The Crosswalk
A Roots & Roads resource for navigating serious illness and end-of-life care decisions.
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the light remains
"There are some who bring a light so great to the world, that even after thay have gone the light remains." - Anonymous
Bereavement
Grief is a natural reaction to loss; we can experience it emotionally, spiritually, and physically. When a loved one dies, grief can manifest in ways as unique as each person’s life. There is no one “right” way to grieve but there are resources to support us through this journey. At times we may feel all alone as we walk the path of grief and loss, but while our grief is unique to who we are, we are also part of a community of people who can provide needed perspectives, words of comfort, a listening ear, and the strength to sit with us in our most difficult times. It is important to recognize that there is no “getting over” grief, but by leaning into it with self-compassion and support, we can recognize that each step we take in healing has purpose and meaning. This section provides information and resources that can be accessed online, in local support groups, and through individual bereavement counseling opportunities.
Note: Many hospice providers offer grief counseling (or can refer you to a grief counselor or support group) regardless of whether your loved one was on their service. Contact a local hospice in your area for more information.
finding support through reading
Whether you or someone you know is grieving, reading can help you cope by offering up new perspectives.
Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss, and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief
Author: Joanne Cacciatore
"If you love, you will grieve—and nothing is more mysteriously central to becoming fully human."
Understanding your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart
Author: Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD
"Sorrow is an inseparable dimension of our human experience. We suffer after a loss because we are human. And in our suffering, we are transformed."
It’s OK That You’re Not OK: Meeting Grief and Loss in a Culture That Doesn’t Understand
Author: Megan Devine
"Some things cannot be fixed; they can only be carried. Grief like yours, love like yours, can only be carried."
additional resources
Resources below may be accessed online, and include information on subjects such as complicated grief, rituals and traditions, how to support someone who is grieving, and different ways of coping with loss.
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Tu Nidito
A non-profit organization specializing in providing, free of charge, emotional support to children, teens, young adults, and families impacted by the diagnosis of a serious medical condition or death of someone special.
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The Learning Community for Loss, Grief, and Transition
TLC teaches the skills needed to identify and understand grief, and how to offer tender loving care to others and to yourself—making it easier to make a difference in someone’s life.
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Psychology Today
Psychology Today's website provides detailed listings for mental health professionals, searchable by state, in the U.S.
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"The death of a loved one can send shockwaves through a family’s health and wellbeing. It can be daunting and intimidating to engage with a bereaved person during this time, but it is important for them to know they are not alone and their community cares for them. Whether you are looking to support bereaved children, parents, siblings or spouses, each family member is grieving their loss. Each member may respond or grieve differently, but there are some common things you can do to be supportive."
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What’s Your Grief
You don’t have to grieve alone. What’s Your Grief? is a place for grief education, articles, sharing, support & more.
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Dougy Center
Dougy Center offers a wide range of resources for people of all ages who are grieving before and after a death.
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Good Grief
Good Grief builds resilience in children, strengthens families, and empowers communities to grow from loss and adversity.
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The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss
Roots & Roads Recorded Webinar
Loss of a loved one is something everyone experiences, and for as long as humans have existed, we have struggled when a loved one dies. Poets and playwrights have written about the dark cloak of grief, the deep yearning, and devastating heartache of loss. But until now, we have had little scientific perspective on this universal experience. Join us as we hear from author, Mary Frances O’Connor, renowned grief expert, neuroscientist, and psychologist talk about her new book, The Grieving Brain: The Surprising Science of How We Learn from Love and Loss; and learn what happens in our brain when we grieve.
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Children & Grief
Roots & Roads Recorded Webinar
In the state of Arizona, 1 in 14 children will experience the death of a parent or a sibling by the time they turn 18.
Adults often struggle to find the resources to help these children cope with their loss. This workshop will cover the different ways in which children grieve and special factors to consider when supporting a grieving child or teen. It is designed to provide tips and resources to help family members and other adults who work closely with the youth in our community learn how to be present and supportive to grieving children and teens.
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Pathways Through Grief During the Holidays
Roots & Roads Recorded Webinar
The holidays can hold great joy, love, and connection. For many, they can also hold challenges, difficulties, and pain. This may be especially true for those who are grieving a loss, whether it is the death of a loved one, a job loss, a divorce, an estrangement, financial losses, a move to a new location, or loss of identity, to name but a few. If you are grieving, how would you want to be cared for and how can you care for yourself? How would you want to support and care for others who are grieving?
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Ambiguous Loss & Dementia: Living with Uncertainty
Roots & Roads Recorded Webinar
Caregiver stress and burden may sometimes be misunderstood, with the real culprit being ambiguous loss - when the person is physically present but psychologically different from who they once were. Learn definitions and concrete strategies to infuse hope, meaning and promote self-care.
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The content on this website, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and all other materials, is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition. The Foundation has done its best to ensure that the information provided on this website and the resources available are accurate and provide valuable information; however, no material on this website is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The Foundation assumes no duty to correct or update the website nor to resolve or clarify any inconsistent information that might be a part of the website. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your licensed physician or other medical care provider.