Finding Support on Your Grief Journey

Let’s be real—grief can feel incredibly lonely. Even when you're surrounded by people, even when someone says “I’m here if you need anything,” it can still feel like no one really gets what you’re going through. And that’s not because they don’t care. It’s because grief is deeply personal, sometimes wordless, and often misunderstood.

But here’s the good news: support is out there. And it comes in more forms than you might expect.

What Does “Support” Even Mean When You’re Grieving?

Support isn’t just casseroles and check-in texts (though we love a solid casserole, preferably a breakfast one). It’s about feeling seen. It’s about having spaces where you don’t have to explain your pain, where you can be honest, messy, quiet, angry, exhausted—or all of the above.

And it looks different for everyone. One person might need a therapist, while another just wants a friend who won’t try to “fix it.” The key is figuring out what support looks like for you.

Let’s break it down.

1. Personal Support

This is your inner circle: the friend who lets you ugly cry without judgment, the cousin who texts a heart emoji every morning, the partner who does the dishes because they know you’re running on fumes.

Examples:

• Friends or family who listen without giving advice

• A co-worker who covers for you on a tough day

• Your dog, who doesn’t need words to understand you’re hurting
  

2. Professional Support

Sometimes we need a space that’s just for us—somewhere we can process our loss without worrying about how it lands on someone else. That’s where mental health professionals come in.

Examples:

• Therapists, counselors, social workers

• Support group facilitators

• Faith leaders or spiritual guides

(And hey—if you're not ready for a whole therapy relationship, even one session can help you feel more grounded.)

3. Community Support

Grief can feel isolating, but when we step into spaces where people “get it,” something shifts. That sense of me too is powerful. Community can come in all sorts of forms. With the rise of social media, and especially after the pandemic, there has been a rise in digital communities, especially for things like grief.

Examples:

• In-person or virtual grief groups

• Online forums or grief-informed Instagram accounts (we see you, #griefclub)

• Workshops, retreats, or remembrance events
  

4. Spiritual Support

For many, grief cracks open deep spiritual questions—about life, death, purpose, and meaning. In times of loss, leaning into your faith, belief system, or spiritual practices can bring a sense of comfort, grounding, and connection.

Spiritual support isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about being held by something bigger than yourself. Whether that’s prayer, church community, meditation, or simply talking to God (or the Universe), spiritual care can be a powerful anchor.

Examples:

• Praying, meditating, or attending a religious service

• Meeting with a pastor, priest, imam, rabbi, or spiritual counselor

• Finding meaning in sacred texts, rituals, or music

• Being surrounded by a faith-based community that offers care and compassion
  

If you’ve felt disconnected from your faith since your loss, know that’s normal too. Grief can shake our beliefs. You’re allowed to wrestle with the big stuff and still find support in spiritual spaces.

5. Self-Support

Yes, you count as a support system too. Grief takes up a ton of energy—emotionally, mentally, physically. The way you care for yourself matters.

Examples:

• Giving yourself permission to rest (without guilt)

• Journaling or voice-noting your thoughts

• Moving your body in gentle ways

• Saying “no” more often

6. Unexpected Support

Sometimes support comes from places you don’t expect. A song lyric that hits differently. A random stranger who holds the door when you're barely holding it together. A grief meme that makes you laugh when you didn’t think you could.

These small moments count. Let them.

So How Do You Know What Support You Need?

That’s the hard part—and the beautiful part. There’s no formula. Some days you’ll crave company. Other days, you’ll want to be left alone. Both are valid. Grief shifts. So will your needs.

That’s why I created something that helps you see the support around you—so when things feel foggy, you have a reminder of what’s available.

Introducing: Grief Support Bingo

Think of it as part game, part gentle reminder. Grief Support Bingo is a downloadable tool that helps you identify different kinds of support—people, places, and coping strategies—that can hold you up during hard days.

Each square includes things like:
“Texted a friend who gets it”
“Journaled about how I’m really feeling”
“Cuddled with a pet”
“Leaned into my faith or spiritual practice”
“Showed up to a grief group (even virtually)”

You can use it as a check-in, a self-care prompt, or a way to show yourself just how resourceful and supported you actually are—even when it doesn’t feel like it.

Download it now for free and keep it somewhere visible (your fridge, your phone wallpaper, your grief journal).

You don’t have to do grief alone. And you don’t have to figure it all out today.

Start with one square. One connection. One moment of care.

You've got this. And I’ve got you.

—
Want more tools like this? Follow @griefology.co on Instagram or sign up for the newsletter to get weekly grief support, free downloads, and gentle reminders that your grief matters.