Bereavement & Grief Support

Grief is a process that each person experiences uniquely in his or her own way. There is no doubt that grief comes with pain, a pain that varies in different degrees for each person. Emotions vary as well. The most common reactions to the death of a loved one are: shock, denial, anger, guilt, sadness, and finally acceptance. These may be felt in sequence or all at once.

Throughout the Diocese of Orange, one can find bereavement and grief support ministries. There is a downloadable and printable version of the below listing here.

ORANGE COUNTY BEREAVEMENT AND GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS

PARISH GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS

Anaheim Hills

  • San Antonio de Padua Catholic Church 5800 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd Anaheim, CA 92807
  • 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month, 9:30 am-11:00 am in Conference Rm #1
  • Contact: Elizabeth Bicknell at 714-279-9180

Brea

  • St. Angela Merici Catholic Church 585 S. Walnut Ave. Brea, CA 92821
  • 12-week program
  • Contact: Deacon Mike Shaffer at 714-309-2933

Buena Park

  • St. Pius V Catholic Church 7691 Orangethorpe Avenue Buena Park, CA 90621
  • 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month – 7:30 p.m. in Nativity Room
  • Contact: John Alba at 714-522-2193

Costa Mesa

  • St. Joachim Catholic Church 1964 Orange Avenue Costa Mesa, CA 92627
  • Contact: Elsa at 714-790-9861

Cypress

  • St. Irenaeus Catholic Church 5201 Evergreen Cypress, CA 90630
  • Grief Share Support Group
  • Contact: Jennifer Dagarag at [email protected]

Fullerton

  • St. Mary’s Catholic Church 400 W Commonwealth Fullerton, CA 92832
  • Grief Share Support Group, Tuesdays 7-9 pm
  • Contact: Deacon Tony Mercado at 714-525-2500

Huntington Beach

  • St. Bonaventure Catholic Church 16400 Springdale St. Huntington Beach, CA 92649
  • Grief Support – weekly sessions on Thursdays 7 p.m.
  • Contact: Louise Dow at 714-846-3359

Irvine

  • St. John Neumann Catholic Church 5101 Alton Parkway Irvine, CA 92604
  • Tuesdays weekly at 9:30 a.m.
  • Contact: Jane Roschmann at 714-667-2341

Lake Forest

  • Santiago de Compostela Catholic Church 21682 Lake Forest Drive Lake Forest, CA 92630
  • Register on www.griefshare.org

Mission Viejo

  • St. Kilian Catholic Church 26872 Estanciero Drive Mission Viejo, CA 92691
  • Bethany Bereavement Group – Sessions are held each Thursday at 1 p.m.
  • Contact: 949-586-4440

Placentia

  • St. Joseph Catholic Church 717 N. Bradford Avenue Placentia, CA 92870
  • Passages Grief Support Group
  • Contact: Teresa Thompson 714-996-1846 or text 714-458-6191

San Juan Capistrano

  • Mission Basilica Pastoral Center 31520 Camino Capistrano San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
  • Widows group on Tuesdays starting Nov. 9
  • Contact: 949-234-1360

Yorba Linda

  • St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church 19767 Yorba Linda Blvd. Yorba Linda, CA 92886
  • 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month in St. Elizabeth Room
  • Contact: Peggy Squires at 714-270-2312

OTHER GRIEF SUPPORT GROUPS IN ORANGE COUNTY

Compassionate Friends

Grief support for the loss of a child.  Siblings over the age of 16 and grandparents also welcome.

Christ Lutheran Church

820 W Imperial Hwy,

Brea Meets every 1st Thursday of each month at 7 p.m.

or in Buena Park on the 3rd Tuesday of each month

Contact: Yolanda & George 714-335-4763

Compassionate Friends
Grief support for the loss of a child 
Lakeview Senior Center 
20 Lake Rd
Irvine, CA 92614
Meets every 1st Wednesday of each month 7-8:45 p.m.
For information, call 714-504-7042

Hoag Family Cancer Center 
1 Hoag Dr
Newport Beach, CA 92663

Facing Forward
Meets virtually, Thursdays 3-4:30 pm
For more information, call: 949-764-8358

Mariposa Women and Family Center
812 W. Town and Country Road
Orange, CA 92868
Various Grief Groups for All Ages
For more information on dates/times/registration 714-547-6494, www.mariposacenter.org

Mission Hospital Laguna Beach
31872 Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Living Life Again Support Group
11-week course / 3 times per year
For more information on dates/ locations call: 949-499-7133

Saddleback Church
1 Saddleback Pkwy.
Lake Forest, CA 92630

Grief Share – 13 week program
Contact: Elaine, 949-609-8392, [email protected]

Empty Arms Support Group
For families who have suffered the loss of a child from miscarriage or stillbirth.
Meets Sundays.
For more information, call: 949-609-8370

St. Jude Community Services
130 Bastanchury Rd.
Fullerton, CA 92835
Healing Hearts After Loss
Online and in-person options
For more information, call 877-459-3627

VITAS Healthcare Grief Support Groups
Register at www.vitas.com

Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Orange County Center
2021 East 4th Street, Ste 204
Santa Ana, CA 92705

Survivors After Suicide Attempt Support Group
8-week program for adults only.
For more information or to register, call 714-547-0885

Suicide Bereavement Support Group
8-week program for anyone who has lost someone to suicide
For more information, call 714-546-0885

SOS (Survivors of Suicide) Orange County
First Baptist Church of Garden Grove
12761 Euclid St
Garden Grove, CA 92840
Support for any adult survivor of a loved one who has committed suicide.
Meets 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month 1:30-3:30pm
Contact: Jeri Livingstone at 714-539-1429 or [email protected]
Website: www.survivorsofsuicide.us

With Hope Foundation
Suicide Bereavement Support Groups
Online Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mondays
In-person Meetings: 2nd & 4th Mondays
Contact: Heather Cram at 714-524-1996

OTHER RESOURCES