Supportive Resources

The Iowa Family Caregiver Support Program assists families in caring for an older or disabled adult, as well as grandparents/relatives caring for a child 18 years of younger.

An event held twice a year (Christmas and Memorial Day) to remember loved ones.

Bereavement services available to assist families and individuals (anyone welcome) with the various emotions that accompany the death of a loved one.

Locations:

Albia - 877-577-8222

Cedar Rapids - 877-577-2999

Des Moines - 877-577-2888

Sioux City - 877-577-3888

Waterloo - 877-577-3999

Greenfield - 877-577-8555

Providing services to individuals and families in the Des Moines metro area to help with grief and loss, anxiety and depression.

Providing caring and compassionate care to families as they walk through the journey of grief and loss. Service locations in Des Moines, Ankeny, Fort Dodge, Osceola and Ottumwa.

Locations:

Ankeny - 515-289-2272

Fort Dodge - 515-573-2193

North Des Moines - 515-697-7916

Osceola - 641-342-3444

Ottumwa - 641-682-3642

Provide counseling for grief and loss and help healing from anxiety, depression, stress and spiritual matters. Satellite offices located in Lamoni, Leon, Mitchellville, Mt. Ayr and Osceola.

A group open to any individual who has experienced the death of a loved one within the last year. First Thursday each month from 1-2PM.

A warm, encouraging and helpful event for those who have experienced the death of a loved one.

A five week support group focused on helping those who have lost a loved one deal with their grief and loss. This class is facilitated by Iowa River Hospice and pre-registration is required.

This is a support group open to anyone coping with the death of a loved one. Pre-registration is required and interested parties are encouraged to contact Robyn Plocher. This group is sponsored by Cedar Valley Hospice, in partnership with Abels & French Hand Funeral Homes.

A grief Support Group for anyone in the community who has experienced the death of a loved one. The group offers support and provides education on ways to cope and grow through grief and is designed to bring individuals together to share thoughts, experiences and feelings regarding their loss. During an 8 week program, the support groups meets once a week for an hour and a half in a convenient location.

For more information contact Janell McElree, LBSW at 563.422.3811 or jmmcelre@gundersenhealth.org.

A support group for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one which meets the first Monday of each month at the Trojan Inn in Toledo. 

Offers grief information, resources and literature to anyone (children & adults) in the community.

One-on-one support services and grief support groups available for adults and their families. Locations:

• Centerville Hospice Team - Centerville (800) 500-2614 (Toll-Free) 
• Council Bluffs Hospice Team – Council Bluffs (877) 325-6802 (Toll-Free) 
• Knoxville Hospice Team - Knoxville (800) 350-9209 (Toll-Free) 
• Metro Des Moines Hospice Team – Des Moines (800) 806-9934 (Toll-Free) 
• Mount Pleasant Hospice Team – Mount Pleasant (888) 385-4472 (Toll-Free) 
• Mount Ayr Hospice Team – Mount Ayr (888) 464-7222 (Toll-Free) 
• Osceola Hospice Team - Osceola (877) 642-2888 (Toll-Free) 
• Perry Hospice Team – Perry (888) 206-0080 (Toll-Free)
• Bright Kavanagh House – Des Moines (515) 333-4500 (Primary) 
• Greater Regional Hospice Home – Creston (888) 464-7222 (Toll-Free) 
• Hospice With Heart Hospice House - Glenwood (712) 527-4660 (Primary) 
• Kavanagh House on 56th Street – Des Moines (515) 255-0857 (Primary) 
• Administrative Office-HCI Care Services & VNS of Iowa – West Des Moines (800) 806-9934 (Toll-Free) 
• HCI Giving Tree thrift store-Urbandale (515) 270-2414 (Primary) 
• HCI Giving Tree thrift store-East Village – Des Moines (515) 244-0051 (Primary) 
• Visiting Nurse Services of Iowa – Des Moines (515) 288-1516 (Primary) 
• VNS Home Care (515) 558-9591 (Primary) 
• ExtraCare Services – Des Moines (855) 333-4275 (Toll-Free) 
• Amanda the Panda – West Des Moines (515) 223-4847 (Primary)

The HOPE 4 IOWA Crisis Call Line connects individuals in crisis to a helping hand and the resources to address and improve mental wellness. Available 24/7 for residents of Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties.

Have a question? You can also email the Hope 4 Iowa Crisis Line at hope4iowa@boystown.org. One of our counselors will respond within 24 hours.

Hospice of Dubuque provides bereavement support to hospice family members and residents of the tri-state (Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois) who have experienced a loss through death. Contact: Jessica finkenauerj@hospiceofdubuque.org

A free, grief support group available for anyone in the community who has recently experienced the death of a loved one. Grief support is also provided on an individual and as needed basis. The group meets at 3pm on the first Tuesday of the month at Kossuth Regional Health Center in the Community Health Conference Room. For more information, please contact Kathy Dearchs at 515.295.4437 or Kathy.dearchs@mercyhealth.com.  

