All participants have recently experienced the death of a spouse. We come to be with others who share a common experience. Through learning and listening we can come to understand that we are not alone. Others in our situation have survived and even grown. We can gain strength and courage from their example.
Support groups are informal and are usually a sharing of information and support.
We study educational materials written by experts in the field or those who have personally experienced the grieving process. They also discuss their own experiences. No one is forced to talk or reveal personal information. Anyone who prefers to remain silent may do so. It is found that by expressing our thoughts we find a common bond with others who have shared similar experiences.