Grief and Bereavement Resources

Support for those experiencing the loss of a loved one

Grief can stick with us. Feelings of loss do not appear or resolve on a set schedule. It can be hard to know what will help you to feel comfort. Below you will find information and resources to help you along the grieving process.

Grief support groups

Meet with a grief counselor and others who have recently experienced a loss.

See support groups

Pregnancy and infant loss support

Discover resources for your journey towards peace and healing.

Learn more

Navigating the process after losing a loved one

Take the time you need

Select a funeral home

Call Parkview Chaplaincy when you have decided on a funeral home

What about funeral expenses?

What about the death certificate?

Finding a funeral home through Parting.com

As chaplains, we can’t recommend individual funeral homes. However, we can point you to Parting.com, a website that helps people find funeral homes in their area and compare services and prices.

When you go to Parting.com:

You will be asked for the ZIP code where you want the funeral home to be located. You will be asked a few questions regarding burial/cremation, and the kind of gatherings you will want the funeral home to provide.
Please note: Some funeral homes are not in the ZIP code, but because they have paid for a listing, they will show up near the top. Be sure to check on the location of the funeral home.
You will see a list of the funeral homes in the area, along with estimated prices.
Please note: Please call for the actual costs. These are not guaranteed prices, they are estimates from the website of the funeral home. However, they give you a starting point for your conversations.

When you have reached a decision about the funeral home, please have the next-of-kin call Parkview Chaplaincy at 260-266-1457. We will update paperwork and Parkview Public Safety will contact the funeral home.

Having these steps may help make things clearer, but we understand this is a difficult process. If you have questions, call Parkview Chaplaincy at 260-266-1457.

Ways to manage stress while grieving

Early on

Make no final decisions about anything that can be postponed at least six months, such as moving or changing jobs.
Ask for help with daily things like child care, shopping, laundry, phone calls.
Feel. Do not be afraid of your feelings. They are part of resolving your grief.
Talk about the person and what happened.
Eat properly. If you have lost your appetite, keep trying to eat. Avoid excess caffeine, alcohol and sugar.
Sleep when you want to. Practice relaxation techniques. If you cannot sleep, tire yourself with exercise.
Pray or meditate if you can. If you are afraid to express anger, try reading books aimed to help you cope with feelings of despair.

Later

Simplify your life. Only do what must be done.
Eat properly.
Exercise often.
Plan time to talk with your friends and family about what happened. Also allow times to not talk about it.
Forgive yourself over and over, for the past, for anything you regret.
Allow all of the family time to grieve. Each member will need to grieve in his/her own way.
Be honest. Let people know how you are. Do not be rushed to “get over it” before you can. However, do not blame others for not really understanding.

Still later

Establish new rituals in your daily patterns, in your family and on holidays and special occasions to fill the empty spots and recall happy memories.
Let yourself laugh. You do not need to live in pain forever to remember or love the one who died.
Allow yourself to be okay. Force yourself to allow moments when you feel you are getting closer to acceptance.
Tackle a project. Find a cause, charity or task to devote your energy to. This can be a way to make the death of your loved one have some personal meaning for you.
Love your family and love yourself.
Continue to pray.

Grief support groups for family and friends

Support groups have been proven to help those in grief. Parkview’s Grief Support Groups are welcoming, supportive environments led by thoughtful, educated and caring professionals.

Mark your calendar today and plan to join one of these groups in Fort Wayne or Huntington. No registration required.

For more information, call Parkview Chaplaincy Services at 260-266-1470.

View grief support groups

Bereavement book guide

The following is a list of books dealing with grief and the journey that is part of your life since someone you love has died. These books are highly recommended by our staff.

A Look in the Mirror Centering Corporation
A Pilgrimage Through Grief James E. Miller
A Grief Observed C.S. Lewis
God is a Birdwatcher Linda Musser
Good Grief Granger E. Westburg
Healing after Loss: Daily Meditations for Working through Grief Martha W. Hickman
How to Survive the Loss of a Love Melba Colgrove, Ph.D., Harold H. Bloomfi eld, Ph.D. and Peter McWilliams
Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing your Soul Melody Beattie
Motherless Daughters: The Legacy of Loss Hope Edelman
Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation on Dying and Caring Henri Nouwen
Remembering with Love: Messages of Hope for the First Year of Grieving and Beyond Elizabeth Levang, Ph.D. and Sherokee Ilse
Tear Soup Pat Schwiebert and Chuck DeKlyen
The Grief Recovery Handbook: A step-by-step program for moving beyond loss John W. James and Frank Cherry
The Kid’s Book about Death and Dying Eric Rofes
What’s Heaven Maria Shriver
What Will Help Me James E. Miller
When Bad Things Happen to Good People Rabbi Harold S. Kushner
Winter Grief–Summer Grace James E. Miller

Professional counseling and support

Locate professional counseling services to best fit your needs.

Learn more

Parkview chaplaincy services

Find spiritual and emotional support at Parkview.

Learn more