Grief Support in Melbourne & Brevard County

Grief does not follow a schedule, and there is no right way to do it. This page lists places in and around Brevard County where people find support, along with a few ideas that many families find helpful.

Local and phone support

• Hospice bereavement programs. Hospice of Health First and VITAS Healthcare serve Brevard County and provide bereavement support to the families of patients. Ask whether community grief groups are open to others. Hospice contacts
• Your funeral home. Many funeral homes offer grief resources. Our featured partner, Buggs Funeral Home, offers a year of weekly grief support emails.
• Faith communities. Many congregations run grief groups open to the public.
• 211 Brevard. Dial 211 for referrals to local counseling and support groups.
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 any time if you are struggling to cope or thinking about harming yourself.

Helping children grieve

• Use simple, honest words such as “died” rather than “went to sleep” or “we lost him,” which can confuse young children.
• Let children choose whether to attend the visitation or funeral, and tell them beforehand what they will see.
• Expect grief to come and go. Children often grieve in short bursts between play.
• Tell teachers and coaches so they can offer support.
• Ask a hospice bereavement team or pediatrician if you are worried about how a child is coping.

Practical ways people remember

• A photo table or memory board at the service, and a guest book for stories as well as names
• A memorial garden, bench or tree
• A donation to a cause the person cared about
• Keeping a journal, or writing letters to the person who died
• Marking anniversaries and birthdays in a way that feels right to your family

Related: Planning a memorial service · Brevard County resources