Need 1. Acknowledge the reality of the death. Whether the death was sudden or anticipated, acknowledging the full reality of the loss may take weeks or months. You may move back and forth between protesting and encountering the reality of the death. You may discover yourself replaying events surrounding the death and confronting memories, both good and bad. It’s as if each time you talk it out, the event is a little more real.

Need 2. Move toward the pain of the loss.
Expressing your thought and feelings about the death with all of their intensity is a difficult but important need. You will probably discover that you need to "dose" yourself when experiencing your pain. In other words, you cannot, nor should you try, to do this all at once.

Need 3. Continue the relationship with the person who died through memory. Embracing your memories-both happy and sad-can be a very slow and, at times, painful process that occurs in small steps. But remembering the past makes hoping for the future possible.

Need 4. Develop a new self-identity. Part of your self-identity comes from the relationships you have created with other people. When someone with whom you have a relationship dies, your self-identity naturally changes. Many people discover that as they move forward in their grief journeys, they ultimately find that some aspects of their self-identities have been positively changed. You may feel more confident, for example, or more open to life’s challenges.

Need5. Search for meaning. When someone loved dies, you naturally question the meaning and purpose of life. Coming to terms with those questions is another need you must meet if you are to progress in your grief journey.Move at your own pace as you recognize that allowing yourself to hurt and find ongoing meaning in you life will blend into each other, with the latter overtaking the former as healing occurs Need

RECONCILING YOUR GRIEF
You may have heard that your grief journey’s end will come when you resolve, or recover from, your grief. But your journey will never end. People do not "get over" grief.
Reconciliation is a term I find more appropriate for what occurs as the mourner works to integrate the new reality of moving forward in life without the physical presence of the person who died. With reconciliation comes a renewed sense of energy and confidence, an ability to fully acknowledge the reality of the death and a capacity to become re-involved in the activities of living.
In reconciliation, the sharp, ever-present pain of grief gives rise to a renewed sense of meaning and purpose. Your feeling of loss will not completely disappear, yet they will soften, and the intense pangs of grief will become less frequent. Hope for a continued life will emerge as you are able to make commitments to the future, realizing that the person who died will never be forgotten, yet knowing that your life can and will move forward

Grief Support Groups

Note: The following grief support groups are offered through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, along with additional resources that have been made available to help bereaved families.

Our staff at Church and Chapel Funeral Service wish to give our heartfelt thank-you for this list of support groups and to the caring people who give of themselves, their support and help to those who grieve the loss of a loved one.

Support groups do change schedules. It is best to call ahead to confirm specific information.

Archdiocese of Milwaukee
Randy Nohl, Director, Adult & Family Ministry
414-769-3440 or 800-769-9373 ext. 440
nohlr@archmil.org
Barbara Kreiser, Senior Secretary, Adult & Family Ministry
414-769-3444 or 800-769-9373 ext. 444
krieserb@archmil.org