Offers one-on-one and group bereavement support and family counseling to anyone in the community.

Offers individuals of all ages and their families treatment to help with grief and loss, anger control, depression and stress management.

Offers a bereavement program (ages 5 and up) free of charge for anyone in the community.

This support group is for individuals who are coping with the loss of a loved one. The group is sponsored by Cedar Valley Hospice but held at the Legend Trail Golf Course Clubhouse in Parkersburg. For more information contact Cheryl Elsbury at the Waverly office. 

Hospice of Comfort Hospice in Manchester, offers a free, non-denominational Grief Support Group for anyone in the community who is grieving the loss of a loved one to help them in their healing process. The meetings are information and confidential. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month from 4pm - 6pm at Regional Medical Center.  For more information contact 563.927.3232.

An eight week support group open to anyone that has experienced the death of a loved one. Pre-registration is required and interested parties should contact Cheryl Elsbury-Reiher. This group is sponsored by Cedar Valley Hospice. 

Offers one-on-one grief counseling, support groups (including Stepping Stones of Grief & Seasons of Grief for adults), memorial services, community referrals and grief resources to families.

Other locations:

Fort Dodge:

Paula J. Baber Hospice House 2630 Ninth Avenue South Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-574-6639

Quad Cities:

Butterworth Center 1105 Eighth Street Moline, IL 61265 309-207-0723

A four week support group for any woman that has experienced the death of her mother through illness, sudden death, accident or suicide. This group is sponsored by Christy-Smith Funeral Home, Inc.

A support group for adults dealing with the loss of a loved one. This group is sponsored by Cedar Valley Hospice, covers a wide range of topics and is open to the public. 

Providing counseling services to families and individuals 17 years and older.

Service Locations:

1301 Center Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

515-243-5181

301 N Buxton, Suite 203

Indianola, IA 50125

515-961-1074

A supportive and encouraging group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Held in the West Campus Conference Center. Classes include "Companions in Grief’s Journey” and “Grief Recovery: An Action Program for Moving Beyond Grief”, as well as individual counseling.

 Support Resources

An educational support program offered in the fall for adults that have endured the loss of a loved one.  This program offers participants the opportunity to share experiences and ideas with other grieving individuals.   

A program/support group for adults offering information, resources and support to help individuals as they walk the journey of grief.

Group Locations are located throughout the state.

A symposium offering practical suggestions to adults who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

“Understanding Grief and Loss” is a six-week program offers support and education to individuals who have experienced the death of a family member or friend in Mason City.

Support groups offering a comfortable environment where adults experiencing loss can connect and share with other grieving individuals. Sponsored by Mercy Cedar Rapids. 

A multi-session grief education group designed especially for women who, as adults have experienced the death of their mother. Sponsored by Mercy Cedar Rapids.

An 8 week support group for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one that is free of change and open to any member of the community. Sponsored by Unity Point Hospice- Cedar Rapids.

An educational grief and support group for adults that meets at various locations throughout Iowa. Sponsored by HCI Care Services.

Group locations:

Adel- 515-465-4705

Des Moines- 515-333-4500

Centerville- 641-856-5502

Osceola- 641-342-2888

Indianola- 641-842-4312

Mount Ayr- 641-464-2088

Fairfield- 319-385-4472

Knoxville- 641-842-4312

Mount Pleasant- 319-385-4472

Perry- 515-465-4705

Youth ages 6-17 grieving the death of a loved one can receive peer support and grief education through participation in support groups and/or camps.

A free, weekend-long program for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the loss of a family member or friend. This camp combines traditional camp activities and grief-related programming to help children productively cope with their grief. 

A free, overnight camp designed to help children (ages 7 to 16) effectively cope with the death of a friend of family member.

Sponsored by Unity Point Hospice- Cedar Rapids.

A free camp for children ages 7-14, who have experienced the loss of a friend or family member. This camp is facilitated by Hospice of North Iowa staff and volunteers.

Sponsored by Hospice of North Iowa.

A program provided by licensed counselors for children 2-20 years of age which offers tools and support to children coping with the loss of a loved one. 

A Des Moines area support group for children (ages 12 and under) who are grieving the loss of their dad.

To learn more, contact Jana Nichols.

A free workshop for children (grades 7-12) who are experiencing the tuff stuff that comes after someone dies. 

Sponsored by HCI Care Services.

