Don't underestimate the value of ordinary human kindness. Remember no-one can take away the pain and sadness but knowing that people care is comforting and healing.  Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement

The Compassionate Friends 
Grief Support Groups

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The Compassionate Friends is part of a world-wide self-help organisation offering friendship and understanding to families following the death of a son or daughter, brother or sister, or grandchild.
We are a group of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents with the lived experience of losing a child or sibling. We offer friendship and understanding to all families following the death of a child, sibling or grandchild, at any age and from any cause.

TCF reaches out to all bereaved families irrespective of religion, race, financial status or nationality. TCF has no affiliation with any religious or philosophical organisation. TCF realises that every bereaved family member has individual needs and rights.

At Compassionate Friends you will find understanding of those who have 'been there'. There are no pressures to talk or not talk; to cry or not cry; just a chance to be yourself.

Call TCF on 1800 671 621 or visit their website here.
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Contact me for more information or just send a message and I will be in touch.
 
10 Ways You Can Help a Bereaved Person
 You cannot 'fix it' but you can:
  1.    say "I'm here for you" and be there
  2.    show you care
  3.    offer practical support
  4.    don't take anger personally
  5.    be patient - allow silences
  6.    listen and accept strong emotions
  7.    don't say you know or understand unless
         you really do
  8.    avoid platitudes like "It's God's will" etc
  9.    allow them to talk of their loved one and
         speak their name
10.    take care of yourself - know your limits

Adult Sibling Grief & Loss 
The Tragic Death of My Brother Dean

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The unique nature of sibling relationships reflects the special bond with someone who intimately shares your childhood and upbringing. We expect our brother or sister to be in our lives forever, sharing in our achievements, our celebrations, our weddings, the births of our children and so on. They are our parallel travellers. It is because of this, that the death of a sibling in adulthood hits hard as we struggle to deal with our loss and grief, find ways to make sense of continuing in a world without our sibling in it and how this is magnified by the change in family dynamics. One of the most important things I experienced was that the bond continues after death. It does not cease to exist. While we must come to terms with what has occurred and accept the death, there are meaningful and profound ways of keeping the connection. 

The police reported my brother's death as suicide but I knew my brother would never take his own life. Something happened that day, something I struggled to understand. The love I felt for my brother fuelled my determination to go to the lengths I went to in order to reveal the truth. After months of investigation, I received the report from the NSW State Coroner finding it was indeed an accident, and he did not intend to take his life.

Visit the tribute page for my brother Dean and leave a loving comment and if you knew Dean, share a memory, write your tribute to Dean or share any experiences or dreams you've had where you've felt Dean's presence or a connection to him. You can also send pictures to be added to the page. 

Learn about what happened to Dean.

Join our Facebook Closed Group ​for adult sibling grief
FB/I'll just love you from over here