For information on our children's program, Erlewein Adventures (formerly Widow to Widow), Family Follow Up program, or Lending Library, please click here.

The Pain of Grief

Experiencing the pain of grief includes the literal physical pain that many people experience and the emotional and behavioral pain associated with loss. It is necessary to acknowledge and work through this pain or it may manifest itself through some symptom or other form of aberrant behavior.

Local and National Grief Support Organizations

Being able to identify the common reactions lets you know that the feelings you are having are considered normal for people in grief. However, identifying and coping with these reactions can be extremely difficult.

Please call us  at (317)467-4918 or (317)485-5138 for more information regarding the following support groups and bereavement counselors. Sometimes just knowing there is someone to talk to can relieve some of the emotional, physical, and behavioral reactions.

This support list is provided courtesy of Erlewein Mortuaries 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 @ 467-4918 for schedule of events and/or to receive  the newsletter.  Hosted by Erlewein Mortuaries.

Grief Support Group

St. Michael’s of Greenfield.  Contact Carrie @ 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 Indpls.  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 dependants.  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.  Call 317-338-4040.

Daughter’s Grief- St. Vincent Hospice

Grief support specifically for women who have lost their mother to death.  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.

Understanding Grief- St. Vincent Hospice

 A General Grief Support Group.  Call 317-338-4040.

Grief Support - St. Francis Hospice

South side location.  Open to anyone, no fee.  Call 317-865-2092.

Grief Support - Ruth Lilly Hospice of Clarian at Methodist Hospital

Open to anyone, no fee.  Various Locations and times.  Call 317-962-0775.

Bereavement Support Group - Madison County

Meets at Bethany Christian Church the second Thursday of each month.  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 Indpls location.  Call 317-621-5269.

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 on eastside of Indpls.  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.

 Children & Teens

 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.

Kaleidoscope Kids – Clarion Hospice Bereavement              

An eight (8) week group for children ages 5 -12 who have experienced the loss of a significant person.  Contact Lori Mercer @ 317-962-0775.

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.