Registered Charity #118803667RR0001
ADULT GROUP PROGRAMS
Experiencing the loss of someone in your life can feel isolating and overwhelming. Our grief peer support groups offer a supportive space for connection, reflection, and healing, with a different topic explored each week to guide learning, sharing, and navigating grief together. We also offer a variety of workshop series; feel free to explore them here and find what resonates with you.
Click here to view our Spring/Summer 2026 "Grief Support Groups Guide" for all groups and group workshops running from May - August 2026.
Getting Started with Our Grief Peer Support Groups
Before attending or registering for your very first group session with us, you must be 18 years of age or older (to participate in our adult groups), complete an intake, read and sign our Informed Consent Form, and attend a brief Group Information Session, where we review our grief support groups and explain how registration works. Our groups warmly welcome all walks of life.
"Closed Groups", "Time-Limited Groups", "Open Groups"
For more information about our grief support groups, please review our Grief Support Groups Guide (above) or visit our FAQ page. Open and Time-Limited Groups Open groups meet weekly or bi-weekly throughout the year (except during holidays, office closures, or unexpected cancellations). Examples include our Friends and Family Loss, Parent and Guardian Loss, and Partner Loss groups. Participants must register separately for each session they would like to attend. Time-limited groups run for a set number of weeks, but participants are not required to attend every session. Similar to open groups, participants must register separately for each session they would like to attend. Closed Groups Closed groups run for a set number of weeks (for example, 6 or 8 weeks) and are designed for specific communities or types of loss, such as suicide loss, overdose loss, newcomer groups, or senior groups. Participants register once, and their registration covers the entire program. The same participants and facilitators attend each session, helping to build trust, connection, and support within the group. Attendance is expected for all sessions, although we understand that emergencies happen. Participants are asked to attend at least 75% of sessions and to notify us at info@bereavedfamilies.ca if they are unable to attend. Participants who miss the first session or more than 25% of sessions may be removed from the group. The closed groups we offer vary throughout the year and depend on community needs, available resources, funding, and donations.
Group Topics, Resource Booklets, and Discussion Themes
Our grief support groups follow a set list of topics that reflect many of the common experiences, emotions, and challenges that can arise after a loss. As a peer support organization, the topics we offer are designed to fit within our peer support model and focus on shared experiences, connection, and mutual support. Our open groups rotate through 16 grief-related topics over a 16-week cycle. Once all 16 weeks have been completed, the cycle begins again, allowing both new and returning participants to explore the topics through different stories, perspectives, and discussions. Our time-limited and closed groups also follow a set curriculum. Closed groups are often tailored to specific identities, communities, or types of loss, while some time-limited groups may also include more specialized topics. Regardless of the group you choose, we welcome and value diverse identities, experiences, perspectives, and ways of grieving. While some topics may be broad, participants are encouraged to bring their own unique experiences and reflections into the discussion. Each grief support group is accompanied by a resource booklet. Open groups and some time-limited groups use a general resource booklet that follows the same 16-week topic cycle, while closed groups and certain time-limited groups may have resource booklets tailored to the specific community or type of loss being explored. Resource booklets are intended to supplement the group experience and are not something that participants are expected to complete or follow in a specific order. They may include educational information, coping strategies, reflection prompts, activities, and additional resources. Depending on the topic and the time available, facilitators may choose to incorporate an activity or resource from the booklet into a session and encourage participants to explore it further on their own.
Time Commitment
Open groups and time-limited groups have no specific time/session commitment, while closed groups require a commitment based on the duration of the group. Please consider this when choosing which type of group is right for you.
Holidays and Office Closures
Please be aware that there are no group sessions during the last two weeks of December, office or group closures, or on statutory holidays. Stay updated by subscribing to our newsletters and announcements to receive information about upcoming groups and closures or contact us to receive updates.
In-Person Group Accessibility
To learn more about the accessibility of our in-person grief support groups, please connect with us at info@bereavedfamilies.ca.
Friends and Family Loss Grief Peer Support Group (Ages 18+)
Open Group Format.
Bi-Weekly on Tuesdays via Zoom
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The in-person version of this group is a Time-Limited Group format and is offered at our main office in Mississauga during a different day of the week. Email us or subscribe to our newsletter and email blasts for updates.
The Friends and Family Loss Grief Peer Support Group is unique, in that it is our only open group that is not loss specific and is open to anyone (ages 18+) who has experienced the death of a loved one or significant person.
