Other Area Support Groups
Updated for publication for September 2022. Please call the number shown to verify information for the group you wish to attend.
Aftercare Grief Support Group (Omaha) www.heafeyheafey.com (aftercare)
This group gives those who have experienced a loss the opportunity to receive help and encouragement. The topic meetings are generally held the 2nd Sunday of each month (exception for holidays) at 6:00 PM at Heafey Mortuary, 7805 W. Center Rd. Contact Nancy Nilsson, Aftercare Director, at Heafey Hoffmann Dworak & Cutler Mortuaries at 402-391-3900 or check the website to verify the meeting date. **PS
Compassionate Friends (Omaha/Council Bluffs)
Open-ended support group for parents, grandparents, siblings, and family members over 18 grieving the death of a child. As of right now, they are still meeting online by zoom. Please call for updated information as this may change after January 2023. Call 402-571-4011 or access them at www.tcfomaha.org or mail@tcfomaha.org or www.facebook.com/tcfomaha. There is no fee. **PE
H.E.A.L. (Bellevue)
H.E.A.L. (Healing Each other After a Loss) Facilitated by Hillcrest Hospice – a public support group for individuals preparing for or experiencing the loss of a family member or friend. Group members can expect: A safe, nonjudgmental environment to speak openly. Education & ideas about grief and loss. Literature about grief to help navigate the journey. For more information or to register, contact Kendra Gonzalez, Bereavement Coordinator with Hillcrest Hospice at 402-934-2518 or bereavement@hillcresthealth.com **PS
Journey Beyond the Clouds (Omaha) Two different groups: secular and non-secular
Journey Beyond the Clouds provides free open-ended support for parents, grandparents, and adult family members who are grieving the death of a child. These groups were created to provide needed connection and support. For more information on either group, please contact Shane Taylor at 402-707-3333 or ShaneTaylor@cox.net. **PE
Men Grieve, Too Group (Omaha)
Join other widowers and men who have lost loved ones. Talk, listen, and support, all from a male perspective. Meets on the second Saturday of the month at 10:00AM. Text Paul Madsen at 402-206-4727 or paul@growmedia.com for more information and location. **PE
Omaha/Council Bluffs Young Widows and Widowers (Omaha/Council Bluffs)
This is an informal social support group. They use a private Facebook group for individual and group communications, questions, and encouragement. Contact by email: cbomahayoungwids@gmail.com or leave contact information at The Centering at 402-553-1200. **PE
Open Arms (Omaha)
This support group sponsored through CHI is for parents who have experienced the death of a baby during pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth. Search Facebook: CHI Health Open Arms Infant Support Group – to join their private group.
P.O.S.T. – Parents of Suicide Together (Omaha)
This group comes together to offer support for each other after the loss of a child to suicide. They meet the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 84th and Pacific. Please contact them for meeting location before attending. There is also a Saturday luncheon meeting for the mothers. For more information please call Karen McElroy at 402-677-4564. Email at ParentsOfSuicidesTogether@yahoo.com or view the website at http://parentsofsuicidestogether.wordpress.com. **PE
SIDS Support Group (Omaha)
This group offers support to families and caregivers who have lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Family support and assistance is scheduled. Contact SIDS at 402-935-1911 or info@nebraskasidsfoundation.org. www.nebraskasidsfoundation.org
Suicide Loss: SOSL – Siblings of Suicide Loss (Omaha)
SOSL, for Adult Siblings, meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month, 7:00-8:00 PM at Christ Community Church, 404 S. 108th Ave, Room G260, Omaha. Contact Declan Mc Elroy at 402-739-9899 or declanomaha@yahoo.com.
THEOS (They Help Each Other Spiritually & Socially) (Omaha)
This is primarily a social group open especially to those who have had a spouse die. They meet on the 2nd Monday of each month at 12:30 PM in the Senior Center Room at Montclair Community Center, 2304 S. 135th Ave, Omaha, NE. Contact Lila at 402-551-6087 for more information. It is recommended that people attending this group have already journeyed through the early stages of grief. **PE
“The Way” Through Grief (Omaha)
This 6-week seminar/workshop, “The Way” Through Grief, offers support for adults who have entered the grieving process. This seminar is primarily for adults who have lost a spouse, child, parent, sibling, grandchild, or a friend. Grief retreats are offered several times a year as well. This is sponsored through the Catholic Cemeteries. Please contact Deacon James Tardy at Jtardy@catholiccem.com or phone him at 402-391-3711 for information on the sessions. **PS
Walking Through the Valley of Darkness (Omaha) www.heafeyheafey.com (aftercare)
Heafey Mortuary: These sessions are adult education for people who have lost a loved one. They meet on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, from 10:00 to 11:30 AM at Heafey Mortuary, 7805 W. Center Rd. Nancy Nilsson, Facilitator. Contact Heafey Hoffmann Dworak & Cutler Mortuaries at 402-391-3900. There is no fee. **PS
Widows Support Group (Omaha)
CHI Health sponsors a 2nd Tuesday evening opportunity each month from 5:30-7:00PM for social and facilitated support. Call Lisa Ramold, CHI Bereavement Coordinator at 402-639-0509 for location information and to reserve a spot. **PS
Widowers Support Group (Omaha)
CHI Health sponsors a 2nd Friday breakfast opportunity each month from 10:00-11:30AM for social and facilitated support. Call Lisa Ramold, CHI Bereavement Coordinator at 402-639-0509 for location information and to reserve a spot. **PS
**PS – Professional or Staff Facilitated; **PE – Peer Facilitated
Other Services and Internet
Centering (Omaha)
This non-profit resource center sells books, videos and literature for the bereaved of all ages. For information call 402-553-1200 or toll free 866-218-0101. They are located at 6406 Maple St., Omaha, NE 68104. They also publish a magazine, “Grief Digest,” which posts online articles on their website. An on-line catalog of resources can be found at www.centering.org , as well as their hours of operation.
The Collective for Hope (Ted E. Bear Hollow, Griefs’s Journey, HEALing Journey) (Omaha)
Free grief support services for children, teens and adults who are grieving a death, a serious illness or injury, pregnancy/infancy loss and suicide loss survivors. Support groups, in person and online, are available for adults and youth ages 3-18. All groups can be found on their website at https://thecollectivefor hope.org. Call the office at 402-502-2773 or email them at info@thecollectiveforhope.org. They are located at 7811 Farnam Drive, Omaha, NE 68114.
Volunteers Assisting Seniors (VAS) (Omaha)
VAS utilizes the education, skills and knowledge of volunteers, especially retired seniors, to help other seniors obtain needed services and understand their rights and privileges available under the law. This includes Medicare rights and entitlements through the NE SHIIP program. They also offer help with homestead exemptions, assist in issues concerning Medicare fraud, and other help in areas. VAS is located at 1941 S. 42nd St., Suite 312, Omaha, NE 68105. Call 402-444-6617. www.vas-nebraska.org
Bereavement Publications: www.livingwithloss.com; Centering Corporation: www.centering.org; National Funeral Directors Association: www.nfda.org/consumer-resources/grief-support; Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support: www.nationalshare.org; Grief Share www.griefshare.org (can sign-up for emailed daily devotionals) and/or check local classes offered in area by inserting zip-code. 13-week classes and stand-alone 2-hour Seminars are available: Loss of a Spouse & Surviving the Holidays.
This information provided and updated by:
Heafey Hoffmann Dworak & Cutler Mortuaries, Omaha, NE – Aftercare Services. A community service program of caring for individuals and families who are grieving the death of someone they love. Aftercare Services: aftercare@heafeyheafey.com or 402-391-3900