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A Night to Illuminate Grief - Winter Solstice Gathering
December 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM MT In-person at the Unity Spiritual Center in Denver, CO & on global livestream via YouTube. Those unable to attend live are invited to light a candle wherever they are at 7:00 PM MT as part of the collective ritual. On the longest night of the year, people around the world are invited to pause—together. All Are Welcome. Feel free to bring a candle to the streaming event to participate in the candlelit remembrance ceremony! A Night to Illuminate Grief is a FREE, global gathering honoring all forms of grief and loss. This includes not only death, but also the loss of safety, relationships, identity, health, community, dreams, and hope. We are living in a time of profound collective grief. Much of it goes unspoken and unsupported, often turning into isolation, anger, or division. This evening creates space for something different: witnessing, connection, and shared humanity. Across the globe, participants will light candles, name their losses, listen to readings from diverse cultural and spiritual traditions, and stand in solidarity—reminding one another: You are not alone. Your grief matters. You belong. The winter solstice—the darkest night of the year—has long been a time of reflection and ritual. On this night, both darkness and light are held together, honoring grief while making room for integration, resilience, and hope. Hosted by LIGHT Movement, whose mission is to create a world where no one grieves alone, this gathering is open to people of all backgrounds and all types of grief. Come as you are. Bring your grief, your memories, your questions—or simply your presence. What to Expect: - Candle-lighting ritual - Naming and honoring losses - Readings from diverse traditions - Moments of reflection and connection - A shared global pause To learn more, follow @lightmvmt on Instagram or visit www.lightmvmt.com  The Far North Retreats Nine Week Closed Homicide Survivor Support Group
First Zoom session - January 30, 2026, from 4:30–5:30 PM PST Online via Zoom (link provided after registration) The Far North Retreats is now enrolling for their next closed support group for homicide survivors is beginning in late January. This nine-week journey offers a blend of bi-weekly Zoom gatherings and reflective email prompts — creating space for both community connection and personal introspection. If you’ve lost someone to homicide, you don’t have to walk this path alone. Join others who understand the depth of this loss and the courage it takes to face each day. Open to participants anywhere in the US. Facilitated by nationally credentialed victim advocate and homicide survivor, Liberty Henderson, CA, a sibling homicide survivor and nationally credentialed victim advocate. To learn more or to register, email [email protected]  The Longest Night Service
Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM MST Cathedral of the Rockies Sanctuary at the Downtown Campus, 717 N. 11th St. Boise, ID 83702 December 21st marks the winter solstice, the longest night of the year in the northern hemisphere. For those grieving the loss of a loved one, this night can feel especially heavy. Join the Longest Night Service at the Cathedral of the Rockies'. This meditative gathering provides a sacred space for reflection, remembrance, and healing during the Advent season. Through prayer candles, music, and thoughtful liturgy, we’ll honor the memories of those who have passed and remind you: You are not alone. Find hope in the quiet moments of the season. Learn more at: www.cathedraloftherockies.org/events/longest-night/  Healing Through Words: A Grief Writing Journey Workshop
December 20, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST The holidays can feel especially heavy for anyone grieving a loss. To offer gentle support during this tender season, Ada Malavé, Transformational Grief Coach, is hosting a Healing Through Words: A Grief Writing Journey workshop. This 3-hour virtual workshop on December 20, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM EST, creates a safe, sacred space where women can explore their grief through writing, reconnect with their emotions, and begin transforming pain into clarity, meaning, and self-compassion. Participants can also gift this workshop to someone who may deeply benefit from it. Special seasonal rate: $27 (regularly $97!) A supportive, gentle environment with guided writing, reflection, and emotional grounding. Limited spots available—register at https://payhip.com/b/FrqpP and welcome new energy for 2026.  Blue Christmas Winter Solstice Service
