Local Support Groups

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.


BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR :


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 5 – 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 515-223-2827 or visit www.amandathepanda.org

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR LOSS OF CHILD

Compassionate Friends

Self-help organization for bereaved families after the death of a child. Meets the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, Children's Butterfly Garden Reception Room, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines. Contact from other parents who have also had a child die, provides the opportunity to talk to someone who has "been there." Lending library and newsletter available. Sibling and grandparent support also.

Group Leader: Lucy Suvalsky (515) 991-0581
Main Phone Number: (515) 635-1678
Email: contact@tcfdfm.org

Iowa SIDS Foundation

The Iowa SIDS Foundation is a statewide non-profit health organization dedicated to providing emotional support to SIDS and SUID families, educating professionals and the general public about SIDS and funding medical research into the causes of SIDS.

2963 100th Street, Suite #2
Urbandale, IA 50322
E-mail: info@iowasids.org
Contact: Casey Mausercasey@iowasids.org
515-965-7655

BEREAVEMENT/HOSPICE SUPPORT GROUPS WITH UNITYPOINT

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A CHILD

  • GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH OF A CHILD AT ANY AGE (INFANT THROUGH ADULTHOOD).
  • MEETS THE SECOND MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 6:30 P.M. AT SMOKEY ROW COFFEE SHOP, 1530 SW VINTAGE PARKWAY IN ANKENY.

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A PARENT

  • QUARTERLY GRIEF SUPPORT WORKSHOP FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOSS OF ONE OR BOTH OF THEIR PARENTS.
  • MEETS IN FEBRUARY, MAY, AUGUST, AND NOVEMBER, AND ALL GATHERINGS INCLUDE BOTH A TACTILE ACTIVITY AND DISCUSSION.

GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A SPOUSE/PARTNER

  • GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE DEATH OF A SPOUSE OR PARTNER.
  • MEETS THE FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH AT 10:00 A.M. AT LUTHERAN HOSPITAL IN CONFERENCE ROOM 1, 700 E. UNIVERSITY AVENUE, DES MOINES.

THE JOURNEY THROUGH GRIEF

  • THIS SIX-SESSION EDUCATIONAL GROUP MEETS ON A ROLLING BASIS 3X PER THE YEAR AT VARIOUS AREAS IN THE METRO

MONTHLY WORKSHOPS

  • THESE ONE-TIME SPECIAL EVENTS ARE DESIGNED TO HELP YOU PROCESS YOUR GRIEF WITH A MORE TACTILE MEDIUM.
  • EXAMPLES INCLUDE FISHING, POTTERY, MEMORIAL SERVICES, COOKING FOR ONE, WRITING, AND MORE!
  • YOU CAN JOIN US FOR ONE WORKSHOP OR SEVERAL; THEY DIFFER IN TERMS OF TYPE, LENGTH, AND SCHEDULE.

NO ONE ROAMS ALONE (RESTORATIVE OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AND MOVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP)

  • WALK WITH US AROUND THE LOOP AT GRAY’S LAKE, OR ENJOY NATURE WHILE SITTING AT ONE OF THE PICNIC AREAS.
  • MEETS THE SECOND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE NW PARKING LOT OF GRAY’S LAKE PARK.

UNITYPOINT HOSPICE
11333 AURORA AVENUE
URBANDALE, IOWA 50322
Contact Info:
Anne Alesch, MDiv
(515) 782-6149
anne.alesch@unitypoint.org

AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has many resources for survivors; go to their website and search by zip code.

afsp.org

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR LOSS OF A SPOUSE

Life After Death of Spouse (LADOS)

LADOS is a group o widowed persons like yourself. We meet together monthly to help ourselves and one another understand and work through the many dimensions of grief, sorrow and pain which follow the death of a spouse.

