Brighter Days Family Grief Center is an unparalleled family-focused grief center serving Minnesota families since 2017. As the only nonprofit Family Grief Center in Minnesota, we provide free grief support resources, programs and services for youth, young adults and adults who are grieving the death or terminal diagnosis of a beloved family member. We believe that every family member must have compassionate and comprehensive support in order to move forward and heal together.

Who are we? We are a team of professionals who believe deeply in comprehensive care for the entire family. We are the lifeline for so many who reach out to us in their time of anguish. We are the trusted partner of hospitals, hospices, schools, community foundations and other non-profits. And....we are parents. Parents who have grieving children, too, and who have experienced the depth of helplessness of not knowing where to turn. Our reputation is built on personal experience, knowledge, dedication and most of all compassion.

Our model of care is truly exceptional; providing one of a kind support logistically, financially and psychosocially. We realize each family member grieves differently and therefore has different needs. Our goal is to help determine those needs and provide the resources to compassionately address them. Our recent acquisition of Fairview Health’s Youth Grief Services program allows us to provide even greater support for youth and young adults. We are truly honored to be chosen as a well-respected partner in the grief community to give this exceptional 20+ year program a new home.

Overall, we hope to lessen the devastating impact that grief can have on a family as well as a community. By providing a compassionate space for people to gather, with access to crucial programs and services, we will work to help children, families and communities move forward together rather than apart. Visit www.brighterdaysgriefcenter.org/our-wish to learn about our future build in the Twin Cities!

Our Approach

We believe that our approach to a holistic model of care will lay the foundation for moving each family in a positive and healthy direction as they learn to live together without their loved one. It can no longer be the norm that just one or two members of the family have support; every family member MUST have access to psychosocial, logistical and financial resources that have their specific needs and comfort in mind. We provide compassionate and tailored resources and services for the whole family, even the little ones. Additionally, we work tirelessly to bring awareness to schools, communities, and organizations to make sure families receive compassionate and appropriate support in all settings.

Youth (ages 4-17)

Our Youth Program is an enhancement to an already well-known youth program we proudly acquired in 2020 formerly known as Fairview's Youth Grief Services (read article HERE.) This 20+ year proven program served hundreds of youth annually, ages 4-17, through a 6-week grief support series and summer camps through Camp Erin. We intend to continue with these supports while enhancing this program to include monthly grief support groups, professional grief and trauma counseling, summer activities, grief retreats and other peer-based events that provide connection to others who have experienced a similar loss. We view this connection as one of the most important emotional aspects of our model of care; knowing that there are others who understand can help diminish the level of isolation one typically feels.

Young Adults (ages 18-30)

Young adults are often overlooked when it comes to losing a parent or sibling at this stage in life. They carry the weight of trying to find independence while worrying about their grieving parents and siblings. Our Young Adult program will concentrate on specific supports to address the needs and concerns of this age group through monthly support groups, social events, retreats, and education. Our Young Adult program also provides an opportunity to connect with other grieving young adults through our private Facebook groups.

Adults

For adults, we offer a more in-depth level of support because we understand that the impact of grief can bring additional stress of legal and financial issues. Aside from providing grief support options, we provide free consultations with insurance agents, real estate attorneys, and financial advisers. We offer assistance for the overwhelming logistics like memorializing social media accounts or filing for social security benefits. Additionally, we help to provide grocery cards, pre-made meals, and many other forms of personalized support through our Embrace-A-Family program.

Families

This is our main focus! We want you to know that there is support for your whole family, even the little ones! Our family offerings focus on the overall psychosocial wellness of the family such as access to self-care workshops, family grief support, weekend retreats and family activities. We also offer various events at our center and in the community through our partners and other organizations.

Our Mission

To provide a private and compassionate space for children, adults, and families grieving the death or terminal diagnosis of a family member; to offer access to professional grief support services and resources; and to instill hope by providing connection to others through peer-based events, programs and activities.

Our Values:

Respect for each other and for anyone that visits our center.
Integrity in the work we do and the words we speak.
Compassion for each person and for every circumstance.
Confidentiality in honoring an individual’s right to privacy.

Who We Are