Local and National Group Grief Support Groups

This support list is provided courtesy of Erlewein Mortuary in Greenfield and Fortville and is updated at least annually.

This section includes the following categories (scroll down to view each):

1. Local Grief Support Organizations

• Adult Grief Support
• Children & Teens

2. National Grief Support Organizations

LOCAL GRIEF SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Adult Grief Support

Hancock County Widow To Widow Group For Widows, Widowers, Care Givers, and Bereaved Persons
Social outings bi-monthly. Day and evening outings offered. Call Holly Johnson @ (317) 467-4918 for schedule of events. Hosted by Erlewein Mortuary.

Comfort & Hope Grief Recovery
Supports bereaved parents and grandparents, who have lost a child or grandchild. Relaxed, informal setting. Meets the fourth Monday of every month (meets on Tuesday, if Monday is a holiday), 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Brandywine Community Church, 1551 E. New Rd., Greenfield. Light refreshments. Contact Shirley Watson at (317) 498-6717 or Tricia Glenn @ (317) 462-7283.

Grief Support Group
St. Michael’s of Greenfield. Contact Carrie @ (317) 462-4240 for more information.

Hancock Memorial Hospital and Health Service
Meets at Greenfield Christian Church the second Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. Contact Chaplain Pastoral Care @ 317-468-4500.

Grief Support
General grief support led by a Methodist Hospital chaplain. Various locations and times. No fee. Contact Dick Bailey @ 317-962-8497.

Bereavement Support Group - CJ & Associates
Private grief counseling on a sliding fee scale. Located on northside of Indianapolis. Contact Christine Jakacky, MSW @ 317-594-9018.

Gallahue Mental Health Services
Group and individual therapy available. Medicaid and Medicare approved. A sliding fee scale is available based on income and dependents. Call 317-462-1481. 24 hour Crisis and Referral Line 1-800-662-3445.

Community Home Health Services
Provides a six (6) week support group for adults each quarter of the year. Also offers other grief support groups throughout the year. Locations vary. 1-800-404-4852

Grief 102
A monthly support group meeting for general grief support. Call 1-800-404-4852.

Road To Healing - St. Vincent Hospice
Open to anyone, no fee, several locations. Please register to attend. Call 317-338-4040.

Daughter’s Grief- St. Vincent Hospice
Grief support specifically for women who have lost their mother to death. No fee, but please register to attend. Call 317-338-4040.

Safe Haven - St. Vincent Hospital
A multi-session support group for parents who have lost a child. Held at various times. Call 317-338-4040.

Lunch Bunch - St. Vincent Hospice
A lunch social event for widows and widowers. Call 317-338-4040.

Widows and Widowers - St. Vincent Hospice
A lunch social event for widows and widowers. Call 317-338-4040.

Grief Support - St. Francis Hospice
South side location. Open to anyone, no fee. Call 317-865-2092.

Grief Support - Clarian Health Hospice
Open to anyone, no fee. Various Locations and times. Contact: Lori Mercer at 317-962-0775.

Bereavement Support Group - Madison County
Meets at Bethany Christian Church the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in their "Friendship Room". Open to anyone, no charge. Call 765-643-5713.

Open Arms
Offers monthly support group for families who have experienced stillbirth, miscarriage, or newborn death. Call 317-621-5275.

Survivors of Suicide Victims Support Group
Provides monthly support for family members and others who have lost someone by suicide. Eastside of Indianapolis location. Call 317-887-7169.

Survivors of Violent Death Support Group
Support group for families, close friends, and other survivors of a loved one who died as a result of violence. Also has children’s support groups at the same time. Meets twice monthly at Legacy House. Call 317-554-5272.

Robbery / Trauma - Victim Support
Support group meets on 1st Tuesday of the month at Legacy House. Call 317-554-5272.

Grandparents Support Group
Support group for grandparents who have lost a grandchild as a result of violence or traumatic event. Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month at Legacy House. Call 317-554-5272.

