Grief Support
Common Grief Responses
Grief is a natural, normal, and healthy response to loss. When a loved one dies, nothing feels quite the same anymore. You may wonder if what you’re thinking, or feeling is normal. No two people grieve in quite the same way, yet you may be surprised to discover many commonalities and to know you are not alone.
- I feel numb
- I become tearful or cry unexpectedly
- I haven’t cried
- I’m having difficulty sleeping, and I feel exhausted
- It’s hard to believe my loved one died; sometimes it doesn’t feel quite real
- I’m having trouble focusing or concentrating
- I have feelings of relief
- I feel angry
- There are things I regret
- I talk to my loved one
- I wonder where my loved one is, and if they are all right
- Sometimes I don’t feel like being around other people
- I’m afraid to be alone
- I keep thinking about my loved one who died, and the events leading up to their death
- Sometimes I stop thinking about my loved one, and then I feel guilty
Did You Know...
Grief is dynamic and changes over time. Your grief will be influenced by the relationship you had with your loved one who died, by your family, your community, and other sociocultural factors. Try not to compare your grief to anyone else’s, not even to those who are very close to you.
There is no “right” or “wrong” way to grieve. While seeking support from others, it is important to trust yourself and your own experience of loss. Choose your own healthy path to mourn your loss, rather than doing what others tell you to do, or not to do.
Snowline recognizes the unique, dynamic, and often complex nature of grief. We are here to help you better understand your grief and support you on your unique journey to adjust to the death of your loved one.
Click here to make an online donation in memory of your loved one.
Grief Support Groups
Snowline supports grieving adults, children, teens, and families. We offer programs for schools and community-based organizations, as well. We serve the Sacramento, South Placer, and El Dorado regions, regardless of affiliation with Snowline. There is no fee for services. Please call 530-621-7820 or 916-817-2338
for more information or to register for a group.
Adults – General Loss
A drop-in support group for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Call to pre-register, and then attend when it is convenient.
- Sacramento In-Person 1st and 3rd Mondays from 10:30am-12:00pm: Snowline, 100 Howe Ave. Suite 240N Sacramento, CA 95619
- Diamond Springs In-Person 2nd and 4th Mondays from 10:30am-12:00pm: Snowline, 6520 Pleasant Valley Rd. Diamond Springs, CA 95619
- Virtual (Zoom) Group 2nd and 4th Mondays from 10:30am-12:00pm
Please register for these groups by contacting us by email at Grief@snowlinehospice.org or calling 530-621-7820 or 916-817-2338.
Additional Offerings:
- Loss of a Spouse/Partner:
- A support group for those who are grieving the death of a spouse/partner.
- Loss of a Parent:
- A support group for adults who are grieving the death of a parent. The group meets once a week for 8 consecutive weeks.
- Grief Journeys:
- Small groups come together to explore local pathways and trails with a grief specialist/outdoor enthusiast. A relaxed opportunity to get out into open spaces and express the challenges and successes following the death of a loved one.
Call 530-621-7820 or email Grief@snowlinehospice.org for more information or to register.
Children, Teens, and Families
Children’s Bereavement Program – Healing All Together
Our Healing All Together Program is designed specifically to help children and teens (ages five to eighteen) who are grieving the death of a loved one. Utilizing the internationally recognized Dougy Center model, the Healing All Together program supports kids and teens before and after the death of a loved one. The Dougy Center model (www.dougy.org) is considered the ‘gold standard’ of practice in the field of grief and loss.
Kids and teens are placed in groups alongside similar-aged peers who have suffered a similar loss. Art, music, motion, and play are selectively utilized to promote healing when words aren’t enough. Pre-registration required.
Call 530-621-7820 or email Grief@snowlinehospice.org for more information or to register.
Additional Resources
- Hospice Foundation of America – Grief Resources: https://hospicefoundation.org/Grief-(1)
- Journeys Newsletter – Support for coping with loss emailed to your inbox each month: https://hospicefoundation.org/HFA-Products/Journeys
- Widowed Persons Association of California, Sacramento: https://sacwidowed.org/
- The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families: https://www.dougy.org/
- Compassionate Friends – Support for families (including parents, grandparents, and siblings) after the death of a child of any age: https://tcfsacvalley.wixsite.com/tcfsv
- Sharing Parents Pregnancy and Infant Loss: http://sharingparents.org/
- Bereaved Parents of the USA: https://www.bereavedparentsusa.org/
- Yolo Cares – Bereavement support group for members of the LGBTQ+ community: https://yolocares.org/our-services/center-for-loss-hope/
Friends for Survival – Help after a suicide death: https://friendsforsurvival.org/ - Twinless Twins – Support for twins and other multiples who have lost their twin due to death at any age: https://twinlesstwins.org/