Sunday, December 21, 2025, at 7:00 PM CT As the holiday season arrives during the coldest and darkest days of the year, many find that joy feels distant, and light feels faint. While the world encourages cheer, this gathering makes space for what’s real. A Blue Christmas: A Light in the Darkness is a Winter Solstice service for anyone who isn’t feeling merry or bright—for those carrying grief, exhaustion, disappointment, or a quiet ache that’s hard to name. This is a space to honor pain, questions, and empty places, and to gently seek comfort, courage, and light together. Hosted by The Center of Addiction & Faith, this service offers a compassionate pause amid the season—a reminder that even in darkness, light continues to rise. You are not alone. Come as you are. Register here: www.tinyurl.com/solsticeservice25  Healing Through the Holidays Grief Webinar
December 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST The holiday season can be especially tender for those grieving. The Compassionate Friends is offering a free webinar, Healing Through the Holidays, to help bereaved individuals and families navigate this time with intention, support, and care. In this compassionate session, participants will explore: Why grief can feel different during the holidays, the impact of secondary losses this time of year, how to approach traditions with intention, and ways to honor loved ones and yourself throughout the season. Register at www.compassionatefriends.org to join this meaningful time of reflection and support.  The Longest Night Evening Service
Monday, December 22, 2025, at 7:00 PM Boise First Congregational United Church of Christ, 2201 W Woodlawn Ave, Boise, ID 83702 The community is invited to gather for a gentle, contemplative service honoring grief, loss, and the quiet truths that often accompany the holiday season. Often known as a “Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas” service, this tradition creates sacred space for those who find the holidays difficult. Held near the winter solstice—the longest night of the year—it acknowledges that not everyone feels merry and bright, or joyful during the holiday season, and it offers comfort, reflection, and hope in the midst of darkness. This in-person gathering includes readings, ritual, and song, offering a compassionate space to honor grief, loss, and disappointment. The evening will begin by firelight outside the church entrance before moving into the fellowship hall. If you or someone you love could use a peaceful place to pause and breathe this season, this service may offer a meaningful moment of solace. This will be an in-person service only. www.boisefirstucc.org  Open to Hope Foundation Facebook LIVE: Grief During the Holidays
December 15th at 9:00 AM PT The holidays can be joyful, but they can also stir up tender and overwhelming emotions for anyone grieving. On December 15th at 9:00 AM PT, Dr. Gloria Horsley and Dr. Heidi Horsley will be LIVE on the Open to Hope Foundation Facebook page, offering a compassionate space to talk about Grief During the Holidays. They’ll share wisdom, validation, and gentle tools to help navigate this season with hope and heart. Bring your heart, and feel free to share with someone who might need extra comfort this time of year. Follow @opentohopefoundation on IG and visit www.opentohope.com for additional information resources!  Holiday Memories Event Hosted by Because Kids Grieve
Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 3:00 – 4:30 PM MT Orchard Park Meridian Library: 1268 W. Orchard Park Drive Meridian, ID 83646 This heartfelt gathering invites community members to come together and remember their loved ones while creating meaningful holiday ornaments. It’s a gentle, supportive space to honor memories, connect with others, and create something beautiful during the holiday season. Because Kids Grieve hopes you will attend to create, remember, and share in a time of warmth and connection. For more info or to RSVP, contact: [email protected] www.becausekidsgrieve.org  Winter Wellness Breathwork Workshop
Friday, December 5, 2025, at 6:30 PM MT Vitalistic Wellness Institute, 326 ½ Caldwell Blvd, Nampa, Idaho 83651 Vitalistic Wellness Institute is hosting a FREE guided breathwork session designed to help participants release stress, boost their mood, and reconnect with their inner calm. This relaxing winter workshop will offer a gentle space to breathe, heal, and reset before the holiday season. Local businesses and vendors will also be present! What to Bring: • Yoga mat or small blanket • Comfortable clothing • An open mind ready for healing Space is limited, and spots fill quickly—registration is first-come, first-served! To register, call or text 208-242-4476. Breathe, heal, and grow together this winter. www.vitalisticwellnessidaho.com  The Compassionate Friends Annual Worldwide Candle Lighting
Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM Local Time Every year, families around the globe come together to honor and remember the children, grandchildren, and siblings who live forever in their hearts. Now believed to be the largest mass candle lighting in the world, this beautiful event creates a wave of light and love across time zones, uniting thousands in remembrance. Attend a local event or join one of the US virtual candlelightings offered by The Compassionate Friends/USA. At home or at a formal gathering, families are invited to light a candle in memory of their beloved child, grandchild, or sibling. Whether surrounded by community or in the quiet of home, every flame represents a forever-loved life. Together, we remember. Together, their light continues. Learn more and find programs at www.compassionatefriends.org/wcl/  Griefhab™ 3rd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays
December 2 - 8, 2025 The Griefhab™ 3rd Annual Healing Together Through the Holidays is happening December 2nd–8th, plus, enjoy pre-event talks delivered straight to your inbox starting Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27th). Hosted by Griefhab™ founder Samantha Ruth, this powerful hybrid conference honors National Grief Awareness Week — and uplifts all the invisible awareness days and communities that deserve recognition. Expect interactive healing experiences for ALL kinds of loss. Join live in Michigan (location TBA) or virtually everywhere. Leave with practical tools you can lean on when those 3:00 AM waves of grief hit. Each day will feature: 6 incredible speakers, hands-on healing booths & workshops, & a MAJOR Keynote Speaker. Scan the QR code to preregister or visit www.samantharuth.com  ✨ 🕯️Holiday Remembrance Luminary🕯️ ✨
December 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM MT 1200 N Cloverdale Rd, Boise, Idaho, 83713 Cloverdale Funeral Home invites the community to gather for a peaceful evening of remembrance, honoring loved ones through light, music, and fellowship. This family-friendly event offers a warm space to remember, heal, and connect. Enjoy beautiful music, heartfelt moments, and light snacks among others who understand. Free & open to the public. All are welcome! For more info, visit: www.cloverdalefuneralhome.com  ❄️🎄✨ Because Kids Grieve: Making Holiday Memories ✨🎄❄️
Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Because Kids Grieve Center, 459 Shoup Ave, Twin Falls, Idaho RSVP by December 11 → [email protected] The holidays can be hard when someone you love is missing. This event is all about honoring loved ones, connecting with others and finding moments of comfort and joy during the holiday season. This season, Because Kids Grieve invites children, teens, and families to come together to celebrate memories and create new ones in a supportive space. Activities include: 🧦 Decorating stockings 🎨 Designing holiday cards 🎄 Creating ornaments 🌹 Decorating the BKG Memorial Garden 🍪 Treats & refreshments provided  International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day
Saturday, November 22, 2025 On Saturday, November 22, 2025, join a global community of survivors for International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day, also known as Survivor Day. This special day is dedicated to bringing together those who have experienced the heartbreaking loss of a loved one to suicide. Why Survivor Day Matters: - It’s a time to connect with others who truly understand. - A space to find understanding, support, and hope. - An opportunity to honor your loved one’s memory in community. What to Expect: Events typically feature a blend of group discussions, supportive activities, and stories of healing. Whether you’re early in your grief or further along your journey, Survivor Day welcomes you with open arms. How to Join: Find an event near you or participate online: Visit the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day website at https://isosld.afsp.org/ For Boise, Idaho community members, the Survivor Day event will be at Jack's Urban Meeting Place, 1000 W Myrtle Street in Boise, from 10 AM - 12 PM. Check out the Boise Survivor Day event info and register at https://boise-idaho.isosld.afsp.org/ Let’s come together to remind ourselves and each other: You are not alone. 11/16/2025 Creative Support for Grieving Kids: Holiday Edition - FREE Webinar - 11 Dec 2025Read Now  Creative Support for Grieving Kids: Holiday Edition - FREE Webinar
