Grief Support Groups
We at Lighthouse Memorials & Receptions often wonder how the families of those entrusted to our care are faring when our services are over. While our mission is to serve families experiencing immediate loss with services designed to celebrate the life of a loved one, we are aware that your grief does not end when you leave our facilities. Healing after a loss of this magnitude takes time and for some, it goes on indefinitely. For many grieving people, support groups are one of the best resources. In a group, you can connect with others who have experienced similar thoughts and feelings. You will be allowed and gently encouraged to talk about the person who died as much and as often or as little as you like.
In a concerned attempt to address this very real experience, we have compiled a list of some of the support groups available to our community. Perhaps when you feel enough time has passed or simply that you are ready, consider the bereavement support services these groups offer. A certain amount of reluctance is understandable . . . sometimes just getting started is the hardest task. If you join a group, if it doesn’t feel “right”, join another.
Reach out to these local Grief Support Groups (listed in no particular order).
Organization: The Gathering Place (A Trinity Care Hospice Program in partnership with Beach Cities Health District)
Contact: Patty Ellis-Program Director
Address: 5315 Torrance Blvd Suite B-1 Torrance CA 90503
Phone: 310-546-6407
Fax: 310-543-3433
E-mail: Gathering.place@providence.org
Description: Bereavement support groups for children, teenagers, and adults including seniors addressing multiple losses, including the loss of a spouse, child, or parent as well as a general bereavement group. Reservations required.
Organization: Survivors after Suicide, Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center
Contact: Rick Mogil
Title: Director
Phone: 310-895-2326
Description: Bereavement support for those who have lost a loved one to suicide. Groups are offered 15 times per year in the South Bay, West L.A. and San Fernando Valley area. Reservations required.
Organization: Neighborhood Church
Address: 415 Paseo Del Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Phone: 310-378-9353
Description: “Good Grief Support Groups” for those who have lost a loved one. 5-6 week sessions 7:30 – 9:00 PM
Organization: Compassionate Friends of South Bay / L.A.
Contact: Donna
Address: 415 Paseo Del Mar Palos Verdes Estates, CA 90274
Phone: 310-378-9353
Description: A self-help organization offering support to families who have experienced the death of a child.
Organization: St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic Church
Contact: Vivian Alvarado Lee, LCSW
Address: 1900 S. Prospect Ave. Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Phone: 310-373-0597– Grief support for spousal loss
or call rectory 310-540-0329
Description: Bereavement Support groups for adults are held at various times throughout the year. The groups are closed, with a ten week cycle. The focus is on grief educational information and mutual support. Not limited to the Catholic faith.
Organization: Torrance Memorial Home Health and Hospice
Contact: Dana Hodgdon, M.A.
Title: Director of Bereavement Services
Address: Health Conference Center 3330 Lomita Blvd. Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: 310-784-3751
Description: Drop-in support groups held weekly 6:00 to 7:30 PM Mondays, 3:00 to 4:30 PM Thursdays. (except holidays) or Six week bereavement support / grief education small groups offered periodically, call for further details.
Contact: Luis Robles
Title: Bereavement Coordinator
Address: 225 W Hospitality Lane San Bernardino CA 902880
Phone: 800-797-2686
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1504 Redondo Beach, CA 90278-0504
Office Addresses:
Phone: 310-379-2999 or 310-750-7334
E-mail: attrelllcsw@verizon.net
Fax: 310-379-7535
Description: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Thanatologist (CT), a death and bereavement specialist, in private practice. Clients may be all ageas grieving any kind of death. Please call for more information.
Contact: Katherine Wong Ext 225
Address: 2780 Lomita Blvd Torrance CA 90505
Phone: 310-325-7777
Description: Bereavement support/ Please go to our grief share website www.breadoflifechurch.org
Organization: Ronald L. Attrell, MSW, LCSW, CT
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1504 Redondo Beach, CA 90278-0504
Office Addresses: 819 N. Harbor Drive Suite 330 Redondo Beach, CA 90277
or 2401 Pacific Coast Highway Suite 106 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Phone:310-379-2999 or 310-750-7334
Email: attrelllcsw@verizon.net
Fax: 310-379-7535
Description: Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Thanatologist (CT), a death and bereavement specialist, in private practice. Clients may be all ageas grieving any kind of death. Please call for more information.
Contact: Brad DeFord, PhD, MDiv
Address: 1107 S. Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, CA. 90277
Phone: 714-369-2059
Fax: 714-369-2059
E-mail: bchspirit.@roadrunner.com
Description: Spiritual direction, end-of-life and grief consoling. Private practice setting. Also available to facilitate memorial services and bereavement support programs and/or groups.