Bereavement groups come in many different forms but their main purpose is to provide people who have lost a loved one with a place to go and meet with others who are going through the same thing.
None of us want to be in the position of needing to attend a bereavement group. But if you find yourself needing support after the death of a loved one, bereavement support groups are a massive source of comfort to people of all ages, and something that everyone should consider.
You might not want to talk about your loved one or your feelings at all. But that’s ok. There’s no strict rule to say that you have to act a certain way at the groups. In fact, many groups focus on an activity rather than talking. For example, in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Rachel Maughan set up creative writing workshops as a way of bringing bereaved people together. The sessions have been a great success, providing the attendees with a lot of laughter and also provoking some deeper thought.
Other groups try to make each week different by asking for guest speakers, or crafts people to come and teach members a new skill. Some have also arranged for day trips, such as the Honeysuckle Bereavement Group in Port Tenant, which took their members to the local beach where they enjoyed a walk on the beach and dipped a toe in the sea!
If you're thinking of joining a group, or know someone who might benefit from joining one, we'd encourage you to give it a try.
If you’d like more information on bereavement support in your area, please get in touch with your local funeral home.
