Grief Support

When you’re affected by a loss, lean on Essentia Health for support, resources, understanding, and hope.

When to Seek Support

Reach out to the specialists at Essentia when you need help coping with the changes brought on by loss. Find help and support at any point in your journey.

Conditions Treated

See the full list of conditions we treat, and select a condition to find providers and locations near you.

Conditions

Grief & Bereavement Support Services

Count on us to help you:

  • Learn about bereavement, the period of grief and mourning after a death
  • Process your feelings
  • Gain resilience
  • Identify healthy ways of coping
  • Find hope and support

Take advantage of our collection of online grief and bereavement resources wherever you are, whenever you need them. Or keep reading to learn about in-person grief support services near you.

Watch the video - Grief Support: Supporting a Grieving Person

View video transcript Listen to audio description (MP3)

Grief Support: Supporting a Grieving Person Video Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

(DESCRIPTION)
The Essentia Health logo appears, consisting of three leaves in a circle. Gina Dixon, L-P, Grief Support Services

(SPEECH)
GINA DIXON: I think the best thing people can do if they know someone who is grieving is show up. You know, we can feel so inadequate not knowing what to say or do, and grief can be such a lonely experience that showing up and listening, using the name of the person who died, allowing them the opportunity to tell stories-- whether the grief is fresh or happened many years ago, that can make such a difference in the grieving person not feeling so alone. And you know, if the grief is fresh, just helping out in practical ways. Shoveling their driveway or offering to help run errands can make a difference with-- you know, the grieving person may be feeling really exhausted, and so those small things can make a difference over time.

Northeast Minnesota & Northwest Wisconsin

Trust the Grief Support professionals at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minnesota for a wide range of programs and services, including:

  • Virtual Counseling for children, teens and adults impacted by a life-threatening illness or death of a friend, co-worker, patient, or family member, or other non-death losses and adjustment concerns. Please call 218-786-1255 to schedule an appointment.
  • Grief support groups for adults, teens, and children
    • Ongoing Monthly Virtual Grief Support Groups for adults at no charge. Due to Covid social distancing guidelines, all Essentia Health Grief Support Services groups will be offered virtually at this time.
      The virtual support groups offered are not therapy groups, but focus on sharing and helping each other during times of loss. Please call 218-786-4402 for more information or email griefcenter@essentiahealth.org.
    • Learn more or register for a support group.
  • Regional referral and support network dealing with grief and loss. Please email griefcenter@essentiahealth.org if you would like to receive a free quarterly Grief Notes newsletter by email.
  • Grief support resources and library with hundreds of books, journals, videos, and recordings
  • Crisis response for schools through the School Crisis Response Team.
  • Speaking, consulting, and training services regarding grief and trauma issues for professionals and the community.

To get education materials and referrals to qualified grief support professionals in the Northeast Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin area, call Grief Support at 218-786-4402.

Central Minnesota

To get educational materials and referrals to qualified grief support professionals in the Brainerd Lakes Area, call Grief Support at 218-828-7442. Connect with others coping with loss by attending a free grief support group at Essentia Health-St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd, Minnesota. Grief groups meet weekly for seven weeks, three times a year.

Eastern North Dakota & Western Minnesota

Ask your primary care provider or our spiritual care team to help you connect with resources in or near your community. Or, learn about grief support services at Hospice of the Red River Valley in Fargo, North Dakota.

Grief Support Education & Training

Help your school, organization, or community group learn how to recognize and respond to grief, loss, and trauma. Learn about our speaking, training, and consulting services.

Make an Appointment

Call the Essentia Health 24/7 Substance Use Disorder Referral Line at 833-677-1262.

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