Helpful Links

It is not uncommon for people to have difficulty readjusting to life after the death of a loved one. There are bereavement support groups in our community to offer assistance for grieving individuals. Sharing your feelings of grief or anxiety is among the first steps to take toward adjustment to life after your loss.


For your convenience, here is a partial list of area support groups and services:


GriefCare Line

A 24-hour telephone grief counseling service designed exclusively for our families. It is staffed by trained, compassionate counselors with a required college degree in Human Services. All calls remain completely confidential. Visit our GriefCare Line to learn more.

Hospice of Mercy Bereavement Program

www.mercycare.org/services/hospice/support/
(319) 398-6735
Monthly support groups are offered free of charge and carried out by Hospice staff and dedicated Hospice volunteers. Everyone is welcome and pre-registration is appreciated. The following groups meet at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Avenue, Hiawatha.

Support Group Information:

Morning Support Group

**Meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 9:30–10:30 AM.**

Evening Support Group

**Meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 5:30–7:30 PM.**

Foundation 2 Crisis Services’ Suicide Survivors’ Support Group

This group offers support for any adult (ages 18+) who has lost a loved one through suicide. There is no fee for attending. The group meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. Location varies. For more information, call 319-362-2174. www.Foundation2.org

Heartprints

For parents who have lost a baby to death. Offers one-to-one counseling and information. Contact Coordinators, Kassia Fultz or Deb Sheldon at (319) 398-6332 for more information. Sponsored by Mercy Medical Center.

Empty Arms Support Group

For parents with infant or pregnancy loss, or infertility. Sponsored by St. Luke's Hospital. For more information call (319) 369-7347.
**Meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at the St. Luke's Resource Center.**

Parents Living with Loss

For all parents who have lost a child. For more information contact Jim Coyle at (319) 393-8000

**Meets the 1st Sunday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Family Center and Library.**

LADOS (Life After the Death of a Spouse)

Local group for widows and widowers. For more information, contact Bonnie Fritz at (319) 396-4968.
**Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2:00 PM at St. Mark's Faith and Life Center, 8300 C Avenue NE, Marion.**

GriefShare

Several local churches provide GriefShare classes. GriefShare is a 13-week series where a variety of death loss topics are covered from a faith-based perspective. Search the website for current locations or call the bereavement office for more information.
www.griefshare.org
(319) 398-6735

Next Steps

Next Steps is a topic-driven support group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Registration is needed the Friday before each month's group by calling (319) 369-7744.
**Meets the fourth Tuesday of every other month from 6:00–7:00 PM.**

Horizons Survivors Program Support Group

A facilitated support group open to any family or friends who are survivors of a vehicular homicide, homicide or felony death. Groups are free and confidential and is supported by the Victim of Crime Act Funding through the State of Iowa. Contact person: BJ Franklin
**Meets 2nd Tuesday of every month from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in Room C, Swartz Center at St. Luke's Hospital.**
www.horizonsfamily.org
(319) 398-3943

Iowa Hospice

Bereavement programs and workshops meet at 6:30 p.m. at the Iowa Hospice Office, 1245 1st Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids (unless otherwise noted). Call for current programs and workshops. Contact Person: Wyatt Dagit, Mdiv. Bereavement Coordinator
www.Iowa-Hospice.com
(319) 363-0454

St. Luke's Hospice

www.stlukescr.org/hospice
(319) 369-7744

St. Luke's Hospice Grief Resource Library

The Grief Resource Library is located at the St. Luke's Hospice office at 290 Blairs Ferry Road NE, Suite 100, Cedar Rapids and offers a variety of information, including books, videos, CDs and DVDs for all age groups. The library is open from 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Grief Journey

The Grief Journey is an eight week support group for adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one. This group, sponsored by St. Luke's Hospice, provides curriculum-based education about the grief process in a safe setting surrounded by others who are experiencing the grief process. All materials are provided to attendees. Registration is needed one week prior to the beginning of the session. Register by calling (319) 369-7744.

Camp Embracing Memories

A free and unique overnight camp for children who are between the ages of 7 and 16 and are coping with the death of a loved one. Designed to help children effectively cope with loss in a safe, accepting environment, activities focus on the grieving process, encouraging interaction with others who have experienced similar losses. Trained Hospice staff and volunteers provide education and support to enhance coping skills and abilities, while still allowing children to feel connected to the loved one who died. Sponsored by St. Luke's and Cedar Memorial. To learn more call St. Luke's Hospice at (319) 369-7744.







Web-Based Resources


Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D.
Click on "Someone I love has died" for free articles for mourners. It provides specific information on coping with the death of a child, parent, spouse or others.
www.centerforloss.com

Hospice Foundation of America
Scroll down and click on "Understanding Grief" for a 20 minute webinar on grief basics.
www.hospicefoundation.org/educate-yourself

GriefNet
A non-profit, online bereavement support group.
www.griefnet.org

Grieving as a Family
Great information for families and children.
https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/topics/grief/

American Association of Retired Persons
www.aarp.org/relationships/grief-loss

AARP Grief & Loss
http://www.aarp.org

American SIDS Institute
http://www.sids.org

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
http://www.afsp.org

The Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
http://www.candlelighters.org

Compassionate Friends
http://www.compassionatefriends.org

Mothers Against Drunk Driving
http://www.madd.org

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)
http://www.taps.org