GriefShare Support Ministry

No matter what the circumstances, grief is a painful, confusing process. A GriefShare group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. At this 13-week support group program, you’ll discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, you’ll learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way.

At each weekly meeting, you will view a video featuring respected counselors, pastors, and healthcare professionals on grief-related topics, plus you’ll hear relatable personal stories of grief. After that is a small-group discussion to allow people time to talk, share support, and personally apply what they learned on the video. Everyone will receive a book to take home filled with valuable exercises for navigating their personal grieving process.

Topics include how to manage grief-related emotions such as loneliness, anxiety, sadness, anger, and regret; how to cope with the changes in your life and relationships; and how to recognize what’s normal in grief and what to do if you feel stuck or hopeless.

GriefShare group participants have repeatedly shared that they feel comforted and encouraged by being in a place where people truly understand what they’re going through. And they feel a sense of relief when they’re given guidance and tips on how to deal with the daily challenges.

Your bereavement experience may be recent or not so recent. No matter how long it’s been, this is an opportunity to be around people who understand what you are feeling.

GriefShare sessions for 2025 will start up Tuesday, September 16 at St. Martha. The first session is specific to Loss of a Spouse.

Meetings are held weekly on Tuesdays from September 16- December 16 in the Solanus Casey Conference Room on the north end of the building, accessible through Door #1 & #2

If you have questions or would like to assist the committee in planning activities, please contact Michele Shepard at mbs1952@aol.com

Hospice Grief Program
Hospice of Lansing and Ionia Area: 517-882-4500
McLaren Visiting Nurse Services of Michigan: 517-975-9900
Sparrow Hospice Services: (517) 364-4708

Funeral Homes Grief Support Services
Estes-Leadley Funeral Homes: 517-482-1651
Gorsline-Runciman Funeral Homes: 517-333-3636
Palmer, Bush, Jensen Family funeral Homes: 517-268-2100

Additional Area Support Services
Arthritis and Chronic Pain: 517-676-9449
Caregivers Support Group: 517-372-9163
Pet Loss Support Group: 517-432-5967

Bereavement Services for Children
Ele's Place: 517-482-1315
Mid-Michigan Motherless Daughters: 517-449-9247

Bereavement Services for Parents
Compassionate Friends: 517-393-8327
Hoping: Helping Other Parents in Normal Grief: 517-316-7984
Tomorrow's Child/MI SIDS: 800-331-7437
Toward Healing: 517-676-9449

Bereavement Services for Spouses
Beginning Experience: 886-610-8877
Divorced, Separated, Widowed Support Group: 517-339-9095
Widowed Companions: 517-676-9449