BEREAVED PARENTS USA

Bereaved Parents of the USA is a nationwide self-help organization designed to aid and support bereaved parents and their families as they struggle to survive their grief after the death of a child. Attendance at the meetings brings together newly bereaved parents and those who are farther along in their grief and have worked through many of their grief related issues.

Although most parents feel isolated in the beginning, the group helps them to know they haven't been singled out for their unspeakable hurt. The most important thing our meetings have to offer are members who listen with true empathy. They listen as parents, sibling or grandparents relate the uniqueness of the child who has died, the events that surround the death itself, the bitterness and alienation remain and the disappointment over anticipated support that does not materialize. All are reassured that there isn't a reason to hurry the hurt along, as some nonbereaved suggest.

Hearing "I know" and "I felt that way too" is reassuring. However, parents learn that each person's grief experience is unique to that individual. Those attending soon come to know that there is no right or wrong way to grieve, nor is there a timetable in grief.