The Compassionate Friends/USA

The Compassionate Friends/USA We are not a religion based organization.

The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family. The Compassionate Friends is the world's largest self-help bereavement organization, providing support to bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, and close family me

mbers who are going through the natural grieving process following the death of a child of any age (from pre-birth to adult) from any cause. Part of our mission is also to provide ...(more) information to help others be supportive and we welcome those to this site who are quietly trying to learn how to be supportive.

August 30th is both National Grief Awareness Day and International Bereaved Father's Day - an opportunity to recognize g...
08/30/2026

August 30th is both National Grief Awareness Day and International Bereaved Father's Day - an opportunity to recognize grief in all its forms and to remember fathers who are grieving the death of their child.

A grieving father may not always talk about his grief.

He may return to work.
He may take care of everyone else.
He may find it difficult to put his feelings into words.
He may laugh, smile, and carry on while missing his child every day.

None of these things mean he isn't grieving.

Today, we honor bereaved fathers and recognize that there is no single way to grieve.

If you know a bereaved father, reach out. Say his child's name. Listen to his story. Let him know you remember - and that he doesn't have to carry his grief alone.

The Compassionate Friends is here for bereaved families, including fathers, whenever they need support and understanding.

Have you registered for our Virtual Fall Retreat being held on October 24, 2026? This special gathering will include wor...
08/29/2026

Have you registered for our Virtual Fall Retreat being held on October 24, 2026? This special gathering will include workshop presentations on a variety of grief topics that have a Q&A opportunity at the end of each plus three keynote sessions. Whether you are newly bereaved or a more seasoned griever, a range of workshops will be offered on grief, loss, coping, and healing and will focus on support for bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents. We invite you to join us for an informative, caring, and supportive day from the comfort of your own home.
There is no registration fee to participate in our Virtual Fall Retreat. We want everyone in the TCF community to have the opportunity to gather, reflect, and find comfort, regardless of their ability to give.
If you are able, we invite you to make a donation to help support this retreat and the ongoing work of The Compassionate Friends. Suggested giving levels of $25, $50, $100 or $250, but a gift of any amount is deeply appreciated. Every contribution helps us continue creating meaningful opportunities for bereaved families to find connection, understanding, and support.
For more information and to register, visit: https://cvent.me/8AVd35

Do you have a will? August is National Make-a-Will Month - a great reminder that creating a will is important for everyo...
08/26/2026

Do you have a will?

August is National Make-a-Will Month - a great reminder that creating a will is important for everyone, no matter the size of your estate.

A will helps make sure your wishes are known and can give your loved ones greater clarity and peace of mind. And remember: a will isn't "set it and forget it." Live changes, and your will should too. Major life events are a good time to review and update it.

A will can also be a meaningful way to support the people and causes that matter most to you, including The Compassionate Friends. By including TCF in your estate plans, you can help ensure that grieving families continue to have access to hope, comfort and support for generations to come.

Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. adults don't have a will. Make this National Make-a-Will Month the month you take that important first step.

Your Legacy. Our Future.

Learn more at compassionatefriends.org/legacy.

A song comes on.You see someone that looks like them.You smell a familiar scent.You drive by their school.Or suddenly, y...
08/25/2026

A song comes on.
You see someone that looks like them.
You smell a familiar scent.
You drive by their school.
Or suddenly, you are crying in the grocery aisle.

These moments are normal. They mean you loved them deeply. Take a breath. Give yourself a moment. Let the feeling come without judging it.

08/24/2026

The death of a child, sibling, or grandchild is life-altering. Finding ways to experience meaning, maintain and establish relationships, and, at the same time, live with the intensity of grief can be overwhelming. This panel presentation, facilitated by Andy McNiel, will explore the many challenges we face after profound loss. We will discuss ideas for coping and consider ways we can continue to connect with life while also carrying and honoring our grief. Register to attend this discussion on Thursday, August 27th at 12:00 pm ET, https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_o1DQYR5VSIKZ7Wvro-fG0Q

"Shouldn't you be doing better by now?" If you've heard those words - or thought about them yourself - remember this:The...
08/23/2026

"Shouldn't you be doing better by now?"

If you've heard those words - or thought about them yourself - remember this:
There is no expiration date on grief.

Grief changes over time, but love doesn't disappear simply because time has passed.

A year. Five years. Twenty years.

You still miss them.

You still have difficult days.

You still need to talk about them.

And that's okay. Your grief is your own.

When a child dies, the entire family is changed - including the siblings.Siblings may grieve openly or quietly. They may...
08/22/2026

When a child dies, the entire family is changed - including the siblings.

Siblings may grieve openly or quietly. They may talk about their brother or sister constantly, or rarely mention them at all.

There is no single way to grieve the death of a sibling.

What matters is creating space for their grief and letting them know:
Your grief matters. Your feelings matter. Your sibling matters. And you are not alone.

Connect with other siblings online at tcfsibs.org.

Friends

When a child dies, people often want to help but may struggle with knowing what to say or do. Sometimes, even the most w...
08/21/2026

When a child dies, people often want to help but may struggle with knowing what to say or do. Sometimes, even the most well-intended words can leave a grieving parent feeling unseen or misunderstood. Based upon her grief experience, as well as supporting grieving mothers, Sharon will explore what it means to truly be a safe place for a grieving parent. Topics addressed in this webinar will include: compassionate listening, meaningful presence, remembering their child, and allowing grief to be expressed without judgment or the pressure to “move on.” Participants will leave better equipped to walk alongside grieving parents with greater compassion, understanding, and care. Register to attend this webinar on Friday, September 25th at 12:00 pm ET, https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jOgQNIsOQfi8P1loHkcyVg.

Presented by Sharon Leonard who is is the founder and president of Grief’s Light Outreach, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting mothers after the loss of a child. Following the death of her daughter, Ciara, Sharon turned her personal journey through grief into a mission of compassion, support, and hope for other grieving mothers. She is the author of "Ciara’s Light: Facing Tragedy with Forgiveness" and leads Circle of Light, a faith-centered support gathering for bereaved mothers. Through her writing, speaking, and outreach, Sharon encourages grieving families while helping others better understand how to walk alongside them with compassion.

Back-to-school season can bring complicated emotions for a grieving family. A parent may find themselves thinking about ...
08/20/2026

Back-to-school season can bring complicated emotions for a grieving family.

A parent may find themselves thinking about the grade their child would be entering this year.

A sibling may be starting a new grade without the brother or sister who once shared the excitement.

Back-to-school shopping no longer has the same meaning.

Milestones can bring joy and grief at the same time.

If you are finding this season difficult, visit our website to find a local chapter or online group and find a community that understands.

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Wixom, MI

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