Grief
crosses all boundaries. When you are ready, it may be very helpful for you to
be among other people who have also suffered the loss of a loved one. Being
with others who have shared a similar loss can feel like a gift. It will allow
you to learn from each other and find ways in which your lives can be made less
painful. Other people who have experienced loss may be able to offer support and comfort, while sharing in your grief. Often, great relief can be found among those
who know the road we are on, the rugged terrain over which we are traveling and
what is required to make that journey.
Grief Support Groups
Providence Grief Support Groups
Providence Hospice offers grief support groups for adults. Facilitated by a grief counselor, these groups maintain a safe and confidential atmosphere to promote learning about grief and sharing with others who have experienced a loss. Each group has a specific beginning and end date, meaning group members will remain together and have the opportunity to bond throughout the process. Call to confirm when the next scheduled group will begin: (907) 212-4400.
GriefShare
There are several groups in the Anchorage and Eagle River areas who meet regularly as part of the GriefShare program. Visit their website at www.griefshare.org and enter your zip code to find a meeting location near you. Their website explains that GriefShare is a biblical, Christ-centered grief support group ministry, and that GriefShare seminars and support groups are led by people who understand what you are going through and want to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your life.
Hospice of Anchorage
Hospice of Anchorage provides a range of compassionate grief care services including one to one visits, peer support groups (such as the Forget Me Not Grief Program, the Dinner Party for young adults, the Miscarriage, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Group, and various groups for adults experiencing loss), as well as special events, information and referrals. All services are free of charge and are open to anyone in the community. For more information: www.hospiceofanchorage.org or (907) 561-5322.
Grief Support for Children and Youth:
Forget Me Not Grief Program - Hosted by Hospice of Anchorage
A facilitated peer support program for infants, children, and teens, their parents/caregivers and adults. Meets year round on regularly scheduled Thursdays, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Orientation is required. For more information: www.hospiceofanchorage.org or (907) 561-5322.
Other Special Populations:
Survivors of Suicide
Led by Alaska Police and Fire Chaplains’ Ministries, group meetings are designed to support family members and friends of those in our communities that have died by suicide. The goal is to help those affected by suicide come to some kind of relief from the pain, find some level of understanding, and somehow integrate this loss into their life, helping them to gather up the pieces of their life and go on from here. First and third Tuesdays of each month. For more information, alaskachaplain.org or 907-272-3100.
Veterans’ Grief and Loss Group
Open to veterans or spouses, this ongoing group meets monthly at the VA Behavioral Health building. For more information, call (907) 257-4854.
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group is an open discussion support group, sponsored by The TEARS Foundation and hosted at Church of the Rock in Wasilla (3571 Machen Rd.) The group meets on the last Tuesday of each month from 7pm-9pm, and any bereaved parent is welcome to drop in. For more information: www.thetearsfoundation.org
The Compassionate Friends provides personal comfort, hope, and support for families who have experienced the death of a child. The Mat-Su chapter meets every Thursday at 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. For more information, see www.compassionatefriends.org or call Karl and Joyce at (907) 373-0842.
Mat-Su Regional Home Care & Hospice offers grief support groups for adults who have experienced a significant loss. These groups utilize the Grief Recovery Method, and seven-week sessions are offered several times each year, typically meeting on Wednesday afternoons. For more information, call (907) 352-4800.
The Compassionate Friends provides personal comfort, hope, and support for families who have experienced the death of a child. The Fairbanks chapter meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Hannah Solomon Building, 317 Wendell Ave. For more information, see www.compassionatefriends.org or call Stephanie at (907) 479-6690.
Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Hospice Services offers several support groups for those who have experienced loss through death, including groups specifically for men, for women, and for survivors of suicide, as well as groups utilizing the Grief Recovery Method. For more information, or to determine which group would be right for you, call (907) 458-3090.
Peninsula Community Health Services of Alaska offers one-on-one therapeutic grief support in the Soldotna area. They also host quarterly support groups using the Grief Recovery Method. For more information, call the Behavioral Health Center at (907) 260-3691.
Hospice of the Central Peninsula offers grief support groups and bereavement services in Soldotna for community members in need of such support. For more information: www.hospiceofsoldotna.com or (907) 262-0453.
Hospice of Homer offers multiple support groups and other bereavement services for the whole community. For more information: www.hospiceofhomer.org or (907) 235-6899.
Hospice and Home Care of Juneau provides bereavement support to grieving individuals, families, and communities. Services include on-on-one grief counseling, support groups, and remembrance gatherings. For more information: www.ccsjuneau.org or call bereavement coordinator Joni Pico at (907) 463-6106.
Hospice of Haines offers an annual grief group, in addition to one-on-one bereavement support, including support for children and teens. For more information: www.hospiceofhaines.org or (907) 766-3645.
Ketchikan Volunteer Hospice offers community bereavement services, including one-on-one peer support, as well as eight-week closed groups offered twice each year. Contact Tyler Pitts at (907) 228-7600.