Click here to join our online Grief Support Group on Facebook.

The emotional upheaval, these trying times can cause, is sometimes so overwhelming that even the support of friends and family may not help relieve the amount of sadness and grief you feel.

At Forastiere Family Funeral Home & Cremation we offer the following aftercare grief resources:

Grief Specialist
For nearly two decades, Joanne Sullivan has been our Grief Specialist helping families to find healing moments as they work through their grief journey. Her own personal and professional life experiences with loss captures her humanistic and natural compassion and expertise, as well as, her grief work and research to be a supportive resource for families.

Joanne facilitates our grief support groups, which are open to the community and free of charge. Our Grief Specialist, Joanne Sullivan, has written a book titled The Reality Of Loss.

• Grief specialist shares story, helps others cope with loss
  
• The Reality Of Loss

Grief Support Groups

Our Grief Support Groups are held several times a month at our Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St, East Longmeadow. All of our groups are free of charge, open to the community, and registration is not needed. Please see the times for our Summer sessions below. If you need more information, feel free to download our Full Circle Newsletter (above) or call our office at (413) 525-2800. You can also call our office to set up a one-on-one grief counseling appointment with Joanne.

Coping Addiction Loss 

For those who have lost a loved one due to substance abuse. Held the first Wednesday of every month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, April 5th

Wednesday, May 3rd

Wednesday, June 7th

Survivors of Suicide

For those whose life has been touched by suicide. This group is facilitated by members from the American Foundation for Suicide and Prevention/ AFSP Western Massachusetts Chapter. Held the third Monday of every month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Monday, April 17th

Monday, May 15th

Monday, June 19th

Family & Friends Support

For those who have lost a child, parent, siblings, dear relative, or friend. Held every third Wednesday of the month  from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

Wednesday, April 19th

Wednesday, May 17th

Wednesday, June 21st

Widowed Support

For anyone who has lost a spouse. Held every third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Wednesday, April 19th

Wednesday, May 17th

Wednesday, June 21st

Full Circle Quarterly Newsletter

Our Grief Specialist, Joanne Sullivan, is the author of our newsletter that is available on our website as well as through email. The newsletter is a resource that contains articles, tips, and inspirations which many families find helpful and comfort. Our grief support group calendar which highlights the types of support groups, the dates, time and place held is also found in the newsletter.  Should you like to receive our newsletter quarterly, please email us at wecare@forastiere.com

Remembrance Programs
Throughout the year, we invite the families that was our honor to serve to our funeral home for remembrance ceremonies. We gather and continue to honor and remember their loved one together. We do this in the form of our annual Remembrance Butterfly Release Ceremony, Handling the Holidays programs, Candle Lighting Ceremonies and our Spring Remembrance ceremonies. It is our belief that grief shared with others, over time, is lessened and creates a journey of healing moments.

In addition to the bereavement services for the families we serve,  we have provided some helpful grief support links below: 

Crisis, Grief and Healing

Webhealing.com, the first interactive grief website on the internet, offers discussion boards, articles, book suggestions, and advice for men and women working through every aspect of grief. The site’s founder, Tom Golden LCSW, has provided book excerpts and contact information to help those healing from loss.

GriefNet

With nearly 50 internet support groups plus a wide range of online resources, GriefNet provides support for those dealing with all types of loss. Their companion site, kidsaid.com, helps children and their parents deal with grief and loss in an appropriate and safe environment.

Grief and Loss   

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) website contains a Grief & Loss section with grief-related articles and information.

National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization   

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s website provides a host of information and resources for people facing a life-limiting illness or injury and their caregivers.

GRASP

Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing

AFSP

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention