Donor Family Support & Resources

National Crisis Hotlines:

1. 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial or text 988.
2. Veterans: Dial 988 and press 1, or text 838255.
3. Spanish Speakers: Dial 988 and press 2, or text AYUDA to 988.
4. LGBTQ+ Youth: Dial 988 and press 3, or text PRIDE to 988.
5. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free, 24/7 support.
6. YouthLine – https://www.theyouthline.org/ – free peer-to-peer help, support and crisis line for youth up to age 24 – Youth available 4:00pm-10:00pm Pacific Standard Time, adults available all other times
7. TeenLine – https://www.teenline.org/ – highly trained teen listeners provide support, resources and hope to any teen who is struggling – call 800-852-8336 or text 8839863.

Division of Vital Records

1. Request additional certified copies of a death certificate. Search your state: Where to Write for Vital Records – Homepage
2. Maryland Department of Human Services
   Provides information on state-funded burial assistance. Visit the website to review eligibility requirements and application instructions.
3. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
   Offers burial assistance funds, memorial items and potential compensation for surviving spouses and dependents of veterans.
4. Social Security Administration (SSA)
   For more information on how to report the death of someone receiving this benefit or to apply for survivor benefits.

Burial and Final Arrangement Options

1. After a loss, families are often faced with decisions regarding burial or cremation. Many people choose to work with a funeral home, as funeral directors are experienced professionals who can guide families through the process step by step. About – Remembering A Life
2. Direct Cremation Services – Cremation Association of North America (CANA)
3. Whole Body Donation Programs are available. Please reach out to aftercare@infinitelegacy.org for assistance.

Death by Injury, Homicide, Suicide or Criminal Circumstances

Victim Assistance and Support Resources

1. Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB)
   Phone: 1-888-679-9347
   The CICB provides financial assistance to victims of crime in Maryland. Its mission is to remedy harm suffered by victims and to interpret eligibility broadly in favor of claimants.
2. The Crime Victims Compensation Program (CVCP), administered by the D.C. Superior Court, helps innocent victims of violent crime and their families with crime-related expenses. Contact: (202) 879-4216
3. The Virginia Victims Fund (VVF) helps victims of violent crime with expenses not covered by other sources, such as insurance Contact: 1-800-552-4007

Medical Examiner Resources

1. Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME)
   Phone: 410-333-3250
   May need to be contacted to request copies of autopsy reports when applicable.
2. Washington DC OCME
   Phone: (202) 698-9000
   May need to be contacted to request copies of autopsy reports when applicable.
3. Northern Virginia OCME
   (703) 530-2600
   May need to be contacted to request copies of autopsy reports when applicable.

General Grief Online Support

These platforms offer broad resources, including forums, educational materials and peer communities for any type of loss.

1. GriefShare: A structured 13-week video-based support program with thousands of local and online groups.
2. Grief in Common: Connects individuals based on similar backgrounds and experiences for chats and coaching.
3. My Grief Angels: A non-profit offering free online courses, a mobile app and a volunteer-led community. 
4. Center for Loss & Life Transition: Led by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, providing extensive articles and books on the “companioning” model of grief. 
5. Tender Hearts: An online community created by David Kessler offering weekly live sessions and specialized groups. 

These platforms offer broad resources, including forums, educational materials, and peer communities for any type of loss.

1. GriefShare: A structured 13-week video-based support program with thousands of local and online groups.
2. Grief in Common: Connects individuals based on similar backgrounds and experiences for chats and coaching. Home » Online Grief Support Groups: Loss of A Loved One
3. My Grief Angels: A non-profit offering free online courses, a mobile app and a volunteer-led community. 
4. Center for Loss & Life Transition: Led by Dr. Alan Wolfelt, providing extensive articles and books on the “companioning” model of grief. 
5. Tender Hearts: An online community created by David Kessler offering weekly live sessions and specialized groups. 

Support for Specific Losses

1. Loss of a Child/Infant:

   The Compassionate Friends: Support for families after the death of a child, grandchild or sibling at any age.

