Free Guide to Understanding GriefShare Groups

What GriefShare Groups Are and How They Work

GriefShare is a network of support groups designed for people who are working through grief after losing someone. The organization provides materials and structure for groups that meet in various locations, including churches, community centers, and funeral homes. These groups bring together people experiencing loss so they can share their feelings, learn about the grief process, and find comfort in knowing others understand what they are going through.

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The groups typically meet weekly for about 13 weeks, though some groups may continue longer or meet on different schedules. Each meeting usually lasts around 90 minutes and follows a structured format. Sessions typically include watching a video featuring grief experts and people sharing their personal loss experiences, discussing the video content in a group setting, and working through workbook materials that encourage reflection and personal exploration.

According to GriefShare's own data, the organization has groups meeting in all 50 states and in numerous countries worldwide. The organization reports that approximately 750,000 people have attended GriefShare groups since the program began. This wide availability means that many people have options for finding a group in their local area or online.

The groups are not therapy sessions, though they are therapeutic in nature. They are peer-support groups where participants learn alongside others rather than receiving professional mental health treatment. Some groups are led by trained volunteers, while others may be facilitated by counselors or clergy members. This distinction is important because group participants should understand that while the group provides connection and education about grief, it is not a substitute for individual counseling if someone needs clinical mental health support.

Practical takeaway: Understanding that GriefShare groups are structured peer-support meetings rather than therapy helps people decide whether this type of group matches what they are looking for as they process loss.

The Structure and Content of GriefShare Sessions

Each GriefShare session follows a consistent format that includes video content, group discussion, and individual workbook exercises. This structure provides both education about grief and opportunities for personal reflection and shared conversation. Knowing what to expect during a typical meeting can help someone decide if this format feels right for them.

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The video component of each session features grief counselors, psychologists, and other people sharing their experiences with loss. These videos are typically 20 to 30 minutes long and cover specific topics related to grief. Topics throughout a 13-week session cycle might include how grief affects the body and mind, dealing with anger and guilt, managing grief during holidays and special occasions, and rebuilding life after loss. The videos are designed to be informative but also emotionally honest, showing real people talking about real struggles.

After watching the video, groups spend time in guided discussion. A group facilitator or leader uses discussion questions to help people think about the video content and how it relates to their own experiences. This is the part of the meeting where people share if they choose to do so. Participation is voluntary, meaning no one is required to speak or share personal details. Some people talk extensively while others listen and occasionally contribute. Both approaches are accepted in GriefShare groups.

The workbook is another key element. Participants receive materials that include reflection questions, journaling prompts, and information sheets about grief-related topics. Some exercises in the workbook are completed during the meeting, while others are designed for people to work on at home between sessions. These workbooks allow for personal processing beyond what happens in group meetings. People can write privately about their feelings, their relationship with the person they lost, and their experiences moving forward.

Many GriefShare groups also include time for informal connection before or after the official meeting time. This might include sharing light refreshments, simple conversation, or exchanging contact information with other group members. These informal moments can be as valuable as the structured content for some people, as they create opportunities for one-on-one conversation and friendship building.

Practical takeaway: The combination of video education, guided discussion, and written reflection in GriefShare sessions means that people with different learning styles and comfort levels with sharing can all participate in ways that work for them.

Types of Loss GriefShare Groups Address

GriefShare groups welcome people grieving different types of loss. While the core curriculum applies broadly to grief after any death, the organization also offers specialized group sessions focused on specific losses. Understanding what types of groups are available can help someone find a group that feels most relevant to their situation.

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Standard GriefShare groups are open to anyone grieving the death of someone important to them. This might include the loss of a parent, spouse, child, sibling, friend, or other family member. The broad focus of these groups means that a single meeting might include someone who lost a parent years ago alongside someone who lost a spouse just weeks before. While the losses are different, the emotional experiences often overlap in ways that create meaningful connection.

Some GriefShare locations offer GriefShare DivorceCare groups, which address grief specifically related to divorce or relationship endings. This is an important distinction because grief following divorce includes unique elements. People may grieve both the loss of the relationship and the loss of a life they expected to live. They may also have ongoing contact with the person they lost (especially if children are involved), which creates a different grieving process than death.

GriefShare also offers GriefShare for kids, which are groups designed for children ages 5 through 12 who have experienced the death of someone important. These groups use child-appropriate materials and activities. Children often benefit from knowing other children facing similar losses, and these specialized groups provide that environment while using language and concepts kids can understand.

Some communities offer specialized groups focused on specific types of death loss, such as loss through suicide, loss of a child, loss of a spouse, or loss through sudden circumstances. These more specialized groups allow people to connect with others whose losses were similar in important ways. For example, a person grieving a child's death may find particular value in a group where everyone in the room has also lost a child, because other participants understand the unique aspects of that loss.

When researching GriefShare groups in a particular area, it is worth asking what types of groups are offered and what the current makeup of a group is. Some groups naturally attract certain demographics or types of losses based on where they meet and how they are promoted in the community. A person can make a more informed decision about whether to join if they understand who else will be in the group.

Practical takeaway: GriefShare offers multiple types of groups addressing different losses, so people can often find a group that relates specifically to their situation while also having the option to join a general grief group.

Finding and Joining a GriefShare Group Near You

Locating a GriefShare group in a local area involves using a few key resources. The main GriefShare website includes a group finder tool where people can search by zip code or city to see what groups are meeting in their region. This search tool shows meeting locations, days and times, group focus (if specialized), and contact information for group leaders. Using this search is the most straightforward way to find available options.

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When contacting a group, it is standard practice to reach out to the group leader or the organization where the group meets (such as a church or funeral home). They can provide more detailed information about what to expect, whether the group is currently accepting new members, and any logistics like where to park or which door to enter. Most groups welcome new members joining at any point in the cycle, though some may wait for a new 13-week session to begin.

Beyond the official GriefShare website, local funeral homes, churches, community centers, and hospice organizations often know about GriefShare groups in the area. These organizations may have referral information or even host groups themselves. Asking a counselor, therapist, or healthcare provider for recommendations about grief groups in the area might also turn up GriefShare options they are aware of.

For people in rural areas or those with scheduling challenges, some GriefShare groups now meet online. These virtual groups work much like in-person groups, with video content and group discussion happening through video conference technology. The main advantage is location flexibility, though the experience of community is somewhat different than meeting in person.

When first contacting a group, asking a few basic questions can help someone decide if that particular group is right for them. Questions might include: What is the group's schedule and how long do meetings last? Is there a cost? What materials will be needed? How many people typically attend? What is the experience level of the facilitator? Are there any ground rules about confidentiality? Can someone attend one meeting to see if it is a good fit before committing to the full series