Wednesday, December 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST The holiday season can be magical—but it can also stir up big emotions for kids who are grieving… and for the adults supporting them. Whether it’s the first holiday without a beloved pet, a family member missing from the table, or the disruption of school routines, children often need extra space, creativity, and connection during this time of year. Rooster & Hen Resources is hosting a FREE webinar designed to help caregivers, educators, social workers, and helpers of all kinds support grieving kids with compassion, creativity, and confidence. The webinar will explore how holiday routines and special dates can affect children’s grief, offer a helpful grief-themed book with a corresponding art activity, and share a creative, holiday-inspired way to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. During Creative Support for Grieving Kids: Holiday Edition, educator and author Rebecca Wu will share how art and storytelling can open meaningful pathways for healing conversations during the holidays. Join the webinar via Zoom on Wednesday, December 11, 2025, at 12:00 PM CST. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn simple, heart-centered strategies to help children feel seen, supported, and remembered during a tender season. Register today and share with someone who might benefit! Scan the QR code or visit: https://tinyurl.com/2s45p5pe 10/24/2025 Because Kids Grief - K2K Birthday Party: A Celebration of Our Loved Ones - 15 Nov 2025Read Now  K2K Birthday Party: A Celebration of Our Loved Ones
Saturday, November 15, 2025, from 1:00 – 3:00 PM (registration at 12:45 PM) 459 Shoup Ave, Twin Falls Join Because Kids Grieve for this heartfelt gathering is part of Children’s Grief Awareness Day -- a time to honor and remember those we love. Activities include: - Creating a Butterfly of Hope - Planting flower bulbs in the BKG Memorial Garden - Hope-inspired art projects - Sharing memories of loved ones - Celebrating birthdays of those we grieve - Snacks Provided It’s a safe space for children, teens, and families to connect, create, and carry hope together. RSVP at: [email protected] www.becausekidsgrieve.org  Keystone Hospice Community Grief Group
Tuesdays, 1:00 – 2:00 PM MST, Beginning November 11, 2025 Keystone Hospice, 21 N Fisher Park Way, Eagle, ID 83616 Keystone Hospice invites the community to join a free six-week Community Grief Group this fall, beginning Tuesday, November 11th, in Eagle, Idaho. Sessions run weekly on Tuesdays from 1:00 – 2:00 PM, offering a safe and supportive space to share, connect, and heal together. No one should walk through grief alone. Find out more and/or RSVP by emailing: [email protected]  🕯️Join the International 'Wave of Light' on Wednesday, October 15th, at 7:00 PM local time. 🕯️
October 15th is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, observed worldwide as the culmination of Baby Loss Awareness Week within Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. Join families across the globe by lighting a candle at 7:00 PM local time, keeping it lit for at least one hour to honor all babies taken too soon. Participate in the digital 'Wave of Light'! Share a photo of your lit candle on Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter) using the hashtag #WaveOfLight at 7:00 PM local time to show your support. A great resource for pregnancy and infant loss is the organization, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep. Be sure to visit www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/awarenessmonth to sign up for their 2025 calendar, featuring 31 meaningful ways to honor your baby throughout October and other resources. ✨Let’s shine a light together in remembrance. ✨ 10/5/2025 International Wave of Light for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Candlelight Vigil - 15 Oct 2025Read Now  🕯️✨🪔International Wave of Light for Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Candlelight Vigil🪔 ✨🕯️
Pregnancy & Infant Loss Memorial, Kohlerlawn Cemetery (76 6th St N., Nampa, ID 83687) Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6:30 PM MST David’s Hope Pregnancy Loss Ministry invites the community to join families locally and around the world in honoring babies gone too soon. As part of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, candles will be lit in remembrance during the global Wave of Light. All babies can be honored, no matter how long ago the loss occurred. A special naming service will also be offered, allowing families to speak their child’s name and memorialize their memory together in community. For questions or more details, call 208-514-5962 or email [email protected].  Hour of Hope