1. Parish by Location

Greater Milwaukee Area

1. South West

St. Alphonsus ~ 5960 W. Loomis Rd., Greendale, 53129, 414-421-2442. Call Kathy Knutel 414-421-3796, 5912 Shamrock Lane, Greendale, 53129. Group meets 10 – 11:30 a.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays. Carrie Debinski & Nancy Snyder are now facilitating support groups. Call the parish for Carrie’s number. Contact Sr. Eileen Kazmierowicz (Parish Family Minister) for any questions. Parish email is stals@st-alphonsus.org
Blessed Sacrament ~ 3100 S. 41st St., Milwaukee, 53215. A group for Widows and Widowers started October of 2003 and meets the 2nd Saturday of the month. For more information and the next meeting date, call Sr. Connie Taylor
414-643-5678.
St. Gregory the Great ~ 3160 S. 63rd St., Milwaukee, 53219. Group meets the 4th Tuesday of the month from 12noon until 2 p.m. Daytime call the parish nurse, Sr. JoMarie Zielke, 414-543-8292 for further information and specific dates for the series. Parish email is coelian@asapnet.net. A five session Bereavement Series is also offered in the spring & fall for anyone experiencing a loss.
St. Mary ~ 9520 W. Forest Home Ave., Hales Corners, 53130. Call Mary Matestic 414-425-2174. Mary facilitates a Holiday Support Group, March 3-April 7th, a six-week session. Parish email is stmaryhc@aol.com.
"My Good Mourning Place" ~ Housed at the former convent located on the Blessed Sacrament Church campus at 40th St. and Oklahoma Ave. The bereavement center was established to reach out to children from ages 3 to 19 and their families who have been touched by death and to provide a caring place for them to cry and help them gain the necessary tools to deal with loss. For more information call Sr. Connie Taylor at 414-643-5678.
"Kyle’s Korner" ~ 1502 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, 53215 or 7106 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, 53212 (Main office), 414-831-5953 (phone # is the same for both addresses). Kyle’s Korner is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assisting children, teens and their families who have experienced grief due to loss of a loved one through death. Families are offered support, understanding, empathy and education in a safe environment that is conductive to acceptance, respect, trust and caring throughout the healing process.

2. East

Gesu Parish ~ 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, 53201-0495. "The Open Door" Grief Support Group is for those who have lost a loved one. They will meet in the Gesu Parish Rose Room in the lower church level every 2nd Sunday of the month starting July from 10:15 to 12 noon. Persons may attend one or several sessions as desired. For more information email Marcia Isherwood at marcia.isherwood@marquette.edu.

3. Near East

St. Sebastian ~ 5400 W. Washington Blvd., Milwaukee, 53208. Young widowed and children. Children meet separately and counselors are available. They meet on the 4th Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Call: 414-453-1061. Parish e-mail is: stsebp@exepc.com

4. North West

St. Dominic ~ 18255 W. Capitol Dr., Brookfield, 53045-1422. Call Susan Peterson 262-781-3480. They have a four parish support group; St. Mary, Elm Grove; St. Joseph, Wauwatosa; and St. John Vianney, Brookfield. Susan Peterson’s e-mail is: susan.peterson@stdominic.net
St. John Vianney ~ 1755 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield, 53005. Twice a year. "Hope Series" Four morning sessions in October and four are evening sessions in May. There are occasional one-day programs available. Call May Kaminski 262-796-3944. Parish e-mail is: sjv@stjohnv.org.

5. North East

St. James ~ 11300 N. St. James Lane, 28W, Mequon, 53092. Contact Jim or Carol Ott, 262-241-9411. This group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month, 7-8:30 p.m., lower level of the Parish Center, St. John Room. Carol Hawke, 262-242-9434 has a follow-up ministry at the parish. Parish e-mail is stjmail@stscj.org.

6. West

Mary Queen of Heaven ~ 2322 S. 106th St. West Allis, 53227-2001. Call Ann Spoerl 414-328-5568. Second Saturdays of the month at 11 a.m. Parish e-mail is: mqh@execpc.com
Holy Apostles Parish ~ 16000 W. National Ave., New Berlin, 53151. No formal group is currently meeting, but call Jane Hoida 414-905-1473 for further information.

7. Waukesha County

Good Shepherd ~ N88 W17658 Christman Rd., Menomonee Falls, 53051. Call 262-255-2210. Adults meet on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at 7 p.m. The children’s group meets in Room 216. Sponsored by Community Memorial Hospital in Menomonee Falls, meet simultaneously with Lois Pearson who is with
Care Connection. Call Lois at 262-251-1001. Parish e-mail is: goodshepherd@gdinet.com
Waukesha ~ No set location. Contact Kathy Bruning, 262-524-9965.
"Loss of A Loved One." Kathy conducts support groups 2/3 times a year.
Call her for locations, dates, and times. E-mail is starlab@execpc.com
St. Leonard ~ W173 S7743 Westwood Dr., Muskego, 53150-9160. Call Carlene
Larson 262-679-1773. No group currently meeting, but Carlene will speak with anyone personally who is grieving. Carlene’s e-mail is: larsonc@archmil.org
St. Paul ~ P.O. Box 95, Genesee Depot, 53127. Kathy Labinski 262-968-3865, occasionally facilitates a group. Parish e-mail is: saintpaul@archmil.org
St. William ~ 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha, 53188. Contact Joe Nettesheim 262-547-2763, ext 213 or swadult@execpc.com for more information. There is a series several times a year.

H. Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth Counties.
All Saints Medical Center ~ 3801 Spring St., Racine, WI 53405
Meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Medical Center. Contact Jean in Spiritual Care Services 262-687-2259.
Racine Parents "Caring and Sharing" ~ a chapter of The Compassionate Friends. Contact Diane Beck 262-886-0828-also see page 6.
"Joyful Again." ~ a 2 day widow retreat. The retreat is held at St. Michael Episcopal Church, 132 Morningwood Rd., Racine, WI 53402. Contact Joan Spinks 262-681-1008.
Racine Assembly of God, "Grief Share," ~ 1325 Airline Rd., Racine, WI 53406. 262-886-5644
St. Mary/St. Mark Parishes ~ Meets at St. Mary’s Parish, 7307 40th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53142-1923, the 2nd and 4th Saturday mornings a month from 9 – 10:30 a.m. Call Karen Metallo, St. Mark’s Pastoral Associate, 262-656-7373 or stmark-kenosha@acronet.net
Margaret Ann’s Place, A Center for Grieving Children, Teens and Families 7527 10th Ave. Kenosha, WI 53143. 262-656-9656.

9. Ozaukee, Washington and Dodge Counties

St. Frances Cabrini ~ 1025 S. 7th Ave., West Bend, 53095. Meets monthly on the 1st Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the Education Center. For more information call Marty Guarino 262-338-2366 or marty@stfcabrini.com
St. Gabriel ~ 3727 Hubertus Rd., Hubertus, 53033. Call Maureen Mitchell, at home, 262-673-2986 or at work, 262-628-2840. Another contact person is Sandy Hennes, RN at 262-628-1227 or e-mail: mmitchell@sgabriel.org
St. James ~ 11300 N. St. James Lane, 28W Mequon, 53092. Contact Jim or Carol Ott, 262-241-9411. This group meets the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month, 7-8:30 p.m., lower level of the Parish Center, St. John Romm. Carol Hawke 262-242-9434 has a follow-up ministry at the parish. Parish e-mail is: stjmail@stscj.org

10. Fond du Lac and Sheboygan Counties

St. Agnes Hospital ~ 430 E. Division, Fond du Lac, 54935. Contact Lillian Foote, RNC, BSN 920-926-4843, a volunteer from Holy Family Parish in Fond du Lac. She offers 2 six-week sessions in the spring and fall. Her hours are 8:30 a.m-4:00 p.m. Please leave a message with your needs and she will direct your call to the appropriate person. Contact St. Agnes Hospital for the RTS Bereavement Program, they have a session on the 3rd Monday at 7 p.m. 920-926-4843.
II. ARCHDIOCESE OF MILWAUKEE CATHOLIC CEMETERIES
Patrick Dean, a certified grief counselor, will work with individual or small families groups. The counseling is done primarily for those families who have had a burial in one of the eight Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He can be reached through Holy Cross Cemetery, 414-438-4420,
ext. 302. Address is: 7301 W. Nash St., Milwaukee, 53216.