This is a compassionate space for anyone grieving the loss of someone, whether that be:
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Anyone you held dear and considered a friend or family;
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Chosen family, including close friends who felt like family;
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Coworkers or mentors who had a significant impact on your life;
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Extended family members such as cousins, aunts, uncles, or in-laws.
We honour the uniqueness of your relationships and recognize that grief doesn’t fit into neat categories. This group welcomes all who are navigating the loss of someone important in their life.
To register, please email info@bereavedfamilies.ca as early as Mondays from 9:00am up until the day of the group (Tuesday) by 4:00pm, if you are an existing member. Participants must register separately for each group session they wish to attend.
The in-person, time-limited format of this group will be offered:
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8-Week In-Person Friends and Family Loss: February-March 2026
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8-Week In-Person Friends and Family Loss: October 2026 start
Child Loss Grief Peer Support Group (Ages 18+)
Closed Group Format. Email us or subscribe to our newsletter and email blasts for updates!
This 6-week closed group is loss specific, meaning, all group members have experienced the loss of a child. The Child Loss Grief Support Group provides individuals with an opportunity to share their loss and grief with others who have also experienced the loss of a child.
This group is facilitated by the same facilitators for all 6 weeks. As it is a closed group, we ask participants to commit to attending each session to support strong group cohesion and meaningful connection. This group is offered either virtually or in person depending on the time of year and the level of interest.
This group will be offered:
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6-Week Virtual Child Loss Grief Support Group: January-February 2026
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6-Week In-Person Child Loss Grief Support Group: September-October 2026
Partner Loss Grief Peer Support Group (Ages 18+)
Open Group Format.
Every Thursday via Zoom
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
This open group is loss specific, meaning, all group members have experienced the loss of a partner, regardless of relationship status – married, unmarried, or any other connection. Inclusive of all gender identities. The Partner Loss Grief Support Group provides individuals with an opportunity to share their loss and grief with others who have also experienced the loss of a spouse or partner.
To register, please email info@bereavedfamilies.ca as early as Mondays from 9:00am up until the day of the group (Thursday) by 4:00pm, if you are an existing member. Participants must register separately for each group session they wish to attend.
Parent and Guardian Loss Grief Peer Support Group (Ages 18+)
Open Group Format.
Every Wednesday via Zoom
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
This open group is loss specific, meaning, all group members have experienced the loss of a parent, step-parent, grandparent, foster parent, and/or primary caregiver/guardian. The Parent and Guardian Loss Grief Support Group provides individuals with an opportunity to share their loss and grief with others who have also experienced a similar loss.
To register, please email info@bereavedfamilies.ca as early as Mondays from 9:00am up until the day of the group (Wednesday) by 4:00pm, if you are an existing member. Participants must register separately for each group session they wish to attend.
Additional Closed and Time-Limited Grief Support Groups
Type, Date, and Time subject to change throughout the year.
Our closed groups are facilitated by the same facilitators for 4, 6, or 8 weeks, depending on the group. We ask for those interested to commit fully to each week for supportive group cohesion and establishing strong connections. These groups run throughout the year and are based on interest and available resources.
Closed groups provide individuals with an opportunity to share their loss and grief with others who have also experienced a similar loss or share a similar identity. Learn more about closed and open groups here.
Time-limited groups are open groups that run for a certain number of weeks. There’s no commitment to attend all sessions—come for what works for you and register for the weeks you’d like to join by following the same process as our open groups (register each week for the specific session/week you're interested in). Note that occasionally, different facilitators may lead the sessions.
2026 Closed and Time-limited Grief Support Groups (Ages 18+)
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Closed 6-Week (Virtual) BIPOC Grief Healing Circle: January start
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Time-limited 8-Week (Virtual) Traumatic Loss Grief Support Group: March start
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Time-limited 8-Week (Virtual) Traumatic Loss Grief Support Group: June start
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Time-limited 8-Week (Virtual) Grief Support Group for Racialized Communities (Halton residents only): September start
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Time-limited 8-Week (Virtual) Traumatic Loss Grief Support Group: October start
Subscribe to our newsletter or email us at info@bereavedfamilies.ca to receive updates about our groups.
Facebook Grief Peer Support Group (Ages 16+)
Anytime, Anywhere
Do you prefer to chat with others when you can as it fits your schedule? Are you looking for something more private when it comes to getting support? Want to meet others who share similar experiences?
Join Our Facebook Support Group Today.
Our Facebook Peer Support Group is moderated on occasion. We emphasize and encourage the group members to post and support each other within the group. To join, click the link above and make sure to answer the group rules before sending us a request. The group is for those ages 16+.