Bereavement support groups

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Comfort and connection through shared understanding

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

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.

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.

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

What is grief and the different ways we grieve
The types of loss experienced
How grief affects our body and nervous system
Ways to support health and wellbeing while living with loss
Techniques to support a better night’s sleep
Grounding techniques to support those moments of feeling overwhelmed
Integrating grief into our daily lives
Rituals and honouring loved ones

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:

National Helpline – call 1300 845 745, available 8am–8pm (AEST), 7 days a week.
Online peer-to-peer forums – connect with others who understand grief in a safe and supportive online community.
Grief and loss resource hub – access self-guided resources, articles, and practical tools to support you through grief.

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

Speak with your GP. If you don’t have one, you can find a GP near you here.
You may also wish to search for a counsellor who can provide one-on-one grief support. (Please note that counsellors provide a fee-for-service.)

Bereavement support groups expression of interest

Name*
Email*
Phone*
Postcode*
Who will you be referring to the program?*
Preferred day*
click on the drop-down menu to select a day
Time bereaved*
click on the drop-down menu to select the timeframe
First Nations status
click on the drop-down menu to select your Australian First Nations status
Are you part of the LGBTQIA+ community?
click on the drop-down menu to select your status
Are you part of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) community?
click on the drop-down menu to select your status
Message
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Griefline is not a crisis-support or emergency support service If you are in an emergency situation or are at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, please call 000.
If you are experiencing crisis, or are worried about yourself or someone else, please contact Lifeline by phoning
13 11 14 or by texting 0477 13 11 14
Kids Helpline is available 24/7 to support young people aged between five and 25, call 1800 551 800

Frequently asked questions

How can I determine whether I am eligible to register to participate in the Griefline bereavement support group?

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.

How will I know if I have been accepted to participate in a support group?

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.

Do I need to attend all six group sessions?

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.

I’m not familiar with zoom. Can I get help to set it up?

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]

Are these groups for all types of loss?

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.

Helpline 1300 845 745