Program Locations:

Boone- 888-206-0080

Centerville- 800-500-2614

Knoxville- 800-350-9209

Des Moines Metro Area- 800-806-9934

Mount Ayr- 888-464-7222

Mount Pleasant- 888-385-4472

Osceola- 877-642-2888

Perry- 888-206-0080

A program for children (grades 1^st-6^th) who have experienced the loss of a loved one that utilizes music, stories, art and games to help children express their thoughts and feelings.

Group support for children attending Marshalltown Schools based on need and at the request of school counselors. This service is sponsored by Vogel Family Funeral Homes. For more information contact: Iowa River Hospice

A bereavement camp sponsored by Iowa Hospice for children ages 7-17 who have lost a loved one. There is no cost or requirement for participation and camps are offered at several locations throughout the state at different times of year. For more information regarding this opportunity, contact Wyatt Dagit. 

A group for children (age 3 ½ to Kindergarten) which utilizes age appropriate activities and discussions to help children cope with the death of a loved one.

Art therapy services for children that have been victimized or have had a loved one victimized by homicide or vehicular homicide. 

Sessions offered year round for children of all ages that are coping with grief and loss. For more information contact Emily. 

A faith based, six week program for children (ages 3-5 and 6-10) offering children the opportunity to express and understand their feelings of grief and loss. This program is held in conjunction with the GriefShare program which meets at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.

A discussion based program offering teens the opportunity to share the emotions they are experiencing at the loss of a loved one with other teens.

A weekend program that helps grieving, single-again persons deal with the natural grief process and offers the opportunity to move into the future with renewed hope. Programs offered in Des Moines and Northwest Iowa. 

A Des Moines based program (supported by the Des Moines Area Religious Council) for widowed men and women that encourages participants to embrace their own grief journey. The focus is on helping participants redefine the future and embrace a new way of being.

A 5 week support group for women up to 60 years of age.

A support group sponsored by Cedar Valley Hospice for individuals between the ages of 30-60 who have lost a spouse. The group's focus is on how to move forward now that a spouse has died. 

A support group for men and women who have lost a spouse. This group sponsored by Cedar Valley Hospice is open to the public and does not require pre-registration.

A social support group for adults in the Des Moines area that have experienced the loss of a spouse. Virginia Powers is the Group Organizer.

A support group for women under the age of 65 who have lost a spouse or significant other. Sponsored by Mercy Cedar Rapids.

Provides support to parents/families that have lost a child to cancer.

An understanding and supportive group for women that have experienced the loss of a baby. Please email group leader, Michelle Pignatelli at face2facedm@gmail.com

One-on-one counseling and information for parents who have lost a baby. This service provided by Mercy Cedar Rapids.

A state wide organization that offers emotional support to SIDS and SUID families.

Established support groups:

Clarion- contact Cheryl at 1-800-944-1713

Des Moines- contact the Iowa SIDS Foundation office at 515-965-7655

Cedar Falls/Waterloo- contact Chaplain Mary Arnold at 319-272-7370

Knoxville- contact Lori at 641-828-6515

Quad Cities- contact Betsy at 563-332-6265

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City- contact Rachel at 319-721-3273

Washington- contact Tricia at 319-430-5618

Waukon- contact Cheryl at 563-568-5486 

A five-week support group for bereaved parents.

An organization that provides friendship, understanding and hope to bereaved families after the death of a child. 

Iowa Chapters:

Algona- contact Cathy at 515-538-0572 or catkel49@yahoo.com

Avoca- contact Natalie at 712-482-3037 or tcfofswiowa@gmail.com

Carroll- contact Joan at 712-792-9507

Dubuque- contact Ellen at 815-747-2198 or bigelowmebigelow@yahoo.com

Marshalltown- contact Karen at 641-752-6983 or ship1@adiis.net

Mason City- contact cfnorthiowa@gmail.com

Muscatine- contact Linda at 563-260-3626 or linmac67@machlink.com

Nevada- contact Nancy at 515-292-1204 or tcfstorycounty@hotmail.com

North English- contact Sharon at 319-330-3984

Sioux City- contact Patsy at 712-278-2089 or www.tcfsiouxcity.org

Waverly- contact Sandy at 319-269-5385

West Burlington- contact Marek at 319-753-5607 or greatrivertcf@yahoo.com

West Des Moines- contact Merry at 515-277-6432 or hello@tcfdsm.org

Offers free, confidential services to survivors of homicide throughout a 14 county area.

With a service area of 23 counties in Eastern Iowa, Horizon’s provides support and advocacy to individuals who have lost a loved one to homicide and vehicular homicide. Support groups available in Cedar Rapids and Davenport. Agency Headquarters located in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Family support, counseling and advocacy provided to individuals and families impacted by drunk driving.

Provides financial assistance to victims/survivors of crime, including homicide and vehicular homicide.

Provides financial assistance to victims/survivors of crime, including homicide and vehicular homicide.