Grief Resources

Grief affects everyone in different ways, and it’s a normal response to loss. Coping with our grief and emotions can feel easy on some days, and on other days it can feel more challenging to process. The resources below can help you learn to cope with your grief and understand the complex experience we all go through.

If you or someone you know needs immediate assistance or is going through a mental health crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). 

Jump ahead to these sections:

• Coping with Grief
  • Activities to try
  • Support groups & counseling
  • Grief in cultures & religions
  • Helping others cope with grief
• Understanding Grief
• More Resources

Coping with Grief

Experiencing grief can affect our daily lives. Here are some resources that might help you cope with grief, including self-care tips to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.

• 9 Things to Do When Overwhelmed By Grief Attacks - This article includes some helpful tips when you're feeling overwhelmed by grief, from going for a walk outside to talking about your loss.
  
• How to Recognize Your Grief Triggers: Step-By-Step - Some things can set off your grief responses, like milestones and special occasions, and it might be helpful to identify those triggers. This article helps you recognize what your grief triggers might be. 
• How to Deal With Grief & Insomnia: 12 Tips to Help You Sleep - Self-care is important while grieving, and that includes getting enough sleep. This article provides tips to make sure you get the rest your mind, body, and heart needs.
• How to Deal With Grief and Anxiety at the Same Time - Learning to cope with grief while also dealing with anxiety can feel overwhelming. Some tips mentioned in this article include understanding the grief process, going outdoors, and meditating. 
• 11 Simple Self Care Tips for the Grief-Stricken - Sharing a meal with a friend or writing in a journal can help you cope with your grief. The ideas in this article might spark more ways to practice self-care while grieving.

Activities to try

Sometimes doing activities can help you find another way to process or express your emotions. You can also do some of the activities below with loved ones who are also grieving.

• 12 Grief Activity Ideas for Adults & Children - This article lists activities to do alone or with loved ones. There are arts and crafts activities, reading books about grief, and simply talking to others and socializing to help with your healing process.
• How to Start (and Keep) a DIY Grief Journal: Step-By-Step - Writing in a journal might be a helpful way to express your emotions and reflect on your loss. All you need is a journal, a pen, and the time and space to write.
• 14 Popular Grief Coloring Books for Adults + Children - Coloring can help you reduce stress and focus. This article includes inexpensive coloring books for all ages.
• 24 Best Books About Coping With Grief & Pain from Loss - Reading books is an activity you can do on your own time and at your own pace. This article suggests books on the loss of a parent, spouse, child, sibling, and friend.
• 10 Best Places to Find Free Yoga for Grief Videos - From the comfort of your own home, you can release any stress built up in your body by accessing the free yoga resources listed in this article.

Support groups & counseling

If you’re interested in joining a support group or meeting with a grief counselor, the resources below can provide some information and how to get started.

• What’s the Purpose of Grief Counseling? And What’s It Like? - If grief counseling is something you're interested in or have questions about, you might find your answers in this article. It explains what grief counseling is and how to know if you’re ready to get started.
• How Online Grief Counseling Works: Cost, Services + Tips - With more options to receive services online, you can meet with a grief counselor to help with your healing process. This article includes popular online grief counseling services and typical costs.
• 12 Best Free or Affordable Online Grief Support Groups - Everyone experiences grief in unique ways, but it isn’t something we have to go through alone. This article lists grief support groups for young adults and those who lost a parent, sibling, or spouse.
• 10 Ways to Find Free or Low-Cost Grief Counseling Near You - This article lists ways to find free or low-cost grief counseling, including in hospitals, churches and places of worship, and non-profit agencies.
• Traumatic Grief Therapy: Definition, Purpose + FAQs - This article explains what traumatic grief therapy is and who may benefit from it.

Grief in cultures & religions

Living with grief is a universal experience that affects everyone. Sometimes learning about how your own culture or other cultures process grief might help you better understand this experience. 

• What Does Buddhism Teach About Grief and Loss? - This article includes what Buddhists believe about grief and lists some Buddhist grief rituals. Learning about this might help you better understand your grief or a loved one’s experience.
• What to Write in a Sympathy Card for a Hindu Loved One: 15 Messages - There are many sympathy message examples in this article that can help you pay tribute and respect to a loved one’s Hindu background.
• What to Say to a Muslim Friend When Someone Dies - Sometimes, it’s challenging to know what to say to a grieving person and respect their religion and culture. This article explains some Islamic condolence etiquette and customs, and messages of support to send to a loved one.
• 16 Best Christian Books on Dealing with Grief - This article includes books for both adults and children on learning to cope with grief and was written by Christian authors.
• 14 DIY, Kosher Shiva Gift Basket Ideas to Deliver - You might find helpful tips in this article to prepare a Shiva gift basket with items like baked pasta or local teas and coffee.
• 15+ Irish Funeral Prayers, Blessings & Toasts to the Dead - This article shares Irish funeral prayers that can help you cope with your loss or to help comfort others who are grieving.

Helping others cope with grief

It can be tough to watch our loved ones go through so much pain after a loss. Here are some resources if you’re hoping to help others process their grief.

• How to Support Someone Who is Grieving From Far Away - This article provides tips on how to show your support virtually through ideas like sending an electronic sympathy card or mailing a gift.
• 14 Special Sympathy Gift Ideas That Aren’t Flowers - There are many ways to show your support through sympathy gifts. If everyone’s gifting flowers and you want to offer something different, this article lists other ideas like writing a letter, making a meal, or offering your time.

Understanding Grief

While learning to cope with the loss we experience, sometimes it helps to understand grief better. Below are some resources on grief, including debunking any myths you may have heard.

• 7 types of grief - Learning to cope with grief can be a complex experience, and it might be helpful to understand something we all go through. This article explains the different stages of grief, different types of grief, and how you or a loved one can learn to handle your grief.
• Common myths about grief - Every person reacts differently to grief, and sometimes we’re given well-intentioned advice about our healing process. This article helps debunk any myths you might have heard and allows you to grieve in the way that feels right for you.
• There is no timeline for grief - Everyone experiences grief in their own way, so associating a timeline to grieving could affect your healing process. This article helps explain what might disrupt a linear grief timeline.
• The difference between grief and mourning - You might have heard people use the words “grief” and “mourning” interchangeably, but there’s actually a difference between the two.
• Questions About grief to ask others or yourself - Self-reflection can be a part of your healing process, and it can also help you understand how you cope with grief. This article lists some questions you can ask yourself or a loved one who’s grieving.

More Resources

There are many individuals and organizations that are also sharing helpful information on grief. Here are some additional resources that might help. 

• Alica Forneret Grief and Death Resources - Alica Forneret is an educator, speaker, and consultant focusing on grief and grieving. Her website includes resources on her blog and workshops you can join.
• Refuge in Grief - Megan Devine is a psychotherapist, writer, grief advocate, and communication expert. Her website acknowledges that “It’s OK to not be OK” and you can find courses to help you cope with grief or order her book.
• The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families - The Dougy Center’s website includes many resources for all ages. They also have activities to help children express their grief.
• Helping Kids Grieve | Sesame Street in Communities - Sesame Street in Communities’ website can be a helpful resource for parents or guardians helping a child cope with their feelings. The website has videos you can watch together and activities to print out.