Resources

Below are some helpful websites and books that have helped my husband and I in our grief journey. If you have a helpful resources you would like to add here for other parents, please let me know.

Helpful Websites

Luke's Purpose

Luke’s Purpose is a nonprofit that my husband and I started after Luke died. We wanted to help families who’ve suffered the tragic and very unexpected loss of a child. We were burdened with finances when Luke passed; funeral costs, cemetery costs, medical bills, mental health fees. We also were not working so we needed funds to support our family and home. We were incredibly lucky to have received so much support, but we know many people are not as fortunate. Luke’s Purpose helps families with the sudden financial burdens that come with losing a child.

If you or someone you know has suffered the loss of a child, please visit lukespurpose.com, and follow us @lukespurpose.

The Compassionate Friends

A national organization, The Compassionate Friends is a great place to start to find local resources and help in your area. This was started by bereaved parents, and are many chapters and locations around the country. They can assist with counseling, help for family members, help for siblings and grandparents. There’s also links to private online support groups, and even ways that your coworkers can help you grieve.

This is a gentle and very welcoming community. For more information visit https://www.compassionatefriends.org/.

COPE Foundation - New York

Much like The Compassionate Friends, COPE is headquartered in New York and mainly focuses on New York City and Long Island. There’s also information about a bereaved siblings camp, events, volunteer work, and a memorial children’s wall.

For New York residents, visit https://copefoundation.org/.

Grieving Dads

Grieving Dads was founded by Kelly Farley that is geared towards Dads who have suffered a child loss, but Moms as well. Kelly is an author, public speaker, life coach, and a grieving father. Kelly has tragically lost both his daughter, Katie, and son, Noah. After struggling with his grief, he received the help and support he needed and eventually went on to write his book, Grieving Dads: To The Brink and Back. Often times, we expect men to hide behind their walls and keep their emotions at bay. Society puts so much pressure on men and dads to take care of their family and be this pillar of strength at all times, but the reality is, they struggle as well. Child loss will knock down any walls and pillars that are standing. This site it helpful in connecting dads (and moms!) who have lost a child.

Check out his story and his book here: https://grievingdads.com/.

The Christopher House

A public Facebook group; This is a safe place where you can share your loved one’s stories, memories, thoughts, experiences and pictures or you can just read other members’ journeys until you are ready. Feel free to ask questions you have, add quotes you love or let us know that today was not a great day but tomorrow may be better.

Please find the public group on Facebook: The Christopher House

Helpful Literature

I have found that reading books on grief, not just child loss, has been very helpful in understanding my emotions. I can also relate to the stories the authors are telling. Self help books and journaling have also been extremely helpful. Some of my favorites are: