The Compassionate Friends
About 600 chapters offering peer support after the death of a child at any age.
Grief Support Loss of a Child
Support Groups for Parents Who Have Lost a Child
The death of a child, at any age and from any cause, is its own category of loss — and parents who carry it often say ordinary grief support wasn't built for them. The organizations below were: every one was founded by bereaved parents, and every group is made up of them.
That matters practically, not just symbolically. In these rooms nobody asks how old your child was before deciding how sad to be, nobody flinches at the story, and the person across from you has survived a version of the same year you're in.
Verified Networks
Where the real support is
Every organization here is national, established, and built around this specific loss. Formats and costs are listed so you know before you click.
Bereaved Parents of the USA
Chapter-based peer support for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings.
MISS Foundation
Support for families experiencing the death of a child, including counseling advocacy.
Helping Parents Heal
Peer groups with an open, spiritual orientation for parents after child loss.
Local & Verified
Dedicated local centers for this loss
Standout local organizations we’ve verified — each city guide has more, including every hospice grief program in that metro.
OUR HOUSE Grief Support Center — New York
The LA grief center's New York branch — peer support groups for children, teens, adults, and families, grouped by age and relationship to the person who died.
Bo's Place
Houston's bereavement center — free grief groups for children, families, and adults, in English and Spanish.
The Elizabeth Hospice
Counselor-led grief groups across San Diego County and on Zoom — including parent, child, and spouse loss groups — open to anyone, hospice connection or not.
Grief and Loss Center of North Texas
No-cost monthly virtual groups for adults grieving a child, spouse, or other loss, plus the in-person SAM's program for grieving kids and teens.
Cornerstone of Hope — Columbus
Structured 8–10 week grief groups led by trained facilitators — including spouse loss, loss of a child, suicide loss, and young-adult groups.
KinderMourn
Charlotte's home for bereaved parents and grieving children and teens — support groups, counseling, and community education.
Riley Grief Services
Free individual and family counseling, groups, and workshops for parents, siblings, and family after the death of a child — with virtual options.
Hope Church Grief Support
GriefShare sessions, a monthly Compassionate Friends group for bereaved parents, and other loss support — in person and on Zoom, open to all.
Children's Wisconsin Grief Support
Free counseling and monthly groups for bereaved parents, young adults, and kids 5–18 with their caregivers, plus family grief retreats.
Bereaved Together
A New Berlin nonprofit walking with mothers after the death of a child — monthly wellness gatherings, workshops, and an annual conference.
Before Your First Meeting
What these groups are actually like
Chapters typically meet monthly, in person, with open peer sharing rather than a curriculum. Grandparents and adult siblings are welcome at most of them. Meetings are heavier than other grief groups and also warmer — long-timers come back for years specifically to sit with the newly bereaved.
Many parents attend their first meeting unable to say their child's name aloud, and describe hearing other parents say theirs — easily, often, with love — as the turning point.
Finding one near you: beyond the networks above, your local hospice is required to offer bereavement support and most run free community grief groups — call and ask for the bereavement coordinator. More on that here.
Want this list in your inbox?
One email with every network on this page, plus a short guide to choosing a group. No newsletter, no follow-ups — just the list, to read when you’re ready.
Questions
What families ask
My child was an adult. Do these groups still apply?
Yes. The Compassionate Friends and Bereaved Parents of the USA both serve parents whose children died at any age, including mid-life. The grief of losing a 45-year-old son is child loss; you belong there.
My child died by suicide or overdose. Will I be judged?
These organizations are explicit that all causes of death belong. Many chapters run cause-specific meetings (suicide loss, overdose, sudden death) precisely so parents can speak without editing. If it's a concern, the suicide-loss networks on our suicide loss page are also built for you.
Can my other children get support too?
Yes — sibling grief is real and often overlooked. The Compassionate Friends has sibling programs, and the children's grief centers listed on our children & teens page specialize in supporting grieving kids.
While You’re Here
Free tools, if they’d help
Made for the same reason this directory exists. No account, no charge.
Other Losses
Loss of a Spouse or PartnerPregnancy & Infant LossPet LossSuicide LossMilitary & Veteran LossChildren & TeensLoss of a Parent
By CityNew York, NYLos Angeles, CAChicago, ILHouston, TXPhoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PASan Antonio, TXSan Diego, CADallas, TXAustin, TXJacksonville, FLColumbus, OHCharlotte, NCIndianapolis, INSeattle, WADenver, COWashington, DCBoston, MANashville, TNDetroit, MIPortland, ORLas Vegas, NVMemphis, TNBaltimore, MDMilwaukee, WIMinneapolis, MNAtlanta, GAMiami, FLTampa, FLSt. Louis, MO
Their life was real, whole, and worth honoring
Some bereaved parents commission a painting built from their memories of their child — not how it ended, but who they were. Made slowly, in conversation with you.