feelings about grief

We often hear support group participants say things like, “My family and friends don’t know what I’m going through,“ or, “I feel like I am burdening my friends with my grief.” They need a safe place where they can share their feelings with others who are experiencing similar circumstances, and we provide it for them. They know that they are not alone in their grief journey. 

As support group facilitators, we help participants find solutions to their challenges and the healing that they seek from within themselves and each other. In addition, we learn from the participants and enhance our own abilities, knowledge, and approaches to helping the bereaved heal.

We all have the power to heal ourselves and each other. When we are drawn together by our common loss, our healing power is amplified. We have seen this phenomenon first-hand in our support group participants. We encourage you to explore the healing power you have within youself and to share it with others.

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” — Edith Wharton

Care Dimensions offers grief support groups and other resources for anyone in the community who is grieving a loss. Visit CareDimensions.org/Grief for a list of workshops and support groups. For more information, email [email protected] or call 855-774-5100.

About the authors

Bob Hagopian, M.Div., is Greater Boston Bereavement Coordinator, and Mary Beth Grimm is Greater Boston Bereavement Associate for Care Dimensions.