Quick Links to Grief Resources

Writing About Grief

“The unbearable grief of Black Mothers” by A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez

Meadows-Fernandez provides a compelling overview of the multi-layered and multi-generational grief experienced by Black mothers. She addresses the emotional and physical burdens of such sorrow and pain, including the term “weathering,” which describes how racism causes one’s health to worsen. She advocates for active processing of grief and provides resources for individuals and communities.

 "To Grieve" by Will Daddario

What does it mean to grieve rightly? Might there be such a thing as an ethics of grief, a practice of turning my full attention to the specificity of each loss so as to carry such loss in me and to become, in the words of Gilles Deleuze, worthy of what has happened to me? To Grieve answers these questions through Will's personal and philosophical ruminations following the sudden deaths of his son, father, step-father, friend, grandmother, and cat. 

"10 Steps for Healing from Public Tragedy" by Sheridan Hill

Drawing on the writing of spiritual psychologist Robert Sardello, Black Mountain-based author Sheridan Hill writes a poignant piece reflecting on natural and human-made tragedies. She invokes and teases out the mythology surrounding Pandora's Box and offers some simple and profound ways to heal ourselves individually and, by extension, those around us in the wider world.

MINDFULNESS & GRIEF

Created by Heather Stang, author of Mindfulness and Grief (2018), this website features “The Grief Help Blog” that includes Stang’s writing as well as the varied perspectives of guest bloggers. The posts are interspersed with podcast episodes that engage with a broad range of topics related to loss, grief, bereavement, and healing.

Modern Loss

The creative minds behind Modern Loss have curated a wide-ranging spectrum of short articles about death, grief, and healing. Organized by "type of loss" and "hot topics," the site provides diverse perspectives and encourages conversation and community-building for those of us who are grieving.

Still Standing Magazine

The writing for this online magazine focuses on infertility and loss (primarily related to miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant death). You will find here a collection of writers sharing their perspectives & experiences on topics including pyschology & grief, pregnancy after loss, helping children cope with loss, and losing an adult child. There are also articles for medical professionals and additional resources for grievers. 

**We have read MANY books, essays, plays, poems, and articles related to grief, bereavement, loss, trauma, and healing. Please connect with us if you are looking for recommendations.

Grief Retreats

Golden Willow Retreat - Arroyo Hondo, NM

“Golden Willow Retreat is a non-profit organization that promotes healthy grieving by empowering people impacted by all forms of loss through therapeutic programming and professional development.” With a staff that includes licenced counselors, yoga instructors, a massage therapist, and a cranisacral and reflexology practitioner, Golden Willow undertakes a holistic approach to healing and wellness.

Faith's Lodge - Danbury, WI

Faith's Lodge is a sanctuary for grieving parents and families. Since opening in 2007, Faith's Lodge has served more than 8,500 people. We attended a weekend retreat in June 2015. Visit their website if you or someone you know has experienced the death of a child or has a living child with a medically-complex condition. Listen to Episode 7 of our To Grieve Podcast to learn more about this healing place.

Luella’s Lodge - Oakwood, IL

This healing place is developing its programming (in-person and online) as they construct additional suites to house families who have experienced child loss. With an emphasis on non-traditional holistic approaches to healing, their programming will include experiences with nature, music therapy, yoga, and more.

SELAH CAREFARM - Sedona, AZ

Located outside of Sedona, the Selah Carefarm approach to grief care/support “is simple, safe and focuses on three restorative areas of support: Carefarming, Contemplative practices, [and] Physical well-being.” Selah Carefarm manifests from the compassionate vision of founder Dr. Joanne Cacciatore and a team of grievers, mental health professionals, educators, and body workers.

Grief Support & Education

MISS Foundation - Phoenix, AZ

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore (see above) created the MISS Foundation in 1996, following the death of her daughter. MISS is a "volunteer-based organization providing CARE [counseling, advocacy, research, and education] services to families experiencing the death of a child." Their resources include: research articles related to death and grief and continuing education classes for professionals.

Kara L.C. Jones of the Creative Grief Studio

Among her many offerings, Kara - an artist and active griever - works with Helping Professionals (therapists, social workers, chaplains, nurses, etc.) to increase their skill level and confidence when working with individuals, families, and communities on issues and situations involving grief.

The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath, and Death

Former hospital chaplain and doula (birth and death) Amy Wright Glenn created this institution in 2015 to offer resources and training to those interested in supporting others through birth, death, and grief. Joanne regularly teaches an online Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss training on behalf of the Institute.

Association for Death Education and Counseling

This organization provides certification in thanatology (the study of death and death practices). They offer online learning (webinars and a handbook) and organize an annual conference. Members receive access to three published journals and a biweekly digest of news related to death, dying, and loss. Their website also includes a Resources page with links to various organizations and Educational Statements on topics such as “Holidays and Grieving Children” and “Marriage and Child Death”.

The Center for Loss & Life Transition - Fort Collins, CO

This center, founded in 1984 by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, holds trainings for those who wish to deepen their understanding of grief and bereavement. Topics include: Counseling Skills Fundamentals, Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Grief, and Support Group Facilitator Training. Wolfelt has also published widely on various topics related to loss and grief, and you can find his books on the website. His “companioning” model challenges medicalized understandings of grief as something to be cured and recovered from.

Resources for Children Who are Grieving

Scholastic Publications

This website includes articles and activities for teachers and for families who are looking for resources to help support grieving children. You’ll also find a Reading List as well as lists of Support Groups and Grief Organizations.

National Alliance for Grieving Children

This non-profit organization continuing education, peer networking, an annual symposium, and a national database of children’s bereavement programs. Explore the website for various resources: an FAQ list on child bereavement, a holiday toolkit, online webinars, etc.

Allina Health Book List

You’ll find here an extensive list of suggested reading oorganized by age (Preschool to 8, 8-12, etc.) and Grief Loss (Friend Loss, Parent Loss, Sibling Loss, etc.).

Sesame Street: Helping Kids Grieve

As part of the Sesame Street in Communities initiative, the long-running children’s educational program has created a webpage with many resources for kids and families who are grieving: activities, art projects, videos, and articles. If you explore the Sesame Street in Communities page, you’ll also resources for topics including “Tramautic Experiences,” “Offering Comfort,” “Incarceration,” and “Community Violence.”

The Dougy Center: The National Center for Grieving Children & Families - Portland, OR

Begun in 1982, the Center provides peer support to children and families experiencing the death of a loved one. With a wealth of online resources, professional training, peer support groups for various ages & circumstances, books and DVDs for purchase, a podcast, and much more, The Dougy Center provides education, compassion, and care for hundreds of individuals a month.

Child Mind Institute

This national non-profit focuses on research, education, advocacy, and support for children’s mental health. Their website includes abundance resources across a range of topics and mental health issues. The above link brings you to their resources regarding Trauma & Grief. Articles there include “Self-Care in the Time of Coronavirus,” “Supporting Children After the Suicide of a Classmate,” and “How to Handle Holidays After a Death in the Family.”

Experience Camps

A national, no-cost program founded in 2009, Experience Camps supports grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. “One-week, overnight summer camp, year-round programs, and content help to reframe the experience of grief, and empower kids with the necessary coping skills to move forward with their lives.”

Non-Profits set up by Grieving Parents to Support other Grieving Parents

SAILS (Stillborn And Infant Loss Support)

Sadija A. Smiley created SAILS after the stillbirth of her daughter Ivyanna. SAILS “provide[s] a platform of community, mentorship, education and advocacy to families impacted by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby before their first birthday.” Their Resources page contains links to helpful organizations, books, films, etc. Joanne is on their Board of Directors :)

Cradling Memories - The Milo James Coe Foundation

Grieving parents Jessica and Mitch created this foundation to honor their beloved son, Milo James. They “provide perinatal families anticipating a limited life or experiencing a loss with resources to make a lifetime of memories. No family should have to leave the hospital without their baby. When they do, it is our goal to ensure they have memories of their baby to cradle.” 

Piper’s Purpose

Named for her beloved daughter, Piper’s Purpose was created by Ohio-based Claire Olson to support professionals who work with grieving families. By providing education for mental and medical care providers and material supports for them to share with loss families, Piper’s Purpose brings a lot of heart to their work.

Miles with Maeve 

Garrett & Christine McAlister formed this non-profit to honor their baby girl Maeve. Garrett writes, "Miles with Maeve humbly borrows the formula of endurance-coached fundraising and applies it to benefit families struggling to find possibility after the loss of a child or pregnancy." 

Our Hearts Align

Wanting to provide grieving women and couples with resources after a pregnancy loss, Kara Mangum launched Our Hearts Align. Providing care packages, a pregnancy loss devotional, and tips and ideas for physical, emotional, and mental well-being after a loss, Kara and her team provide comfort and support to many.

The Finley Project

“The Finley Project is committed to providing care for mothers who have experienced the unimaginable - the loss of an infant. Our devoted team provides a lifeline for mothers in the minutes, hours and days after infant loss through a 7-Part Holistic Program that supports each mother physically, emotionally and spiritually at no financial cost to them.”

Resources on Green Burial and Home Funerals

Natural Transitions Magazine

This "resource for green and holistic approaches to end of life" was founded in 2011 and works to promote an understanding of dying and death as the natural processes that they are. On the website you can access the current and back issues of the magazine (as e-versions or in print), which cover a variety of topics and perspectives.

Green Burial Project

Green Burial Project is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of green (or natural) burial over our current options of conventional burial, fire cremation, and wet cremation (alkaline hydrolysis). Their sole aim is to spread the news about the environmental, financial, and spiritual benefits of returning our bodies to the earth in a manner consistent with our values and our heritage.

Aldergrove Farms

These products are designed to move the funeral and burial process to a greener and more human-centered place.  John Jull, coffineer, believes we can only achieve this through continuous attention to the environmental impact of our products and practices and by attentively listening to our client's ideas for meaningful ceremony.  

National Home Funeral Alliance (NHFA)

Find resources (including practical and logistical details) for those wishing to hold a home funeral and materials that you can use to teach others in your community about the option of home funerals. The website includes a directory of end-of-life doulas, funeral celebrants, and more.

Asheville, NC Area Resources

  • Center for Conscious Living and Dying - Swannanoa, NC. Provides end-of-life planning and direct care as well as death education, community events, etc. Learn More!

  • Death Cafe Asheville/Hendersonville via Third Messenger - organizes group discussions, speakers, films, etc. related to living, dying, and grieving. Usually meets monthly - Online during the Covid pandemic. www.facebook.com/deathcafeasheville/

  • Perinatal Loss Support Group - Homegrown Families. Email: info@ashevillehomegrownfamilies.com

  • Four Seasons Hospice: Support and resources for adults and adolescents: fourseasonscare.org/our-services/grief-services/