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Support Groups for Bereaved Families

Grief looks different for every family. Whether your loss is recent or happened years ago, you may find yourself searching for answers, comfort, or ways to support those around you. The resources below are here to help you understand grief, care for yourself and your family, and find support when you need it.

Resources for Bereaved Families

Caregiver Support Groups

American Guild for Infant Survival AGIS Support Group

Overview: For parents who have experienced the death of an infant through Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Contact: Scott & Eileen Hessek at (757) 463-3845

Grief and Loss Support

Overview: For anyone who has experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, including stillbirths and ectopic pregnancy.

Perinatal Loss Support Group (Bon Secours)

Overview: For anyone who has experienced the death of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, fetal or neonatal death. Meetings are in person 2nd Thursday of every month from 7-8 pm. Contact: Jamey Kagey at (757) 947-3614 or email Jamey_Kagey@bshsi.org.

Good Mourning: Pregnancy and Infant Loss

Overview: For parents who have experienced the loss of a baby due to miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death. Contact: Anisa Glowczak/Ann Prescott at (757) 572-4609 or email GoodMourningCC@gmail.com.

Share

Overview: For parents who have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. Learn More: Please call (757) 524-0114 or email ShareHamptonRoadsVA@gmail.com.

Star Legacy

Overview: Virtual Support groups ranging from perinatal loss, infant loss, pregnancy after loss, SIDS and infant death & more. Groups are held via HIPAA compliant videoconferencing and facilitated by trained health professionals. Pre-registration is required only once. Contact: Online only, please call (952) 715-7731.

Forget Me Not Perinatal Support Group

Overview: Support for anyone who has suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. When: First Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Contact: Rita Hefner/Linda Hudson at (757) 369-7294 or (757) 612-7693 or email Rita.Hefner@rivhs.com or Linda.Hudson@rivhs.com.

CHKD Grief Support Group

Overview: For parents who have experienced the death of a child. Open to anyone in the Tidewater Community. Contact: Anne W. Kesner, CHKD Bereavement Coordinator at (757) 668-9661 or email GriefSupport@chkd.org.

Parents Grief Support Group: Edmarc

Overview: For parents or guardians who have experienced the death of a child, under the age of 18.This group meets once a month, on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. RSVP is requested. Contact: Megan Gillispie, Director of Clinical Services at (757) 967-9251 or email Mgillispie@edmarc.org.

CHKD Oncology Grief Support Group - Beams of Hope

Overview: For grief and bereavement support for any parent of a CHKD patient who has died from cancer. Contact: Rebecca Ruck at (757) 668-9617 or email Rebecca.Ruck@chkd.org.

Compassionate Friends

Overview: For parents who have experienced the death of a child. Led by parents.

Locations:

Riverside Hospice Grief Support Group

Overview: For parents or anyone who has experienced a loss due to death, or any significant life changing loss. Although primarily for adults, Riverside Hospice offers one on one's with children and parents upon request. Contact: Cayce Beasley (757) 789-5000 or email: Cayce.Beasley@rivhs.com.

Grief Share

Overview: A website to find individualized grief/loss groups. There are many chapters and telehealth options available for each individual grief experience.

Children's Support Groups

Kidz 'n Grief

  • Overview: Age specific groups for ages 3-25, who have experienced the death of a loved one. 
  • When: Meets September thru June.
  • Who to Contact: Ariane Walter Bereavement & Volunteer Coordinator at (757) 947-3420 or email: Ariane_Walter@bshsi.org.

Mickey's Camp

  • Overview: A grief support group where children ages 7-17 are paired with an adult to explore their grief and process emotions.
  • Who to Contact: Ariane Walter Bereavement & Volunteer Coordiinator at (757) 947-3420 or email Ariane_Walter@bshsi.org.

Peace by Piece (Edmarc & Jewish Family Services (JFS))

  • Overview: For children and teens, ages 7-18, who have experienced any significant death, in partnership between Edmarc & Jewish Family Services of Tidewater, Inc. (JFS).
  • When: Peace by Piece meets twice per month, from September thru May. Please call/ email to sign up.
  • Who to Contact: Megan Gillispie, Bereavement Program Director at (757) 967-9251 or email: Mgillispie@edmarc.org.

Camp M.A.G.I.C. (Edmarc)

  • Overview: Camp M.A.G.I.C. (My Active Grieving Instills Courage) is an overnight weekend of fun, connection and support for bereavement families. 
  • When: Families will participate in activities together, as well as attend breakout groups throughout the weekend. Camp typically takes place at the end of August each year.
  • Who to Contact: Megan Gillispie, Director of Clinical Services at (757) 967-9251 or email: Mgillispie@edmarc.org.

Comfort Zone Camp

  • Overview: Grief camp for children and teens ages 5-25, and their families.
  • When: Year-round weekend camps held in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Virginia.
  • Learn More: Call (866) 488-5679 or visit www.comfortzonecamp.org.

Camp Fragile Hearts

  • Overview: One-day event for children ages 7-17, who have experienced any type of loss or grief.
  • When: Typically held in October.
  • Who to Contact: Cayce Beasley at (757) 789-5000 or email: Cayce.Beasley@rivhs.com.
Grief Resources

Bereaved Parents of the USA 

Center for Loss& Life Transition 

Centering Corporation 

Compassion Books 

Fire in My Heart, Ice in My Veins
An online journal created to help teenagers share their personal stories, illustrations, etc.

Grief NET 
An internet community of adults/ children dealing with grief, death and major loss

Grief SHARE

Grieve OUT LOUD 

An internet community of compassion and hope for grieving families

A Heart Breaking Choice 
A website and chat room for parents who have had to face the decision of interrupting a pregnancy due to chromosomal, genetic or medical reasons.

The Healing Garden 
Offers interactive activites to help children deal with their grief and loss through creative expression and companion interaction. Parents may visit the adult

Help with Grief 

Miss Foundation 
An internet community of compassion and hope for grieving families

Returen to Zero: Hope 
Resources and support for death of a child: including miscarriage, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), stillbirth, infant or toddler death, loss through surrogacy and/ or failed adoption.

SIDS Support Websites:

https://firstcandle.org/bereavement-support-for-a-sids-loss-is-critical/

https://www.callenscause.org/about-callen

https://www.sidsresources.org

Silent Grief - Child Loss Support

Star Legacy

Courageous Parents Network 

Recommended Reading

Books For Parent(s)/Guardians:

For Teens:

For Children/Siblings:

Other Death Related Literature for Trauma, Suicide, etc.

Funeral Home List

As a grieving parent/guardian, we at CHKD do not want you to feel isolated or alone in the process of funeral planning. Please know that our bereavement coordinator and/or chaplains can explain the process and help you with questions, concerns, etc. at your own pace. Learn more about making funeral arrangements for your child.

Contact the Bereavement Support Team

Email: GriefSupport@chkd.org

Related Services

Bereavement Support

Remembrancemile

Remembrance Mile at RunWalk for the Kids

Join the Bereaved Parents Advisory Council for the Remembrance Mile at the 20th Annual RunWalk for the Kids, special space to honor, celebrate, and remember children who will forever remain in our hearts. Families are invited to gather along the route and pay tribute in ways that honor their child's memory while cheering on participants. Participation is free and does not require RunWalk registration.

Learn More