The following grief counseling and support groups are available in our region. These organizations offer help to people who have experienced loss through death. Your funeral director can offer additional information at your request.

Bereavement Support Groups in Des Moines

Below we have provided a number of local area support groups that you may want to consider after the loss of a loved one. All of the groups welcome new members and encourage you to be as active as you want to be.

At the time of a loss and immediately after, friends and family provide a great source of comfort. But as the days pass, most of us find that the support and friendship of kindred souls who have suffered the same kind of loss is both helpful and healing.

Partnership Between Iles Funeral Homes and Amanda the Panda

Iles Funeral Homes and Amanda the Panda have partnered together to support children and families when someone they love has died. This support is provided through services which include: Weekend camps tailored to college students, children ages 6 – 17, and adults as well as support groups, Fun Days, and Holiday Support activities and programs. Amanda the Panda provides these services free of charge to our families. Amanda the Panda’s mission is to restore grieving children and families back into the mainstream of their lives through innovative services that provide hope and healing. For additional information call 515.223.4847 or visit www.amandathepanda.org

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR LOSS OF CHILD

Compassionate Friends
http://members.aol.com/tcfiowa
The Compassionate Friends is a self-help organization offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents. The Central Iowa Chapter meets at 7:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver in Des Moines. Contact the office at 278-2097.

Empty Arms
Empty Arms is a self-help group for parents who have lost a newborn baby. They meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the New Hope United Methodist Church, 4525 Beaver. Runs concurrently with Compassionate Friends. Contact the office at 278-2097.

Iowa SIDS Foundation
http://www.iowasids.org
Iowa SIDS Foundation is organized to provide support to families of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome victims. The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in the Kelly Room. Meetings start at 7:00 p.m. For additional information contact the office at 279-6928.

Grief Support for Parents
Mercy Hospital sponsors grief support classes, support groups and counseling for parents who have lost an infant 0-2 years. Classes are held on Tuesday evenings. Please contact Teresa Gyldenuand at 225-1015 for class times and locations. Pre-registration is required. There is no charge.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP FOR LOSS BY SUICIDE

Coping After A Suicide Support Group
Coping After A Suicide support group is sponsored by the Polk County Victim Services. Parents, children, spouse and friends are encouraged to attend. The group meets twice a month on the second Thursday of each month from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. and the last Saturday of each month from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Polk County Victim Services, 525 SW 5th Street, Suite H, Des Moines, Iowa 50309. Services are free and confidential. For additional information, call 286-3600.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR LOSS OF A SPOUSE

LADOS
LADOS "Life After Death Of Spouse" is sponsored by the Des Moines Area Religious Council. It meets the second Sunday evening of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ at 42nd and Ingersoll Avenue in Des Moines. Please contact the Des Moines Area Religious Council at 277-6969 for additional information.

Widowed Person's Service
Widowed Person's Service is sponsored by the Des Moines Area Religious Council. They offer individual support by trained volunteers. They work closely with LADOS. Call 277-6969.

Widowed Persons of Central Iowa
Widowed Persons of Central Iowa is a social group to encourage widowed individual to meet new friends and enjoy activities together. Call Barbara Wolf at 224-3940 for additional information.

Beginning Experiences
Beginning Experiences for widowed men and women coordinating retreat weekends. Call Cleo Scheidel at (515) 221-1371 for additional information.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ALL

TOG
TOG "Touching Our Grief" is sponsored by Hospice of Central Iowa, 401 Railroad Place, West Des Moines, Iowa. It is a support group for adults who are grieving the loss of a spouse, relative or friend which meets monthly. Call 1-800-806-9934, 1-515-274-3400 or visit www.hospiceofcentraliowa.org for other locations, dates and times of this and other loss support groups.

Grief Relief
Grief Relief is a support group for youth grades 7-12 to meet with others who are adjusting to a death loss. This three-hour grief support workshop is offered several times a year at The Bright Center, 401 Railroad Place, West Des Moines, Iowa. Call 1-800-806-9934, 1-515-274-3400 or visit www.hospiceofcentraliowa.org for their website calendar.

AARP Grief & Loss Programs
AARP Grief and Loss Programs provides trained telephone support volunteers who themselves have lost a loved one. All calls are confidential and adults of any age may call. You do not need to be a member of AARP. Call 1-866-797-2277 toll free from 9 am to 9 pm, ET Daily or visit their website at www.griefandloss.org.