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Grief Support

Hitzeman Funeral Home is proud to serve our community.  In the past we have hosted Grief Support Gatherings.

We know how losing a loved one affects the core of each family. Whether the passing is sudden or after a long battle with illness, each soul has a story. And everyone has their own way of coping with such a loss; sometimes, we don’t know how to start finding a way through the fog of emotions and despair.

After the death of a loved one we can experience a wide range of emotions. To help us manage, by default, we generally rely on family and friends. While family and friends are important, they may not always be equipped to provide what you need. This is when other resources available to grievers can be valuable. However, if you don’t know they exist, you won’t be able to utilize them.

Local Resources

  • Begin Within
    Counseling & Coaching Services
    Addie Anderson LCPC Founder & CEO
    115 N. Marion Street, Suite 5
    Oak Park, IL 60301
    Call     708-870-6255 for more information or schedule an appointment
    Website:     therapyoakpark.net/grieg
  • Grief Share
    Christ Church – Oak Brook
    501 Oak Brook Road
    Oak Brook, IL 60523
    Call     630-321-3936 for more information
    Registration fees may apply.
    Register online at:
    christchurch.us/supportgroups

There is a sacredness in tears.
They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.
They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.
They are the messengers of overwhelming grief…and unspeakable love.

-Washington Irving

Websites and Blogs

  • The Dougy Center – The Dougy Center provides support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences. The Dougy Center has several support groups in Illinois.
  • Grief Share – Find support groups or events near you. You can also sign up for “A Season of Grief” daily affirmations via email.
  • Hospice of the Valley – Offers various articles on grief and loss as well as grief resources for teens
  • What’s Your Grief? – A website made by a counselor and social work with lots of information and grief resources
  • Open to Hope – A non-profit which offers resources for many various types of loss and grief.
  • Grieving.com – Online bereavement forums for all different types of loss.
  • Return to Zero: HOPE – Retreats, resources and information for those dealing with pregnancy and infancy loss.
  • The Compassionate Friends – Offers support to families after the loss of a child. Has over 600 Chapters across the U.S., including one in Brookfield.
  • MISS Foundation – Mothers in Sympathy and Support offers counseling, advocacy and education for families experiencing the death of a child.
  • Grief Healing Blog – Useful information on care-giving, grief and transition for anyone coping with loss.
  • Grief in Common – An online community designed to connect individuals who are grieving for messaging and opportunities to meet in person.
  • The Grief Help Blog – Articles by various professionals to help you cope with bereavement and loss.

Books

Workshops, Courses and Interactive Resources

  • Refuge in Grief – A 30 day writing course with prompts each day to explore different aspects of your grief.

Podcasts

  • Good Grief with Cheryl Jones – Explores losses that define our lives by talking with people who have transformed themselves through the profound act of grieving.
  • Dealing With My Grief – A blog and podcast started by Darwyn Dave as a way to discuss how he has been coping with grief and bereavement since his father died in 1978.
  • NPR – Stories about grief.

Ted Talks about Grief

Grief Journals