Grief Resources in the Indianapolis Area

This list was prepared as a service by Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers. Contact information does change from time to time. If you find an incorrect telephone number, or if you know of an additional group that should be listed, please call 387-7000. If you do not find a support group that meets your needs, check with your local church, hospital, mental health center or a disease-specific organization (heart association, cancer society, Alzheimer's, etc.) for additional programs.

General Resources

Flanner and Buchanan Pastoral Care Services,

396-2500 (Pastor Fred Q. Bishop, Jr.)

Pastor Bishop provides services to families using Flanner and Buchanan who do not have a church home or pastor. These services, free of charge, include visits, ministry, and preplanning of the memorial service to those who are terminally ill or close to death. Also, Pastor Bishop will help individuals/families in their grief following the death of a loved one, free of charge, including visits, listening, referrals to support groups, and providing information on groups or seminars held at a Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Center or associated company. (There is an honorarium that is normally charged to the family by Flanner and Buchanan, as with all pastors/ministers/priests/rabbis, if Pastor Bishop conducts the funeral or graveside service.)

CareNotes

Available at all Flanner and Buchanan Funeral Centers.

These booklets are offered free of charge to anyone. Each booklet (3-5 pages in length) cover a variety of topics regarding illness, death, and bereavement for a variety of situations. The topics vary by location and availability.

Church Federation Book

387-7000 (Flanner and Buchanan’s Control Desk)

This book is a listing of churches (including addresses, phone numbers, and pastors/ministers) in the Indianapolis area. This book can be accessed to find churches of a particular denomination for families who are not from the area.

Suggested Reading

For those not interested in groups, or prefer their own reading, there are numerous books about grief and dying at all major book stores and public libraries.  Some are age specific and others are loss specific (i.e. loss of a spouse, parent, child, etc.)  We encourage you to seek these resources if you feel the need.  If you need additional help or suggestions, please feel free to contact the Director of Pastoral Care who is listed above. (Suggested readings for children who’ve experienced the death of a loved one can be found under “Grief Support for Children.”)

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

This is a literary piece composed by writer C.S. Lewis after the death of his wife. He goes through a myriad of emotions, questioning the role of God and his own religious beliefs.

On Grief and Grieving: Finding the Meaning of Grief Through the Five Stages of Loss by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross and David Kessler

On Kubler-Ross’s deathbed, she works with friend David Kessler to compose a book that helps to understand her own dying and grieving process.

Tear Soup by Pat Schweibert, Chuck DeKlyen and Taylor Bills

Tear Soup is the story of Grandy, who has just suffered a big loss in her life. She blends emotions and memories into Tear Soup as a way to work thru the healing and grieving process.

The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: 20th Aniversary Edition by Leo Buscaglia

As Freddie experiences the changing seasons along with his companion leaves, he learns about the delicate balance between life and death.

I Wasn’t Ready to Say Good-bye by Brook Noel and Pamela Blair

Coping and healing after the sudden death of a loved one

Living with Grief by Hospice Foundation of America and Kenneth Doka

Coping and healing after the death of a love one from Alzheimer’s

Getting to the Other Side of Grief by Susan Zonnebelt-Smeenge

This is a book on the death of a spouse.

Silent Grief: Miscarriage-Child Loss by Clara Hinton

In Silent Grief, author Clara Hinton knows what she's talking about. Experiencing the heartbreak of child loss firsthand, she tackles this universal tragedy by talking with women and men who have dealt with miscarriage.

Adults-Groups

Community Home Health Bereavement Services

Contact: 621-4646 (Contact person: Linda Shepherd) or 800-404-4852 (and ask for Bereavement Services)

They offer support groups free of charge to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. These are open to anyone. They are six week sessions, and they begin four times a year. Both daytime and evening sessions are offered. These sessions are “closed” groups, so an individual must call to sign up and to learn specific details of dates, times, and locations.

Greenwood Christian Church

Contact: 881-9336 x 336 (Contact person: Patty Jones)

They offer an on-going support group, "Healing Journey," free of charge to anyone over 18 who has experienced the death of a loved one.  (If there is someone interested who is under 18, call and they can work with them on an individual case basis.)  These are open to anyone, and there is no need to register.  This group is led by a St. Fracis Chaplain and a Greenwood Christian Church Pastoral Minister.  The group meets on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month at 7 pm at Greenwood Christian Church (2045 Averitt Road, Greenwood).  Participants will need to enter through door #4SE and turn Left.  The group meets in room 105B.  An individual can call the number above for more information.

Ruth Lilly Hospice

Contact: 962-5000 (Contact person: Lori Mercer)

They offer support groups free of charge for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. These are open to anyone. They are eight week sessions, and they begin three times a year. Both daytime and evening groups are offered. They are “closed” groups, so an individual must call to sign up and learn specific details for time and location to attend.

St. Francis Hospice

Contact: 865-2092 (Contact person: any Chaplain available)

They offer support groups free of charge to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. These are open to anyone. They are six week sessions, and they begin four times a year. They are offered on the North, South, and East side of Indy as well as in the Anderson area. These sessions are “closed” groups, so an individual must call to sign up and to learn specific details of dates, times, and locations.