1. Hospitals

St. Luke’s Medical Center, 2900 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, 53215
(Aurora Health Care)
Recently Widowed
Loss of a Loved One for Children (6 to 12 years old)
Loss of a Parent for Adults.
Contact: Barbara Peterson 414-328-6280
Women and Grief ~ a support group following the death of a loved one. Marge Hendrickson, RN, parish nurse and Mary Anne Borowski. First Thursday of every month, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 414-328-6280 to register.
Grieving the Death of a Partner (men & women) ~ a support group for the death of a spouse or life partner. Marge Hendrickson, RN, parish nurse. Tuesday for 8 week essions. Call 414-328-6280 for dates and times of current sessions.
Kids Care ~ a support group for kids who have lost a loved one-ages 5-16 years old. Sue Berg, Child Life Specialist. Four-week sessions. Call 414-649-6634 for dates and times.
Survivors Helping Survivors ~ bereavement support after death by suicide. Marcia Williams, RN, MSN, MS Clinical Nurse Specialist. Second Tuesday of every month, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Registration not required. Call 414-649-6230.
St. Luke’s South Shore ~ 5900 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy, 53110,
(Aurora Health Care) "Healing Grief" ~ a support group following the
death of a loved one. Geralyn Steimle, Chaplain and Marcia Isherwood,
RN, parish nurse. Six-week sessions 6:30-8:30 p.m. Call 414-328-6280.
Children’s Hospital ~ Mail Station 745, PO Box 1997, Milwaukee, 53201.
Call Kathleen Hansen 414-266-3325. Bereavement Counselor.
(Wisconsin Sudden Infant Death Center: Anne Harvieux, 414-266-2800)
Columbia/St. Mary Hospital ~ General Grief – Contact Mary Jo Simms

4050. Mary Jo does independent counseling, mostly cancer deaths.

Hours are from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Columbia Hospital ~ 2025 E. Newport Ave., 53211 414-961-3350
St. Mary’s Hospital ~ 2323 N. Lake Dr., 53211 414-291-1240
Waukesha Memorial Hospital ~ Grief Support Group, contact Nancy 262-928-2300.
Stillwaters Cancer Support Agency, for patients & families. Four 8 weeks
Sessions. Contact Dani Sutliff at 262-548-9148 or stillwatercenter.org
West Allis Memorial Hospital ~ 8901 W. Lincoln Ave., West Allis, 53227
(Aurora Health Care)
Living Through Loss ~ bereavement support group. Marge Hendrickson, RN,
parish nurse and Mary Ann Borowski, call 414-328-7405 for more information.
1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 10 am till 11:30 am. Registration not
required.
Infant Loss Support Group ~ support for parents who have lost a baby during
pregnancy, at birth, or shortly after birth, no matter how long it has been since
the loss. Linda Tramm, RN. First Wednesday of every month 7-8:30 p.m.
savory Room, Aurora Women’s Pavilion. Registration not required.
Call 414-329-5908.
Covenant Bereavement Support Groups
Schedule and contact persons for each hospital are listed below. Registration required.
Elmbrook Memorial ~ 19333 W. North Ave., Brookfield, 53045
Contact person: Chaplain Barb Malueg – 262-785-2192.
Franciscan Woods ~ Contact person: Chaplain Marge Hildebrand – 262-780-3830.
Marian Franciscan Center ~ 9632 W. Appleton Ave., Milwaukee, 53225
Contact: 414-535-6770.
St. Francis Hospital ~ 3237 S. 16th St. Milwaukee, 53215
Contact person: Josie Wisialowski – 414-647-5416. Spring, Fall, Winter sessions.
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center ~ 5000 W. Chamber St., Milwaukee, 53226.
Contact: 414-447-2040.
St. Michael Hospital ~ 2400 W. Villard Ave., Milwaukee, 53209. Contact
414-527-8350.

