Bereavement support groups

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Comfort and connection through shared understanding

Peer-supported, online bereavement groups guided by a Griefline counsellor 

Group of people listening intently

Grief can feel isolating, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our bereavement support groups offer a safe and supportive space where you can connect with others who understand the experience of loss. 

Guided by a Griefline counsellor, these groups draw on the insights and experiences of participants to foster a sense of belonging and support. Together, we provide encouragement, share stories, and explore ways to navigate life after loss. 

This program focuses on the healing power of connection, emphasising that everyone’s grief journey is unique. It is a space for mutual support and shared understanding, rather than a substitute for one-on-one therapeutic or clinical services. 

Group support framework and format

Building hope together after loss

A closed group environment for individuals seeking group support after the loss of a loved one. The purpose of this group is to support the health and wellbeing of participants who have lost a loved one by creating a safe space for participants to connect with people, share personal experiences and learn ways to cope and cultivate self-compassion to move through their grief and find hope after loss.

Who is this program for?

Groups details

Cost

Our support groups are free

Size

Maximum of 6 participants (a minimum of 5 required)

Dates

Each group meets on a weekly basis, over six consecutive weeks.

Day and time

Option 1: Tuesday evening: 6-8PM, online (via Zoom)
Option 2: Wednesday afternoon: 2-4PM, online (via Zoom)
Option 3: Thursday evening: 6-8PM, online (via Zoom)

Topics discussed

Your information and privacy

We aim to provide the most appropriate and culturally safe support for everyone who joins our bereavement support groups. To help us achieve this, we ask for information such as cultural background, LGBTIQA+ status, and First Nations identity. Sharing this information is entirely optional, and your choice to disclose or not disclose will not affect your access to our support services.

Thank you for your interest in our bereavement support groups

Our groups are currently fully booked until the end of 2025. Registrations will re-open in January 2026.

In the meantime, Griefline offers a range of free services to support you: 

If you are in distress and need additional support to cope with your grief: 

Bereavement support groups expression of interest

  • click on the drop-down menu to select a day
  • click on the drop-down menu to select the timeframe
  • click on the drop-down menu to select your Australian First Nations status
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Frequently asked questions

Griefline’s online bereavement support groups are open to residents of Australia aged 18 and over who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives. These groups are designed for individuals who:

  • Are experiencing early bereavement (death within the last two years).
  • Are seeking connection, understanding, and support from others with similar experiences.
  • Do not have complex mental health conditions or high-risk factors.
All participants undergo a brief triage process before joining. We use the Commonwealth’s Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST) to guide suitability. Our groups are aligned with Level 2 of this framework, supporting those whose grief, while painful, is not complicated by significant co-existing mental health conditions or safety concerns. Refer to the framework image below.
 
If someone’s needs are more complex, for example, they are experiencing serious mental health challenges, safety risks, or significant difficulty managing daily life, we will help connect them to more appropriate support options.
 
If you’re unsure whether the group is right for you, we encourage you to register your interest, and our team will guide you through the next steps.

A member of the Griefline intake team will receive the registration from the website and make a phone call to explain the support group process and discuss with you the program benefits.

If it is determined that the you may benefit from participating in the program, you will be appointed to the next available group. Alternatively, you may be referred to other free Griefline support services and resources or a more suitable third-party partner.

It is preferred you are able to attend all six of the group sessions, as each session builds on what has been discussed and shared in previous groups.

Yes. Participants will receive an email with links on how to access and download zoom, and access the online support group. If you have any questions after reading the email, please contact our Intake team at [email protected]

Griefline’s bereavement support groups focus specifically on the grief experienced after the death of a loved one. For support with a living loss, we recommend you call our helpline or request a callback service to speak to a specially trained volunteer.

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