   MISS Foundation: Counseling, research and peer support specifically for the death of a child.

   Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss: A community for those experiencing the death of a baby.

2. Loss of a Spouse or Partner:
   Soaring Spirits International: Provides the “Widowed Village” online community and peer-led programs.
   Modern Widows Club: A community and advocacy group for women of all ages.
3. Loss of a Parent:
   Motherless Daughters Ministry: Support for women navigating the lifelong journey of losing a mother.
4. Loss Due to Substance Use or Suicide:
   GRASP (Grief Recovery After a Substance Passing): Compassionate support for those who have lost someone to overdose.
   Alliance of Hope Community Forum: A digital community specifically for survivors of suicide loss. 
5. Support for Children and Teens:
   The Dougy Center: A pioneer in peer-led support for grieving children, providing toolkits and activities.
   Eluna Network: Supports children impacted by grief or addiction, including “Camp Erin” programs.
   Talk Grief: A dedicated online space for teenagers and young adults (ages 13–25). 

Book Resources:

1. General Grief & Anxiety

   Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief by Claire Bidwell Smith – Explores the link between loss and panic/anxiety.

   It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine – A guide to navigating grief in a culture that often rushes the process.

   I Wasn’t Ready to Say Goodbye by Brook Noel – Focuses on surviving sudden or unexpected loss.

   Shattered by Rita Schulte – Offers a path to healing through life’s deepest losses.

2. Loss of a Significant Other

   When Your Soulmate Dies by Alan Wolfelt – A guide to “heroic mourning” after losing a partner.

   Love Letters: Reflections on Living With Loss by Andris Baltins – A collection of personal reflections on moving forward.

3. Loss of a Child or Infant

   Bearing the Unbearable by Joanne Cacciatore – A deep exploration of the heart of grief.

   Beyond Tears by Ellen Mitchell – Nine mothers share their experiences of losing a child.

   Grieving Dads: To the Brink and Back by Kelly Farley – Support specifically focused on the male experience of child loss.

4. Loss of a Sibling or Parent

   The Empty Room: Understanding Sibling Loss by Elizabeth DeVita-Raeburn.

   Surviving the Death of a Sibling by T.J. Wray.

   Motherless Daughters by Hope Edelman – Discusses the long-term impact of losing a mother.

   Loss of a Parent by Theresa Jackson – Navigating adult grief when a parent passes.

5. Specific Circumstances: Suicide & Substance Use

   Understanding Your Suicide Grief  by Alan Wolfelt.

   Our Year of Firsts Without You by Bobbi Gilbert – Journey through suicide loss and organ donation.

   When a Child Dies from Drugs by Patricia Wittberger – Practical help for parents facing overdose loss.

6. Widowed Parenting

   Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant – Building resilience and finding joy after loss.

   The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life by Donald L. Rothstein.

Podcasts

1. Highly-Rated & Expert-Led Podcasts

   All There Is with Anderson Cooper: A raw and deeply personal exploration of loss where Cooper speaks with others about the things we carry when people die.

   What’s Your Grief?: Hosted by mental health professionals Eleanor Haley and Litsa Williams, this show demystifies the “crazy” experience of living after loss.

   Grief Out Loud: Produced by The Dougy Center, it focuses on personal stories and advice for children, teens and adults from bereavement experts.

   Grief Works: Psychotherapist Julia Samuel speaks with people about their experiences of great love and loss, offering practical and compassionate insights.

2. Story-Focused & Relatable Conversations

   Terrible, Thanks For Asking:  Hosted by Nora McInerny, this show is known for its “brutal honesty” about how people are really doing after tragedy.

   The Grief Gang: Host Amber Jeffrey created this “gang you never asked to be part of” to foster connection and break the taboos around talking about loss.

   Everything Happens: Kate Bowler, a historian diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, explores finding meaning and beauty in a life that doesn’t go as planned.

