Online Support Group for Bereaved Fathers (Men only please)

11 March 2025, 19.00 – 20.30
Online via Zoom
PLEASE BOOK HERE
These groups are most suitable for parents who have been bereaved for at least three months. If your loss is more recent (under three months), we encourage you to reach out to our helpline 1-1 listening support from TCF’s bereaved parent volunteers at 0345 123 2304.
***
The death of our child affects us as no other death can. However deeply we have loved anyone else who has died, we now face a loss that seems to be outside the natural order of things. We are devastated as the unthinkable has happened: our child has died and we are still alive. Every parent must face this terrible ordeal of grief when their child died, but how we as fathers and men deal with our feelings can differ from how mothers and women grieve.
Historically, society held different expectations for men and women’s emotions; women were allowed to cry in public, while men were expected to hold back their tears. As adult men facing overwhelming emotions, we may feel pressure to suppress our grief in order to protect those around us. But we too need the space to express our sorrow and to acknowledge the deep pain we carry.
Many men find it helpful to connect with others who have experienced a similar loss. These conversations often touch on how grief affects us and our relationships, the differences in how men and women grieve, returning to work, combating isolation, finding ways to cope, remembering our child and more.
This is a chance for bereaved men to connect online, share our emotions, and find mutual understanding, reassurance and support.
Some feedback from dads that have attended previous groups:
‘...a safe space that I can use to voice my grief with other fathers.’
“Having a group dedicated to bereaved dads was so positive. To share insight and experience with other men created a feeling of being noticed and heard. We are often the overlooked party in grieving for a child as we are there to support and help our loved ones, but this gave us a voice and a safe place to discuss and express how much we hurt too. The format was relaxed yet well run and I have no hesitation in recommending TCF and this service to anyone who needs it.
Thank you so much for always being there for us grieving dads too.”
***
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
This online support group is only for fathers or step fathers bereaved of a child.
To ensure the group remains as helpful as possible, we limit the number of attendees. Once you book, you will receive further details and the Zoom link closer to the meeting date. If you do not receive the link by the day of the meeting, please check your spam or junk folders. For any queries, please contact info@tcf.org.uk.
When you book for this group, you will be directed to a webpage where we ask you to share some details about your bereavement. This information helps us ensure the group is as supportive and helpful as possible for you.
Whenever possible, we kindly ask that you join the group using a desktop computer, laptop, or tablet for the best experience. If you use a mobile phone, you may not be able to see all other participants in the session and this can detract from the group experience for you and for other attendees.
Please note that these online support groups are facilitated by bereaved parent volunteers, who are not professionals. What we offer is a uniquely warm, understanding, and supportive space led by parents who have also experienced the loss of a child and have found connection and hope through The Compassionate Friends.
Since spaces are limited, please book via this webpage to secure your place. Bookings can only be made online, and if the session is full, priority will be given to parents who have not attended a Compassionate Friends online support group before.
Please note: This group is for bereaved parents in the UK only. If you are joining from outside the UK, please email us at events@tcf.org.uk for further guidance.
If you are newly bereaved:
Please note that our online support group may not be ideal for parents who are newly bereaved, as we understand how vulnerable and raw the grief can feel in the early weeks and months. While we will offer verbal empathy, we cannot provide the physical presence and comfort that in-person groups can, especially during moments of deep emotion. Our online meetings are also shorter, which limits the time we have for each participant to speak.
In the early stages of grief, it’s important to share your story, but we ask that everyone keeps it brief to allow everyone a chance to speak and to avoid re-traumatising others with graphic details. It would be helpful to know where you are in your grief and whether you’re already receiving TCF support. We may contact you to determine if our online group is the right support for you at this time.
For any further questions, please contact events@tcf.org.uk
PLEASE BOOK HERE
Support our work
Each year thousands of parents suffer the loss of a son or a daughter. Please help TCF to support families in their time of greatest need.
Tell us what you think
Whatever your contact with TCF we encourage you to give us feedback so that we can continue to improve our support.