Bereavement Resources
When a person’s journey has ended with ALS, close friends, and family members will begin a bereavement process through which they will mourn and face a future without their loved one.
These ALS bereavement resources are designed to provide family members with tools, resources, and information about grief and the bereavement process and to assist you during this difficult, emotional, and often frightening journey.
ALS Bereavement Support Group Meetings
ALS United Greater New York offers support groups every other week and individual support to those who have lost a loved one to ALS. The support groups serve as opportunities for surviving caregivers and other family members of people with ALS to connect with others within safe spaces for feeling, healing, and remembering. Drop in when your schedule permits. Click our calendar for the schedule.
Year-Long Support
Grief doesn’t follow a schedule; it can surface in waves, unexpectedly, and long after a loss. Our team understands that, and we’re here to support individuals and families through every season of their grief journey. Whether it’s through support groups, communications, check-ins, resources, or simply being present, we walk alongside those who are grieving with compassion, understanding, and ongoing care throughout the year.
Navigating Grief Together: Eight-Session Support Series
This is a structured support group where a small, committed group of participants journeys together over multiple sessions, building trust, connection, and shared understanding along the way. Because each session builds on the last, space is limited, and we ask that everyone commit to the full series. This allows for a safe, supportive environment where meaningful connections can grow. For more information, contact Michelle McKenzie at Mmckenzie@als-ny.org
Ceremony of Remembrance
Once a year, our staff and newly bereaved loved ones gather to share memories, photos, and stories. Together, we reminisce and pay tribute to loved ones who’ve passed from ALS in the previous year. For more information, please contact Chris Dunn at dunn@als-ny.org
ALS Bereavement Resources
5 Ways to Practice Self-Care After a Loss | Psychology Today
“Immediately after your loved one dies, you may feel like you're in a fog, and this is normal. Chances are you were busy with activities (i.e., planning a memorial gathering) which directed some of your attention away from your sorrow. And now that the reality and weight of your loss are starting to sink in, you may be struggling with knowing just how to take care of yourself.”
How the Brain Rewires as We Grieve | Psychology Today
“In recent decades, neuroscience has revealed fascinating information about our relationships and what happens in our brains when we grieve for a loved one who is dead or gone. When a devoted spouse dies or a beloved partner unilaterally ends a relationship, our grieving brain has an enormous rewiring job to do.”
Walking Through Grief and Healing | Psychology Today
In the depths of grief, it can be difficult to muster the energy to take care of yourself. Getting some exercise is a step in the right direction, and it’s important to start slowly and take it easy on yourself.