JUDY FOY

Resources for the Bereaved

Help During the Holidays
Coping with grief during the holidays (Judi's House):
https://judishouse.org/resources/grief-and-the-holidays/?bbeml=tp-4hwScy2zQE-tQCG4aJK_7Q.jSZJh0zrFQkKdo0iK-SoM_Q.r65ocpAsIzE6FbGkrNIjPuw.l7vTsz7hWqUepk5xa4ZJ21w
Grief at home holiday activities (Judi's House): 
https://judishouse.org/holiday-activities/?bbeml=tp-4hwScy2zQE-tQCG4aJK_7Q.jSZJh0zrFQkKdo0iK-SoM_Q.r65ocpAsIzE6FbGkrNIjPuw.lsJr9L7j6mEScmhI7HEPsVg

Grief share : special support programs and a book about getting through the holidays: holidays.griefshare.org

National/International organizations

• Compassionate Friends; has local chapters: https://www.compassionatefriends.org
• David Kessler’s resources Grief.com
• Dougy Center: resources specific to children: https://www.dougy.org/
• Emmaus Ministry for Grieving Parents (approved by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops): https://www.emfgp.org/
• Friends for Survival; resources specific to death by suicide: https://friendsforsurvival.org
  Including:
  • Talking to Children and Teens about death by suicide: https://friendsforsurvival.org/children-%26-teens-grief
• GriefShare: https://www.griefshare.org/
• Judi's House/JAG Institute; many resources related to child grief at https://judishouse.org/find-support/resources/
  Including: 
  • Developmental Differences in Understanding and Reacting to Death and Dying: https://judishouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Developmental-Differences-in-Understanding.pdf
  • Explaining Death to a Child: https://judishouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ExplainingDeath-to-Kids-Judis-House.pdf
  • Common Grief Reactions: https://judishouse.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Commongriefreactions-2023.pdf
• KidTalkGrief; resources specific to children: https://www.kidtalkgrief.com
• National Alliance for Child Grief (go to the Family Portal for free materials): https://nacg.org  
  Including
  • Talking to Your Child about Death and Dying https://indd.adobe.com/view/23176ffb-5edf-4640-b906-3318ea8808c0
• Red Bird Ministries (approved by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops) for any child loss (pregnancy through adult children): https://www.redbird.love
  • • App for online support https://apps.apple.com/us/app/red-bird-ministries/id1640873677

Local Programs (Southern California):

• Changes/Pathways (Lakewood); Bereavement programs https://pathwayschb.org/programs
• Griefshare and other programs at St. Irenaeus Parish, Cypress: Jennifer Dagarag, R.N. at jdagarag@sticypress.org
• Hospitals: Ask to speak to chaplains in pastoral and spiritual care departments
• It’s OK to Talk About Grief (Judy Foy, Ph.D.): Programs for grieving children, talks for grieving parents (see JudyFoy.com for information): For questions or to schedule an event contact Judy Foy: judyfoy2023@gmail.com
• New Hope Grief Support Community (Long Beach, Southern California) https://www.newhopegrief.org/
• Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, Office for Family Life: https://www.rcbo.org/ministry/office-for-family-life/topics/pastoral-care/bereavement-grief-support/
• Parish: Contact your parish priest or bereavement ministry; to find a parish: https://www.rcbo.org/all-parishes/

Special Events (national):

• November is Child Grief Awareness Month https://nacg.org/past-campaigns/ 
• November 16th is Child Grief Awareness Day https://www.childrensgriefawarenessday.org/cgad2/index.shtml
• December 10^th: Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony: https://www.compassionatefriends.org

Special Events (local)

• New Hope (Long Beach, Southern California) Family Camps in February, April, June, August, October, and December 2023: https://www.newhopegrief.org/family-programs/
• See your local parish website and/or speak with your priest/bereavement ministry (e.g., All Soul’s Day)

No matter how long you have been in grief, grief resources can be very helpful - especially if you can go back to them when you need them (e.g., around anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, etc.). 

Books about grief and loss
See tabs on this website for books for children, teens, and adults

Grief and the Brain: https://youtu.be/eEcaUhxAH2g

It is important to be cautious when seeking grief support, as some groups may prioritize financial gain over providing actual help. Beware of any pressure to commit to subscriptions or memberships, and trust your gut instinct. While not all paid resources are suspicious, it's essential to do your research and only trust those who are genuinely committed to helping others. As someone who has experienced grief firsthand, I recommend seeking out resources that prioritize support over profit. You can benefit from grief resources at any stage of your grieving process, and it may be helpful to seek support in anticipation of when you need it the most, such as around anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays.