We are a part of a National Organization www.bereavedparentsusa.org with sister chapters across the USA.

Bereaved Parents of the USA (BP/USA) was formed in 1995 with the purpose of providing support, understanding, care, compassion and hope to bereaved parents, step parents, grandparents and siblings who have experienced the death of a child, grandchild or sibling regardless of the age of the child, the cause of death, or the race, the creed, the religious belief or financial situation of the family.

Our main goal is to support and educate families as they experience all the pain and complexities of grief following the death of their child. How comforting it is to a newly bereaved parent to hear a “seasoned bereaved parent griever” say, “I had those exact same feelings” and to understand that all the many feelings and thoughts they are experiencing after the death of their children are very normal and natural ones for bereaved parents. It brings comfort and hope to newly bereaved to be with, listen to and learn from others who have survived the death of their children and found a “new normal” life that can one day include happiness again.

It is also a goal of BP/USA to educate the “outside” world of the complexities of parental grief. In this hurry, hurry “get over it, move on” society that we live in today it is important that those who have not suffered the loss of a child, grandchild or sibling not only understand the pain and grief involved but also that the grieving process after the death of a child takes a long time and that bereaved parents can not simply “get over it and move on.” By educating extended families, friends, professionals, church friends, employers, co-workers, etc. about parental grief, we hope to make it easier for them to understand, support and help bereaved parents on their long grief journey.

There are no dues or fees required to join BP/USA. Those who are eligible for membership have already paid the highest price…the death of their beloved child, grandchild or sibling.

There are no paid salaries within the BP/USA organization either on the local or national levels. All work is done by volunteer bereaved parents wishing to make the “grief journey” of newly bereaved a little easier.

The Marion County Chapter meets the third Tuesday of every month except July and December and we extend our hands in friendship and our hearts in understanding and care and welcome and invite you to attend our meetings.