VistaCare

Contact: 788-0300 or 800-480-9408 (Contact person: Neal Schaefer)

They offer support groups free of charge to adults who have experienced the death of a loved one.  These six week sessions are open to anyone.  They are six week sessions, and they are offered throughout the year.  They are "closed" groups, so an individual must call to sign up and learn specific dates and times.  All meetings take place at the VistaCare Office, located at 6431 S. East Street (Indianapolis).  Also, if a support group is not being offered at the current time, they can recommend other groups in the area as well as counselors who specialize in grief.

St. Vincent Hospice Bereavement Cente

338-4040

They offer various support groups free of charge throughout the year:

*The Road to Healing: Any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one can attend this six-week support group. It is offered four times a year at two different locations (including St. Vincent Hospice, 8450 N. Payne Road) with daytime and evening options. An individual must call to register and learn specific details of the dates, times, and location. There is a 12 person maximum for the group each session.

*Daughter’s Grief: Any female adult who has experienced the death of her mother can attend this six-week support group. It is offered four times a year in the evenings. They meet at the St. Vincent Hospice (8450 N. Payne Road). There is a 12 person maximum for the group each session. An individual must call to register and learn specific details of the dates and times.

*Safe Haven: Any bereaved parent who has lost a child of any age (baby/child/or adult) may attend this seven-week support group. It is offered twice a year (Spring and Fall). They meet at the St. Vincent Hospice (8450 N. Payne Road). An individual must call to register and learn specific details of the dates and times.

Widows/Widowers

St. Vincent Hospice Bereavement Center, 338-4040

They offer an on-going support drop-in group for any adult who is a widow or widower. Participants bring a sack lunch and join others, with no registration necessary. It is offered the 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month from 11:30 am-1 pm at St. Vincent Hospice (8450 N. Payne Road). For more information, an individual can call the number listed above.

Workshops

Community Home Health Bereavement Services

621-4646 (Contact person: Linda Shepherd) or 800-404-4852 (and ask for Bereavement Services).

They offer informational sessions free of charge for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one:

*Grief 101: Any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one may attend this one-time workshop on general information about grief. It is held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Fishers Library (5 Municipal Drive, Fishers, 579-0300). It is held at 2-3 pm and repeated 7-8 pm. There is no need to register, an individual can just come. However, for further information an individual can call the number listed above.

*Grief 102: Any adult who has experienced the death of a loved one may attend this one-time workshop on the process of grieving. It is held the 1st Wednesday of every month at Rosewalk at Lutherwood (1301 N. Ritter Avenue, Indianapolis). It is held at 6:30-7:30 pm. There is no need to register, an individual can just come. However, for further information an individual can call the number listed above.

Ruth Lilly Hospice

962-5000 (Contact person: Lori Mercer)

They offer monthly workshops free of charge for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. These workshops discuss different aspects of bereavement. An individual can call for topics, meeting location, and dates.

St. Vincent Hospice Bereavement Center

338-4040

They offer two educational seminars for adults free of charge:

*Learning about Loss: This two-session seminar is held every March at St. Vincent Hospice (8450 N. Payne Road). An individual must call to register and learn specific details of the dates and time.

*Grief and the Holidays: This one-session seminar is offered two times every November at St. Vincent Hospice (8450 N. Payne Road). An individual must call to register and learn specific details of the dates and times.

Parents

Community Hospitals

621-5275 (Contact person: Joni Cutshaw)

They offer a support group free of charge to families who are grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. The group meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Although the group is open to anyone (regardless of where the birth of child occurred), an individual wanting to attend will need to call to find out directions to the location of the gathering.

Compassionate Friends

996-3209 or 634-5561 (Contact person: Penni Risener ), www.compassionatefriends.org (then follow links to the Central Indiana chapter)

They offer support groups for parents, grandparents, and adult siblings when a child of any age dies. There are two free opportunities for support groups, meeting at different locations and times. They meet the 1st Tuesday of the month at 7:30 pm at First Baptist Church in Greenwood (99 W. Main Street, Greenwood). There is also another group that meets on the 2nd Friday of the month at 7:30 pm at Second Presbyterian Church (7700 N. Meridian Street). These groups are on-going. Registration is not required, however, an individual can call Penni Risner at the numbers listed above for more information.

First Candle

1-800-221-7437, www.firstcandle.org

They offer one-on-one support to families who experience death of a baby to SIDS, stillbirth, or other cause of infant death. Individuals can visit the website or call the number listed above for a bilingual crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Hendricks County Regional Health,

745-3417 (Contact person: Josephine Manns)

They offer a support group free of charge to families who are grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. The group meets every other Wednesday. Although the group is open to anyone (regardless of where the birth of child occurred), an individual wanting to attend will need to call to find out directions to the location of the gathering.

Methodist Hospital

962-8153 (Contact person: Jane Heatis, Bereavement Office)

They offer one-on-one support free of charge to families who are grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. (Child does not have to have been born at Methodist.)