LADOS meets:

The second Sunday of each month at Grace United Methodist Church at 7:00 p.m.

www.dmarcunited.org/services/LASOS/

Bari Hoskins 515-278-2494

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR GRIEVING CHILDREN

AMANDA THE PANDA SUPPORT GROUPS

Children (ages 5-17) grieving the death of a loved one meet in separate groups with two facilitators per group for 8 weeks on Monday evenings in the fall, winter and spring. Starting at 6:00 p.m. a meal is served and groups conclude at 7:30 p.m. No Charge.

www.everystep.org
1821 Grand Ave.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
Contact: 515-223-4847

CAMP AMANDA - for grieving children, teens and adults

This weekend grief camp is held in April and September for grieving children (6 years and older), teens and adults. Camp dates and application forms are posted on the website. No charge.

www.everystep.org
1821 Grand Ave.
West Des Moines, Iowa 50265
Contact: 515-223-4847

GRIEF SUPPORT - by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church

An interactive discussion-based curriculum which helps teens who have lost a loved one go through the grief process with others who are experiencing the same emotional situations. Activities take place at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

www.gldc.church
Contact: Pastor Tim Phillips 515-276-1700
8301 Aurora Ave.,
Urbandale, Iowa 50322

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ALL

TOG

TOG "Touching Our Grief"—This monthly group for adults meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 5:30-7 at EveryStep’s Bright Kavanagh Center, 3000 Easton Blvd.

Understanding Your Grief

This is an 8-week educational/support group we offer 3 times per year. Every participant gets a book and a journal for use during the group. The flyer lists the dates for the next session, but feel free to call or check the website for the next group offering throughout the year.

Braving Grief

Our Amanda the Panda program offers these groups for children, teens, and adults. They are 6-week groups and are offered 5 times per year. They include a Traumatic Loss group, a Little Footprints group, and Grief in Common (for ages 5-adult). Again, the flyer lists the dates for the next session, but checking the website will give you dates throughout the year. For the most accurate, up-to-date information, please visit our EveryStep Website where we have a list of events including all of the grief support groups available at:

https://www.everystep.or/services/grief-loss
Denise Nahnsen- Hospice Bereavement Counselor
Office: (515) 333-5810
Mobile: (515) 493-9694
Email: dnahnsen@everystep.org
EveryStep
3000 Easton Blvd.
Des Moines, Iowa 50317

AMANDA THE PANDA SUPPORT GROUPS

Adults grieving the death of a loved one meet with two facilitators per group for 8 weeks on Monday evenings in the fall, winter and spring. A meal is served at 6:00 p.m. and groups conclude at 7:30 p.m. There is no charge. (Groups are available for children and teens 6-17 at the same time.)

www.amandathepanda.org
1000 73rd St., Suite 12
Windsor Heights, Iowa 50324
Contact: Charlene "Charlie" Kiesling
1-877-533-4847

Mind and Spirit Counseling Center

Counseling that provides understanding, hope and healing in a variety of areas including: grief and loss, anxiety, depression, stress, self-esteem, relationship problems, parent-child issues, and spiritual matters. Compassionate counselors take a mind, body and spirit approach to helping individual adults, couples and families to live more fully. Innovative services for counseling children and adolescents. An independent non-profit organization providing counseling through insurance and/or on a sliding scale or ability-to-pay basis. Office hours 8-6 Monday-Friday, evening hours available.

info@mindspiritcenter.org
8553 Urbandale Avenue
Urbandale, Iowa 50322
Phone:515-274-4006

Bereavement Support Groups by Mercy One Hospice

WYG Education and Support Group
Spring/Summer group meets on Saturday mornings: 5/4, 5/11, 5/18, 6/1, 6/8, 6/15

We will break for Memorial Day Weekend
To register and for more information call 515-643-8400
Email: ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

Autumn group

meets on Saturday mornings: 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19, 10/26

To register and for more information call 515-643-8400
Email: ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

Winter group

meets on Saturday mornings: 1/18, 1/25, 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22 (3/1 for inclement weather)

To register and for more information call 515-643-8400
Email: ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

Grief and the Holidays

Celebrating our loved ones and sharing coping strategies for the holidays
November 10, 1:30 pm

To register and for more information call 515-643-8400
Email: ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

For the Love of Books

(a book group model support group) Meets 4 times a year.
July 17 at 3:00 Dancing at the Pity Party: A Dead Mom Graphic Memoir by Tyler Feder
October 9 at 3:00 Voices of the Grieving Heart ed. Mike Bernhardt
January 8 at 3:00 H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

To register and for more information call 515-643-8400
Email: ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

Putting the Pieces Together: Grief and Creativity

Putting the Pieces Together: Grief and Creativity at The Des Moines Art Center. We are partnering with the Des Moines Art Center to provide a way to express emotion without words and to put together pieces of grief through mosaic making and other art forms. All that are required is interest in making something new and two Saturday mornings. No fee or experience necessary. Please call for next class.