Sunday, October 12, 2025, at 11:00 AM PT Author and psychologist Mary Frances O’Connor, PhD will be the featured guest at the next Hour of Hope, hosted by Hope Edelman (@hope_edelman) — a FREE live event happening on October 12! Mary Frances O’Connor, professor at the University of Arizona, was just 26 when her mother died after a 13-year struggle with breast cancer. That loss inspired her lifelong quest to understand the many ways grief impacts the brain and body. She is the acclaimed author of The Grieving Brain and The Grieving Body, groundbreaking books that have transformed conversations about the science of grief. In this Hour of Hope, Dr. O’Connor will share insights on: - How the brain adjusts after major loss, especially sudden loss - How age at the time of loss influences this process Neurobiological, immune, and cardiovascular factors that can arise after grief - Individual factors that shape the grieving experience This is a rare chance to learn from a world-renowned grief expert and compassionate thought leader, in conversation with the inspiring Hope Edelman. Details & Registration: https://www.rfr.bz/fd3582d (If you can’t join live, register anyway to receive the replay link!) Don’t miss this unforgettable opportunity to grow in hope and understanding.  🌼💀✨Before I Die New Mexico Festival ✨💀🌼
1st Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM - FREE Admission Join the community in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 13, 2025, for the Before I Die New Mexico Festival and Death is Not a Dirty Word Resource Fair. This powerful day brings together resources, conversations, and culture around death, dying, and living fully. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and discover that talking about death helps us live more fully. Highlights include: - Panel Discussions & Death Cafés - Green Burial in New Mexico - Estate Planning & Advance Planning - Music by ABQ Skeleton Crew - Vendors, Death Doulas, Hospices, Reiki, Acupuncture - Caregiver & Grief Resources Learn more & pre-register at www.beforeidiefestivals.com  The Impact of Loss on our Emotional and Physical Health
Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 2:00–3:30 PM ET Free live webinar via Zoom Highmark Caring Place is continuing their Grief Talks Educational Webinar series this fall! After a loss, grief can touch every part of our lives — emotionally and physically. This webinar will explore how loss affects overall well-being and provide tools for self-care and compassion. Participants will also learn practical strategies to build resilience and healing. Approved for 1.5 FREE CE credits through Allegheny Health Network CME. (See website for details on setting up your CME account if you’re new.) Follow @highmarkcaringplace & register at: https://bit.ly/GriefTalksBody  Good Grief: Finding Light in the Midst of Loss
Save the Date: Friday, November 21, 2025, from 6:30–8:30 PM MT True North Yoga, Boise, Idaho Good Grief Boise invites the community to this special holiday support workshop. The holiday season can be a time of joy, but for many who are grieving, it also brings deep challenges. During this workshop, participants will: - Acknowledge the unique challenges of grieving during the holidays - Learn coping strategies & self-care tools - Share in remembrance & reflection - Experience the support of safe community This donation-based evening offers comfort, connection, and tools to navigate the season with compassion. All donations will go directly toward supporting Good Grief Boise’s mission of becoming an official nonprofit organization. Sign up today: www.truenorthyoga.co/workshops  Best Chance Counseling PLLC Presents: Virtual Grief Support Group
When: Wednesdays at 12:00 PM MT, Starting October 1, 2025 Length: 60 minutes Cost: $30 per session A compassionate, welcoming space to: - Understand grief and the healing journey - Share your story in a safe community - Receive and offer meaningful support - Learn how to gently hold space for your loved one - Explore ways to keep living while honoring your loss For more information, location, and to register, contact Christy Long. Call 208-258-5460, or email [email protected] Don’t miss this opportunity for connection, healing, and hope. You don’t have to walk this road alone. |
Sara J. CobbFounder, My Grief Connection Archives
June 2026
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