Here's a list of charities that help those dealing with grief

The presence of over 1.54 million charities in the US reflects that a growing number of Americans want to give back. Some may prefer to donate their time and energy through volunteering, such as the 25.1% adult Americans who volunteer every year. Others give back in the form of financial donations to charities. If this includes you, here are a few charities that deal with grief and supporting those who have been through or are going through a difficult period of grieving.

COPE Foundation

Founded in 1996, C.O.P.E Foundation (Connecting Our Paths Eternally) was founded by a group of parents grieving the loss of their children. This expanded into a community that eventually became a non-profit organization that seeks to support individuals and families dealing with grief. COPE offers weekend bereavement camps for kids and teenagers grieving the death of a loved one, as well as events and workshops, support groups, peer mentors, and a grief support line. They also host an annual COPE walk to honor the lives of lost loved ones.

Marie Curie

Marie Curie is a UK charity that cares and supports those with a terminal illness. This can come in the form of nursing and hospice care, as well as funding research focused on palliative care. Marie Curie also supports the UK Commission of Bereavement, which works to better support those grieving lost loved ones. Their future plan is to study how bereavement has been affected by Covid-19, and how this impacts the support they can provide moving forward. 

American Association of Suicidology 

The American Association of Suicidology has many people from different backgrounds working together such as mental health and public health professionals, researchers, volunteers, survivors, and schools and crisis intervention centers. Their goal is to prevent suicide and help find healing for those who are survivors or who have lost a loved one to suicide. They provide support groups and mentorships, and approach suicide prevention with an intersectional lens that recognizes the risk of suicide in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC populations. 

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA

The mission of MMIW USA is to support those who have been affected, specifically families, by the murder of Indigenous women in the US and help them through their grief. Furthermore, MMIW USA aims to eliminate this problem and create prevention through programs such as their monthly program Staying Sacred that includes lessons in self-defense. MMIW USA also works to try and reunite these missing women with their families.

The Compassionate Friends

The Compassionate Friends, founded 50 years ago, has over 600 chapters as well as an international presence in over 30 countries. This organization focuses on the support for families affected by the death of a child or grandchild, and understanding the unique loss that comes with loss of a child. They provide support through their chapters, Facebook groups, and crisis lines. They accept donations and volunteering, as well as iGive and AmazonSmiles which donates a portion of the profits from certain purchases to The Compassionate Friends. 

Whether you have dealt with the grief of losing a loved one or are close to someone who has gone through a grief period, there are many charities that are involved with grief for those who seek support. Volunteering or donating to charities you have a connection to can be healing and rewarding to know you have made a positive impact on the lives of others.

— Missy Roney