Neo-Fight, Inc.

446-3013 (Listening Line Contact Person: Theresa), www.neofight.org

NeoFight is an Indianapolis based organization dedicated to helping families experiencing a perinatal crisis. They provide support to families who have lost a baby through miscarriage or stillbirth, have a premature or critically ill newborn, have delivered an infant with birth defect, or have experienced the death of a child shortly after birth. They have no formal support groups. However, they match someone (or a family) up with someone else who has experienced a similar situation. An individual can either call (or visit the website) to talk with someone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

St. Francis Hospital

865-5199 (Contact person: Marcia Jenkins)

They offer a support group (“Memories to Hold”) free of charge to families who are grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. The group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Although the group is open to anyone (regardless of where the birth of child occurred), an individual wanting to attend will need to call to find out directions to the location of the gathering.

St. Vincent Hospice Bereavement Center

338-4040

Any bereaved parent who has lost a child of any age (baby/child/or adult) may attend this seven-week support group called Safe Haven. It is offered twice a year (Spring and Fall). They meet at the St. Vincent Hospice (8450 N. Payne Road). An individual must call to register and learn specific details of the dates and times.

St. Vincent Hospital

338-2726 (Contact person: Kathy Carroll)

They offer a support group free of charge to families who are grieving the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. The group meets on the 1st Thursday of each month. Although the group is open to anyone (regardless of where the birth of child occurred), an individual wanting to attend will need to call to find out directions to the location of the gathering.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Center of Indiana,

254-9255/877-507-SIDS, www.insids.org

They offer an on-going support group, free of charge, that meets every third Thursday of the month from 7:00PM-9:00PM.  This is open to anyone who is seeking support, reassurance, and encouragement after the loss of a baby. An individual will need to call the number listed above to find out location information. This is operated by volunteers so if calling, a person will need to leave a message and someone will return the call.

Children and Teens

Brooke’s Place

705-9650, www.brookesplace.org

They offer on-going support groups, free of charge, for children ages 3 to young adult (20+) who have experienced the death of any loved one and their caregivers. These support groups are offered at two sites and are held every other week. Families may participate for as little or as long as they deem necessary. An adult must call the number listed above (or visit the website) to speak with a representative at Brooke’s Place to register for the group and to find out the location and time information. Occasionally, Brooke’s Place offers social activities for the participants in the support groups.

Clarian’s Ruth Lilly Hospice

962-9056 (Contact person: Christine Jakacky)

They offer on-going support groups, free of charge, for any teen who have experienced a death. These 8-week- long support groups meet at Methodist Hospital on Tuesdays at 7. An adult must call the number listed above to register their child. More information can be obtained by calling the number above as well.

St. Francis Hospice

862-2092 (Contact person: any Chaplain available)

*Caterpillar Kids: They offer education and support for children ages 5 to 12 who have experienced the death of a loved one. There is a free support group that meets for 6 weeks and is offered various times through the year. Registration is required. For more information or to register, an individual can call the number listed above.

Camp Healing Tree, www.camphealingtree.org

Offered cooperatively by several hospitals, this program is a weekend camp held in late August every year for children ages 7-17 who have experienced the death of a loved one. For more information, an individual can call any of the people listed below:
St. Francis Hospice, Roberta White, 865-2092
Ruth Lilly Hospice, Lisa French, 962-0626
St. Vincent, Chaplain, 338-4040
Vista Care, Chaplain, 788-0300

Suggested Reading for Children/Teenagers

Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies by Janis Silverman

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

This is a story of a young man who must deal with the death of his parents. His trials and tribulations with magic help him as he encounters death, grief and fear along with adventure.

Sad Isn't Bad: A Good-Grief Guidebook for Kids Dealing With Loss (Elf-Help Books for Kids) by Michaelene Mundy

I Miss You: A First Look At Death by Pat Thomas

Special Needs

Survivors of Suicide Victims

621-5269 (Contact person: Jim Gaynor)

This is a support group free of charge for adults and/or children (preferably attending with an adult) who have experienced the death of a loved one to suicide. The group meets on the 4th Wednesday (except in November and December, it is the 3rd Wednesday) at 7 pm at 1640 N. Ritter Avenue. There is no need to register. However, if an individual would like more information, they can call the number above.

Survivors of Violent Death

Legacy House

554-5272

This safe place is for adults and children working through reactions to violence of all types: homicide, family violence, childhood deprivation, robbery, sexual abuse, and stalking. Services include crisis intervention, support groups, victim advocacy, individual and family counseling. All services are free of charge. Call the number listed above for further information and details on services provided.

Survivors of Cancer Death

The Wellness Community of Central Indiana

257-1507

Their "Family Transition" support group is free of charge to adults age 21 and over who have experienced the death of a loved one in the last two years from cancer.  They meet weekly on Mondays at 6 pm at The Wellness Community of Central Indiana office in the Keystone at the Crossing area.  Before attending a session, an individual will need to call the number above to register.