The Role of Support Groups in Healing from Loss

There is something uniquely powerful about being in a room — or a video call — with other people who have experienced a loss similar to yours. Friends and family who haven't been through it often don't know what to say. They can be loving and present, but they cannot fully understand what you're carrying. Someone who has lost a spouse, a child, or a parent to the same kind of loss you've experienced can say two words — "me too" — and those two words carry more weight than a thousand well-meaning platitudes.

That is the core of what grief support groups offer: witnessed understanding. This guide explains what types of groups exist, what to expect, and how to find one that fits you.

Types of Grief Support Groups

General bereavement groups

These groups welcome anyone who has experienced a significant loss, regardless of who died or how. They tend to have rotating membership and are accessible for most bereaved people. GriefShare is one of the most widely available in the US.

Loss-specific groups

Many people find it most helpful to be with others who have experienced the same type of loss. Specialized groups include:

• Spousal loss groups — for widows and widowers
• Bereaved parents groups — for parents who have lost a child at any age (The Compassionate Friends is the largest US organization for this)
• Suicide loss survivor groups — for those who have lost someone to suicide (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers these)
• Pregnancy and infant loss groups — for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death
• Pet loss groups — increasingly available as awareness of pet grief grows

In-person vs. online groups

Both formats have real value, and neither is inherently better. In-person groups offer physical presence and community connection. Online groups offer accessibility (especially for those with mobility limitations, rural location, or demanding schedules), anonymity, and a wider selection of specialized groups. Many people attend both.

What Happens in a Grief Support Group

Most grief support groups follow a similar format: participants gather (in person or virtually) with a facilitator — often a grief counselor or a trained volunteer who has been through a similar loss. There is typically a short reading or educational component, followed by an open sharing circle where members speak about their grief. There is no pressure to share if you're not ready — listening is equally valuable.

Most groups last 60–90 minutes. They run in sessions (often 8–13 weeks) or as ongoing open groups. There is usually no cost, or a minimal suggested donation.

Benefits of Joining a Grief Support Group

Research consistently shows that participation in grief support groups leads to:

• Reduced feelings of isolation and loneliness
• Decreased depression and anxiety symptoms in bereaved participants
• Normalization of grief experiences — understanding that what you're feeling is not unusual
• Practical coping strategies shared by others further along in their grief journey
• Lasting friendships with people who truly understand

How to Find a Grief Support Group in the US

• GriefShare — the largest network of grief recovery support groups in the US. Find a group at griefshare.org by entering your zip code.
• The Compassionate Friends — for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings. Hundreds of local chapters across the US. compassionatefriends.org
• AFSP Survivor Support — the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers support groups for suicide loss survivors. afsp.org
• Hospice organizations — most hospices offer free bereavement support groups to anyone in the community, not just families of patients.
• Hospital bereavement programs — many hospitals run grief groups, particularly for specific types of loss (cardiac, cancer, etc.)
• Your place of worship — many religious communities offer grief ministries or support groups.

Online Grief Communities

If in-person isn't accessible, these online communities can provide meaningful connection:

• r/grief on Reddit — a large, active community of bereaved people sharing their experiences
• GriefShare Online — virtual groups following the GriefShare curriculum
• Modern Loss — an online community with resources and forums for bereaved people
• What's Your Grief — educational resources and an engaged online community

What If a Group Isn't for Me?

Support groups are not for everyone, and that's completely okay. Some people find them deeply helpful; others find them draining or not the right fit at a particular stage of grief. If you try a group and it doesn't feel right, consider trying a different group, a different format (in-person vs. online), or a different stage of your grief journey. Many people who resist groups in early grief find them more accessible and useful several months in.

If group settings don't work for you, one-on-one therapy or peer support — a single friend or connection who has been through a similar loss — can offer many of the same benefits.

Peer Support vs. Therapy — Knowing the Difference

Grief support groups are peer support, not therapy. They offer community, normalization, and shared experience. They are not a substitute for professional mental health treatment if you are experiencing complicated grief, clinical depression, PTSD, or suicidal thoughts. In those cases, individual therapy or psychiatric support is the appropriate first step — and groups can be a valuable complement to it.

For more on when to seek professional help, see our article on bereavement and mental health. For strategies to use between meetings, explore our guide to coping with intense grief emotions.