To register and for more information call 515-643-8400
Email: ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

Managing Grief During the Holidays:

An educational event that will meet one time on a Sunday afternoon in early November to help prepare us for the holiday blues. Our next meeting is November 10th.

Memories and Butterflies:

Our annual memorial service and butterfly release will be held on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 7:00pm at First Baptist Church in Johnston. The greater Des Moines Community is welcome. Contact us for your invitation and photo release.

For the Love of Books: For the Love of Books is for people aged 15 and older. We will read books based upon the themes of healing and moving forward after a loss, and will discuss your questions, reactions to what you read, the author, etc. We meet four times a year.

July17, 2024 Someday, Maybe by Onyi Nwabineli
October 9, 2024 Voices of the Grieving Heart ed. Mike Bernhardt
January 8, 2025 H is for Hawk Helen MacDonald
April 16, 2025 The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
July 16, 2025 Someone You Love is Gone: A Novel by Gurjinder Basran

WYG:

In What’s Your Grief? we will learn about grief and coping, and share our thoughts/experiences related to grief. We will use a different style of learning and coping by utilizing lists. This style is excellent for short attention spans during the stressful time of grief. Classes are 6 weeks in length. Each class starts: September 21st, January 8th, 2025. Call or email for more information.

Rev Ann Luchterhand MDiv – ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org
Chaplain/Bereavement Coordinator 515-643-8400
Mercy One Des Moines Hospice:
500 SW 7th St, Ste 104
Des Moines IA 50309

GRIEF COUNSELING

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE DIOCESE OF DES MOINES

Services provided to families, couples, and individuals struggling with a variety of issues including grief, loss, sexual abuse, and family conflict.

601 Grand Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa 50309
Information: 515-237-5045

Mine & Spirit Counseling Center

(formerly Des Moines Pastoral Counseling Center)

The Mind and Spirit Counseling Center is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community for our clients and employees. We recognize that diversity and inclusion of age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion and disabilities will enhance our ability to honor our core values of equity, respect, compassion, and creating accessibility to high-quality services for all. Committed to creating a diverse and inclusive community for our clients and employees. We recognize that diversity and inclusion of age, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion and disabilities will enhance our ability to honor our core values of equity, respect, compassion, and creating accessibility to high-quality services for all.

www.mindspiritcenter.org
8553 Urbandale Avenue, Urbandale, IA 50322
Information: 515-274-4006

Every Step Care & Support Services

Support groups are hosted at EveryStep Hospice locations in eight Iowa communities and at the EveryStep Grief & Loss Services office (home of Amanda the Panda) in West Des Moines. EveryStep Grief & Loss Services' bereavement counselors are available to meet with families or visit by phone. These services are available to anyone (not limited to hospice patients’ families). The counselor can provide families with information or simply lend a friendly ear.

All support groups are free and open to the public. To learn what services are available in your area, visit our events calendar https://www.everystep.org/about/events or call an EveryStep location near you https://www.everystep.org/locations
Centerville: (641) 856-5502
Mount Pleasant: (319) 385-4472
Des Moines: (515) 333-5810
Osceola: (641) 342-2888
Mount Ayr: (641) 464-2088
website: https://www.everystep.org/services/grief-loss

MercyOne Hospice

Grief Support Group

  • We will share a soup supper
  • We will learn the Touchstones of Grief
  • We will share our unique grief experiences
  • 1 time per week for 6 weeks
  • First meeting Thursday, September 14, 4:30 PM
  • Meeting at the MercyOne Hospice office

Please RSVP by September 10th for soup and to get directions
515-643-8400
Ann.luchterhand@trinity-health.org

The Compassionate Friends

Supporting Family After a Child Dies

The Compassionate Friends Central Iowa Chapter meets: 7pm the 1st Tuesday of the month, at Hamilton's, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines IA

Chapter Phone Number: 515-635-1678
Email: Contact@tcfdsm.org
Website: tcfdsm.org