The primary disadvantage is that group members can become so familiar with one another that newer participants may feel somewhat excluded at first. Group members all begin the same day and commit themselves to participating for the full number of sessions. While participants in close-ended groups may need to wait for the next group to start, there is a set number of sessions which can make planning easier. Most groups will allow participants to repeat the group if they feel the need. Self Help Groups Self help groups, also called mutual help groups, occur when people who share a common problem come together to help one another.
Some groups are limited to a specific type of loss while others are general bereavement groups.
Self-help groups are usually free or offered at very low cost and generally offer volunteer opportunities. Some bereavement groups are open to anyone who has experienced a death, regardless of the relationship between the deceased and survivor. Group participants will be mixed between parents, children, spouses, siblings, etc. In general, the group that closest meets your specific loss, the more you will find it helpful. Some groups also specialize in the type of death, such as homicide, suicide, long-term illness or sudden death.