Ozaukee
Columbia/St. Mary’s Hospital ~ 13111 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon,
53097. Contact Judy Droppers, Comprehensive Care 262-243-7548. The group
meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the St. Mary’s
Hospital Ozaukee Board Room. No Registration is required.
Hartford Memorial Hospital ~ Aurora Health Care, 1032 E. Sumner, Hartford,
53027. 414-673-2300.
Miscellaneous
First Call for Help-----Counseling-----414-547-3388
Fr. Guy Gurath, Holy Trinity Parish; PO Box 16, Newburg, WI 53060.
Fr. Gurath has been involved in Grief Ministry since 1988 while also serving in
various parish ministries in the Archdiocese. His CDs (and tapes) are available
through Seaworthy Publication or for a complimentary copy, call him directly
at 262-675-6256.
Parent Support Groups
RTS Bereavement Program (formerly known as RESOLVE THROUGH SHARING)
Miscarrying, ectopic pregnancy, stillbirth, or newborns death:
All Saints/St. Luke’s, Racine 262-687-2154
Aurora Health Center, Slinger 262-670-7253
Children’s Hospital 414-266-2743
Kenosha Hospital 262-656-2743
Memorial Hospital, Oconomowoc 262-569-9400
St. Agnes Hospital, Fond du Lac 920-926-4843
St. Joseph Hospital, Milwaukee 414-447-2569
St. Mary Hospital, Milwaukee 414-291-1000 ext. 3482
Watertown Memorial Hospital 920-261-4210
Waukesha Memorial Hospital 262-544-2595 or 262-544-2974
West Allis Memorial Hospital 414-329-5908
The Compassionate Friends
The Compassionate Friends is a mutual assistance, self-help organization offering friendship and understanding to bereaved parents and siblings. The primary purpose is to assist them in the positive resolution of the grief experienced upon the death of a child. For nearly two decades The Compassionate Friends chapters in the Milwaukee area have helped thousands of bereaved parents in their efforts to achieve physical and emotional health.

National Office of The Compassionate Friends
Mailing address: P.O. Box 3696, Oak Brook, IL 60522-3696
Regional Coordinator: Jim Staniforth – 608-835-7493
Toll Free: 877-969-0010
Fax: 630-990-0246
E-mail: nationaloffice@compassionatefriends.org
Website: www.compassionatefriends.org
There are four chapters of The Compassionate Friends in the local area.
Milwaukee/Oak Creek County Chapter meets at 115 E. Fitzsimmons Rd,
Oak Creek, WI 53154. Leaders: Rosemary Albrecht 414-764-5668 and
Connie Kriefall 414-764-9371. Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the
month at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Creek Community Center, 8580 S. Howell Ave.
Ozaukee County Chapter meets on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m.
at St. Mary’s Health Center, 6515 Pioneer Rd., Cedarburg. Contact Person:
Carol 262-377-5521, Fran/Roger Bentz 262-377-0782 or Sandy Tesch at
262-376-7781.
Racine County Chapter – Call Diane Beck 262-886-0828 or
Peg RousarThompson 262-554-0424.
Waukesha County Chapter meets at the Salem United Methodist Church,
541 Hwy 59, Waukesha. Co-leaders: Karen Staker, W295 S7760 High Cross
Dr., Mukwonago, 53149, 262-363-3091 and Jan Gehr, 1105 Ellis St., Waukesha
53186, 262-547-2997. Meetings are on 4th Mondays of the month at 7:30 p.m.
Suicide Support Groups
South Side: St. Luke’s Hospital Call: Marcia Williams, 414-649-6230
or 414-649-6000.
North Side Church of Good Hope, 8700 W. Good Hope Rd Milw., WI 53224
414-353-5555
Mental Health Association of Waukesha County: 262-547-0769
Mental Health Association of Milwaukee County: 414-276-3122 "Yes Life Group"
St. Luke’s Medical Center, 2900 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee 53215
Survivors Helping Survivors. Bereavement support after death by suicide. Marcia Williams, RN, MSM, MS, Clinical Nurse Specialist. Second Tuesday of every month 7:00-9:00 p.m. Registration not required. Call 414-649-6230.
Kenosha Suicide Grief Support Group meets at the First Christian Church on the 3rd Tuesday each month at 7:00 p.m. The church is a half-mile west of the "I" system on Hwy C (in Kenosha). Contact Barb Miller, 262-694-5744 if you would like more information, although you may just come to the meeting, no need to register.

Career Youth Development for Victims of Homicide. Reverend Patrick Tate,
414-264-6888.
M.A.D.D. Wisconsin State Office. 920-831-6540
The Association for Death Education and Counseling. 860-586-7503
www.adec.org
William Wendt Center for Loss & Healing. 202-624-0010
www.lossandhealing.org
Growing Thru Grief. Contact Lori at 262-370-0083