Finding Grief Support: Counselors, Support Groups, and Community Resources

You don’t have to navigate grief entirely on your own — there are more support options available than most people realize, and many are free.

What’s the difference between a support group and individual counseling?

A therapist or grief counselor offers individual, personalized support - some specifically trained in grief or trauma-informed care. This can be especially valuable for complicated grief, sudden or traumatic loss, or if grief feels unmanageable on your own. A support group, by contrast, connects you with others experiencing similar loss, which many people find genuinely validating, especially when a loss feels isolating. Some people benefit from both.

Caregivers of someone with dementia often grieve long before a death, and support groups for them can be especially valuable; see ambiguous loss and grieving someone with dementia who is still alive.

For pregnancy and infant loss, see grief after a miscarriage or stillbirth.

How do I find grief support specific to my situation?

Groups exist for general grief support and for more specific situations - losing a spouse, a child, a sibling, a pet, or grief after a suicide loss, among others. A more specific fit can sometimes feel more helpful than a general group.

What about faith communities?

If you’re part of a faith community, clergy or congregation-based grief support can offer both spiritual and practical comfort, often free and readily available.

Do I have to have used hospice to access their grief support?

Often no - many local hospices offer bereavement support to the broader community, not just families of patients they directly cared for. It’s worth calling a hospice near you, even if they weren’t involved in your loved one’s care, since many extend this support widely and often at no cost.

Are there free grief support options?

Yes - many hospices, community organizations, and faith communities offer free grief support groups, and some non-profits offer sliding-scale or free individual counseling as well.

Where should I start if I’m not sure?

If you don’t know where to begin, a primary care doctor, a local hospice, or a national organization like the Hospice Foundation of America can often point you toward resources appropriate to your specific situation.

If someone you love has had a miscarriage, see what to say to someone after a miscarriage.

After a pregnancy loss, see pregnancy after loss.

For suicide loss or overdose loss, see why suicide loss feels different and losing someone to an overdose.

For groups specific to suicide or overdose loss, see support groups for suicide and overdose loss.

If you’ve been using AI chatbots for support, see using AI chatbots for grief support.

If grief ever feels unmanageable or includes thoughts of harming yourself, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 — call or text 988.

If your loved one had dementia, see relief, guilt, and grief after a long dementia illness.