Grief Support Group – Do I Need One?

by Chaplain Julia Rajtar, MAPS, BCC

“It’s been four years since Tim died, and a day doesn’t go by when I don’t think of him,” Susie said of her husband.   “Mom died last year and I find I need to talk about her every day while most people don’t want to listen anymore,” Cathy said.    Joe said, “my son died suddenly and very unexpectedly 2 years ago.  Most people don’t mention his name to me because they know it will hurt, but not mentioning his name hurts even more.”

Should these people attend a grief support group?  It can be helpful and a group is not right for everyone.  Consider some of the reasons an individual might seek a group…  to decrease loneliness and isolation, to receive information/education about how grief affects us, to create a network of social support.  Years ago the family and community was the primary model for these supports. As the world has changed so has the ability to provide support to each other, at least in person.

Grief is natural and normal after the death of a person we loved or cared about.  There are a variety of grief support groups available, in-person and on-line.  Some groups are ongoing, while others have a definite start and ending point.  Most groups allow for an opportunity to address your thoughts, feelings and behaviors related to grief.  If you begin a group and feel it’s not right for you at this time, you do not need to continue.  Not everyone benefits from a grief group and not everyone needs one.  If it’s right for you consider joining Bakken-Young’s Grief Support group held in person (please wear a mask for in person groups at this time).  If someone says, “you should join a grief group,” and something inside you rebels, that is ok too.  Listen to yourself.  You know what you need right now.

Grief Support Groups

Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services sponsors a six-week grief support group for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one.  Choose either an in-person or a virtual group.  Please wear a mask for the in-person groups.

Grief Group Held in New Richmond

Mondays, 6:00-7:00pm

Sept 13, 20, 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 2021

at New Richmond United Methodist Church, 209 E Second Street, New Richmond, WI 54017

Grief Group Held in River Falls

Mondays, 6:00-7:00pm

Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Dec 6, 2021

at St. Bridget Catholic Church, 211 East Division Street, River Falls, WI 54022

RSVP by Oct 29, name, phone number and email.

Virtual Grief Support Group (Zoom meetings)

Tuesdays, 6:00-7:00pm

Oct. 19, 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2021 .

RSVP by Oct. 15, with name, phone number & email.

RSVP for our Grief Support activities to: Julia Rajtar, Grief Support Coordinator, text or call 715-781-4003 or email julia.rajtar@bakken-young.com.   Visit the Grief Support tab for more information about events, calendar, and resources  www.bakken-young.com.  Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services

info@bakken-young.com New Richmond 715-243-5252, River Falls 715-425-8788.