3. Using Humor to Heal

   Griefcast: Host Cariad Lloyd invites comedians and media personalities to share stories of their loved ones; it aims to be “cheerier than it sounds” by using humor to normalize death.

   Where’s the Grief?: Comedian Jordan Ferber discusses mourning and the “weird parts” of grief with fellow performers who have been through it too.

   Good Mourning: Two “slightly sweary” mates talk openly about loss, blending honesty, hope, and humor to make people feel less alone.

4. Specialized Grief Topics

   Mindfulness & Grief Podcast: Focuses on using meditation, self-compassion, and mindfulness techniques to navigate the physical and emotional weight of loss.

   Grief Dreams: Explores the common but often undiscussed experience of dreaming about deceased loved ones and what those dreams might mean.

   Widowed Parent Podcast: Hosted by Jenny Lisk, this show provides specific advice and community for those raising children after the loss of a partner.

5. The Hope Cast
   Infinite Legacy’s own podcast brings on donor families, recipients and those in our community to share with us how organ, eye and tissue donation has impacted their lives.

Healing Through Music

1. Spotify Playlists: Search for “Ambient Relaxation,” “Peaceful Piano” or “The Most Relaxing Playlist in the World“.
2. Mindfulness Apps: Calm, Headspace, and Insight Timer offer dedicated music libraries for meditation and sleep.
3. YouTube Channels: Channels like Yellow Brick Cinema and Soothing Relaxation provide hours of continuous ambient and nature-inspired music

Specialized Counseling Centers & Organizations: 

These centers often provide a “companioning” approach with multiple specialized clinicians on staff.

1. Wendt Center for Loss and Healing (DC): A long-standing resource offering grief and trauma counseling for all ages, including specialized child and teen programs. 
2. Capital Caring Health (DMV Regional): Beyond hospice, they provide a 24-hour care line and extensive bereavement counseling services across the entire region.
3. Haven of Northern Virginia (Arlington/Fairfax): A community-based non-profit offering one-on-one support and specialized workshops for various types of loss.
4. Chesapeake Life Center (MD): Offers professional counseling and specialized support groups, including programs for children and sudden/traumatic loss.
5. Sunstone Counseling (Northern VA): A large practice with over 70 therapists specializing in grief, life transitions, and child/adolescent counseling across multiple VA locations.
6. NoVa Grief Support & Counseling – Individual counseling for adults, children & adolescents & workshops.
7. The Womens Center -therapy, support groups, career coaching, workshops (Search your local area MD, VA and DC)
8. Widowed Persons Outreach (DC) – community of widowed persons who join together to support one another and offer the newly bereaved a place to land. We offer support groups, informational programs, and a calendar of social activities gently crafted to receive and support people navigating grief.
9. Hope for Grieving Families (DC) – support and connect grieving families with children in the Greater DC area. Focus on providing fun, family-oriented events, as well as creating a community of support for families who have experienced a loss of a close family member. We also help connect families with agencies that provide grief counseling and professional services.

Peer Support Groups

1. The Compassionate Friends: Offers local chapters in DC, Arlington, Fairfax and Maryland (Potomac/Prince George’s) for families who have lost a child.
2. Friendship Bench DC: Free, peer-led support available weekly at several DC public library locations like the MLK and Mt. Pleasant branches. Friendship Bench DC – HelpAge USA
3. Taylor’s Gift Foundation – Led by peer-to-peer professionals and trained volunteers, Taylor’s Gift provides free, compassionate grief support for families navigating loss after donation, everywhere in the U.S.

Workshops

Learn more about our aftercare workshops below.

Webinars

Each month we offer a live webinar on a different grief-related topic, facilitated by a licensed grief therapist. This is a chance for you to dedicate time in your month to tend to your grief. You won’t be on camera (it is webinar format) but you will be able to ask questions in the chat. If you can’t join live, a recording will be available for one month after the live session. See the dates, times and topics here.

Self-Paced Courses

Each grief support course below offers a variety of lessons include reading, videos and activities that you can complete at your own pace. Check out our self-paced courses here.