Grief Support Resources
Visit the Student Support page for more resources, including accessibility/disability policies, Title IX information, learning support assistance, health and wellness resources, and more.
On campus
HDS Office of the Chaplain and Religious and Spiritual Life
Swartz 110
Phone: 617.496.7540
kmaloney@hds.harvard.edu
Office of Student Life
Swartz 106
Phone: 617.496.3091
kcaponera@hds.harvard.edu
Counseling and Mental Health Services
Through Harvard University Health Services
HDS Denominational Counselors
The HDS Office of Ministry Studies employs part-time denominational counselors who serve the needs of several particular faith communities at the Divinity School.
Harvard Chaplains
Harvard Chaplains is the umbrella organization of 38 chaplains representing 26 of the world’s traditions, united in their commitment to serving Harvard’s diverse student communities.
The sites below are maintained by organizations external to HDS. Inclusion here does not necessarily imply endorsement.
Off-campus bereavement groups
Mount Auburn Hospital Bereavement Support Groups
Mount Auburn Hospital offers three eight-week-long bereavement support groups series a year. Each series will meet for eight Wednesday evenings, 6–7:30 pm in the Clough Conference Room. Any adult who has experienced the death of someone close is welcomed. Participants have experienced the death of a spouse or partner, child, sibling, friend, or other relative. Contact Beth Loomis, director of pastoral care, at eloomis@mah.harvard.edu or 617.575.8606.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) of Boston: Supporting Family After a Child Dies
Meeting information: first Tuesday of each month 6–7:30 pm
Trinity Church of Boston (Parish House, Lower Level Room A)
206 Clarendon Drive, Boston, MA 02116
tcfofboston@gmail.com or 617.539.6424
VNACare
Bereavement support groups are offered several times a year in various locations. There is no charge for the group, but registration is required.
Grief Support Resources
- All There Is with Anderson Cooper
- Being with Love, Death and Grief: Tara Brach and Frank Ostaseski
- Fresh Air: A Mother Remembers Her Adolescent Daughter’s Death from Cancer February 3, 2025 (episode) https://www.npr.org/2025/02/03/nx-s1-5279455/childhood-cancer-sarah-wildman-orli
- On Point, WBUR: How We Grieve January 2, 2015 (episode)
- Actively Moving Forward (AMF): College students supporting one another in grieving theillness or death of a loved one
- GriefShare.org: A website that provides listings of local grief support groups
- The Dougy Center: The national center for grieving children and families
- Center for Loss and Life Transition: Articles and book excerpts
- Hold the Door for Others (PDF): A detailed workbook on “Finding Your Way Through Loss and Sudden Adversity”
- Help Guide: Coping with Grief and Loss
- Hampshire College’s Grief Resources Bibliography (PDF): Extensive bibliography of books organized by subtopic and audience
- Six Tips for Dealing with Grief and Loss in Recovery
- HealGrief
- ModernLoss
- The Grieving Person's Bill of Rights (PDF) - courtesy of the Yale University Chaplain's Office
- Helpful Tips for Grieving College Students (PDF) - courtesy of the Yale University Chaplain's Office
- Helping Children to Cope with Grief
- Emotional Healing After a Miscarriage
- Grief.com
- COVID Grief Network for Young Adults (20’s and 30’s)
- Dealing with Grief and Bereavement: National Association of Nursing Home Attorneys
- What’s Your Grief
- The Dinner Party: 20’s and 30’s
- Compassionate Friends: Death of a Child
- Resources for Bereavement and Grief: The Memorial Church of Harvard University
- Grief Following the Death of a Loved One due to Substance Use Disorder
- Survivors of Homicide
- Alliance of Hope, for suicide loss survivors
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, for suicide loss survivors
- Massachusetts AA Meetings
- Grief Resources for College Students
- The Children's Room, Arlington MA, for grieving children, teens, and families