Good Grief Group
General grief support encompassing all kinds of grief. Meets at Legacy House. Call 317-554-5272.

Heartland Hospice- Bereavement Support Groups
Bereavement support groups meeting at various times during the day. No registration required. Walk-ins welcome. Call Kelly (317) 251-3012 or 1 (800) 558-6928.

St. Luke's United Methodist Church
Many different grief support groups including spousal loss, parental loss, and infant loss. Free and open to anyone. Contact Marsha at 317-846-3404 for information or www.stlukeumc.org

Children & Teens

Compassionate Friends
The mission of The Compassionate Friends is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child of any age and to provide information to help others be supportive.
www.compassionatefriends.org

Caterpillar Kids
Sponsored by St. Francis Home Health & Hospice. Grief group designed for school age children and teens. Held two (2) times a year, six (6) week sessions. Contact Katrina Courchaine or Susan Hanscom @ 317-865-2092.

Legacy House
Free support group for children under age 18 who have experienced a traumatic event such as the violent loss of a loved one due to homicide or attempted homicide. Contact Legacy House @ 317-554-5272.

Camp Healing Tree
(Indianapolis) A weekend camp, usually held the last weekend in August each year. The camp is for grieving children and teens ages 7 - 17. No fee, sponsored by local area hospices. The camp provides a safe environment where participants may speak openly about their grief during group discussions led by trained facilitators. Although the camp focuses on grief, the environment strives to be upbeat. Campers may enjoy swimming, arts and crafts, drama, games, campfire, sing-alongs, and other fun activities. Contact: Neil Shafer: 1-800-404-4852.

Camp Hope - Madison County
Two day camp usually held in August for grieving children in Madison County. Children’s program also available at various times throughout the year. Contact St. John’s Hospice for information @ 765-646-8334.

NATIONAL GRIEF SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS

Widowed Persons Services - AARP
Grief assistance for widow and widowers. Support for changes in housing, family relationships, unfamiliar financial and legal matters. www.aarp.org Call 888-687-2277 or 1-888-OUR-AARP

AGAST - Alliance of Grandparents - A Support in Tragedy
Packet provided that helps grieving grandparents and gives information on how to help their children (the parents). Peer contact and support groups. Newsletters are sent 4 - 6 times annually. www.agast.org Call 888-774-7437.

Dougy Center
The center works with thousands of children, teens, and their families who have experienced the death of a parent, adult caregiver, sibling, or teen friend. Provides support in a safe place where families who are grieving a death can share their experience as they move through their healing process.www.dougy.org Call 503-775-5683.

NAMES Project Foundation
Organization dedicated to helping people with AIDS and their family members. Newsletter available. www.aidsquilt.org Call 404-688-5500.

Parents Without Partners
International, educational organization devoted to the interests of single parents and their children. Local chapters concerned with educational activities, family activities, and adult social/recreational activities. www.parentswithoutpartners.org Call 800-637-7974.

National Sudden Infant Death Support
Provides information, literature and support to parents who have lost children to SIDS or SIDS related symptoms. www.sidsalience.org and/or prevent@sids.org Call 800-221-SIDS or 800-232-SIDS

Suicide Prevention and Survivor Support
Volunteers to help a person considering suicide or for persons who have lost a friend or relative to suicide. Operate a 24-hour telephone service. www.afsp.org or www.save.org or rayofhopeinc@juno.com 1-800-252 -TEEN or 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-617-536-2460.

National Victims Resource Center (NCJRS)
Justice Dept. provides access to highly trained criminal justice reference specialist who can help family members find answers to specific legal questions as the result of a violent crime. Free publications. 800-627-6872.

Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Provided support, resources and education on miscarriage, stillbirth and infant deaths. www.pilc.org or www.nationalshareoffice.com Call 800-821-6819.

TAPS - Grief Camp For Young Military Survivors & Adult Seminars
National military survivor seminar and good grief camp for young survivors. For children of all ages who have lost a parent in the armed forces. Seminars are available for adults and children. www.taps.org Call 1-800-959-TAPS.