The International Day of Families, held annually on May 15, celebrates families and promotes the importance of a healthy and well-balanced family. When a member of one’s family of origin dies, a family is forever changed; effective support can help them maintain their balance and promote health and healing. I have heard so many people lament that they don’t know how to help a grieving family. Today we give suggestions and resources for people supporting grieving families.

When supporting a family through a death loss the most important thing we can do is to be present to them and to honor their pain. Families do not expect us to take their pain away. We do not need have to have answers to life’s mysteries; however it is helpful when we join them in asking the big questions, not shying away nor fearing what we cannot know. A family can easily get lost in the chaos and disruption that often accompany a death and we can help families restore and maintain calm, simply by helping them maintain some regularity, especially with their daily routine.  It’s natural to want to fix things, to solve things, but what helps families to navigate the changes is the security that love provides.

In tribute to the grieving families Miles has served and in observance of the International Day of Families we offer grief resources for continued healing. Sometimes the best way for us to help grieving families is to connect them with effective community resources. These are reputable resources Mile’s often suggests.

Hope Lives Here - https://www.hlhgrief.org/home – Located in Holden this all volunteer group, offers in-person, specialized bereavement support groups.

The Children’s Room – Arlington, MA. https://childrensroom.org/ A bit of a ride, but excellent resources for grieving children.

Why My/Sherry’s House – Worcester, MA https://whyme.org/sherrys-house/  a wonderful support system for families who have lost a child to cancer.

Additional resources for families:

The Dougy Center  https://www.dougy.org/  focuses on grief support for children and families, providing a safe space for sharing experiences and offering education and training. 

The Compassionate Friends:  https://www.compassionatefriends.org/ offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings. They have a network of chapters nationwide. 

Bereaved Parents of the USA:  https://bereavedparentsusa.org/ Provides support, understanding, compassion, and hope to bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings, with support groups and resources to help navigate grief. 

GriefShare: https://www.griefshare.org/ offers support groups for individuals of all ages, whether they've experienced the loss of a spouse, child, parent, or other loved one. 

MISS Foundation: https://www.missfoundation.org/ offers counseling, advocacy, research, and education services to families experiencing the death of a child, including HOPE Mentors and online support. 

Coalition to Support Grieving Students:  https://grievingstudents.org/ This organization focuses on creating grief-sensitive schools and provides resources for teachers, administrators, and support staff. 

Center for Loss and Life Transition:  https://www.centerforloss.com/ This center offers trainings for service providers on bereavement care and resources for individuals grieving or helping others. 

Miles Funeral Home also provides four in-person educational seminars each year to support grievers. This Saturday, May 17^th we will explore how loss is an integral part of life and how we can use the skills we have developed in other losses to heal from death loss.  

You can learn more and register for the seminar here:

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