To find out more read below or call 416-635-2860 ext.273
About our Bereavement Support
Losing someone you love is painful. After a significant loss, you may experience many emotions, such as shock, anger, and guilt. Sometimes it may feel like the sadness will never end.
We have a number of ways to support you through this difficult transition, including support groups and individual support sessions. All of these sessions are free of charge and provided by our trained grief specialists.
Eligibility
Our programs are open to adults 18+ who have experienced the death of a spouse, parent, or other close family member or friend within the first year of their loss. You must reside in Ontario.
We are not able to provide counselling for individuals coping with infant loss, loss of a child under 18, or death due to homicide, as these are outside our scope of practice.
Types of Bereavement Programs
Grief and Bereavement Support Groups (Online & In-Person)
While grief is deeply personal, the journey can feel more manageable—and even meaningful—when shared with others who understand. Our support groups run for 6–8 weekly sessions, each lasting 1.5 to 2 hours. The groups offer support in a safe, nurturing environment where participants can share their experiences of loss, learn about the grieving process, and develop practical coping strategies. Over time, the program helps participants begin to integrate their loss and move forward in a way that feels right for them.
Upcoming Groups:
- In-Person Bereavement Support Group (FULL)
- Virtual Bereavement Support Group (FULL)
- Young Adult Bereavement Support Group (Starts June 3, 2026)
If you have questions call 416-635-2860 ext. 273
Individual Bereavement Support and Grief Counselling (Online or In-Person)
Circle of Care offers short-term bereavement support and grief counselling (six 1-hour sessions) to adults requesting individual support as they adjust to the death of someone dear to them. The client will be asked to select goals they wish to focus on during this term of service.
If you have questions or wish to begin counselling, call 416-635-2860 ext. 273.
Creative Healing Sessions (Online)
Throughout the year, we offer Creative Healing sessions, which involve art therapy to heal grief.
If you are interested in more information, call 416-635-2860 ext. 273.
Individual or Group Support for Complex Grief and Bereavement: Suicide Loss and Death by Toxic Supply/Substance Related (In-Person, Phone, or Online)
Experiencing the loss of someone who has died by suicide and/or toxic supply (a substance related death) can have a profound impact on one’s ability to process and cope with the experience. The resultant grief can become complicated and challenging to process, with associated feelings of shame, guilt, resentment, shock, and anger.
We offer support for those who’ve experienced such losses, with the aim to help process the reality and circumstances surrounding the death, as well as develop coping and healing strategies in trying to learn to live with the loss.
Upcoming Groups:
You can sign up for the above group(s) through the above link(s). If you have additional questions or wish to seek individual counselling for complex grief and bereavement, please call 416-635-2860 ext. 273.
Bereavement Support Volunteers
While all of our counselling is done by trained grief professionals, we can also connect you to bereavement support volunteers, who can offer more informal emotional and practical support by phone/video chat.
Our volunteers are all Hospice Palliative Care Ontario-trained with at least 30 hours of intensive training. They are then given additional training in how to provide bereavement support to our clients.
If you have questions or wish to be connected to a volunteer, call 416-635-2860 ext. 273.
Caring Café (Ongoing Drop-In Group on ZOOM)
We offer an ongoing, drop-in group on ZOOM for clients who have completed either our 6–8 week bereavement support group or one-on-one counselling. These informal sessions provide an opportunity to find ongoing comfort and connection with others who share similar experiences.
Once you have completed your initial group or individual counselling, please speak with your grief professional for details on how to join the Caring Café.
What Our Clients Are Saying
“Thank you for such a meaningful bereavement group. I have gained valuable tools and coping mechanisms to deal with my grief. It was really helpful and beneficial to do this in a group setting along other people experiencing similar feelings. I enjoyed our weekly discussions and all of the wonderful resources that were sent to us each week. ”
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