Grief is lonely.
It’s a universal experience, yet when you’re in it, it can feel like you’re the only person in the world going through it. Loneliness in grief can be off the charts. Not only can relationships and support systems change, but there’s a human-sized hole in your life, where somebody important once lived, making the world feel empty. Grief flips your world upside down – everything is unfamiliar. To love is to be human, but it also means it’s goddamn lonely when we lose it. We know this all too well. In fact, meeting through a grief support community because we felt lonely is what brought us together in the first place. If you’re searching for a grief support group to hold space for you, read on…
How loneliness in grief brought us together
We consider ourselves pretty well supported, but even though we had friends and family members around us, we both longed for someone who really understood the grief that we were feeling, in real-time. So, we started to look for online grief support, which took us to Motherless Daughters Australia’s private Facebook bereavement support group.
We didn’t realise it then, but a chance meet-up organised by one of the group members would have a big impact on our lives. It was nerve-wracking to put ourselves out there at first. We can both still clearly picture sitting down at the table and sitting across from each other. As we took turns sharing our stories, we felt a connection. You know that feeling when you can just tell someone is your kinda person? Yeah, that.
How a Facebook DM led to grief besties
We didn’t get a chance to talk properly, or swap numbers. But we thought about each other during the week that followed, and it was Im who made the first move, sending Sal a message on Facebook…
We would meet up and spend hours talking about the world of grief we found ourselves in and how desperately lonely it all felt. One thing we kept coming back to when we’d meet was how little society actually talks about grief and how isolating that can feel.
One afternoon we had a lightbulb moment. We both realised that if we felt alone, there must be LOADS of other people out there feeling the same way. And that was the exact moment Good Mourning was born. From our shared feelings of loneliness, to create a platform to talk candidly about grief, and build a grief support community where other grievers could connect, feel heard and validated.
Finding your grief people (and why it matters)
Friendships change. People get awkward. Some fall away entirely. And because society often sucks at talking about grief, it can lead to deep feelings of isolation and disappointment.
If you haven’t got people in your life who can truly meet you where you are – or provide space for your feelings – you might start stuffing them down. Not because you want to, but because it feels safer than “being too much.” Also, what you need from a friend might change, and you might feel you can’t connect to others in the same way. Both are really common after loss.
That’s where finding a grief buddy, or joining a bereavement support group, can be a game-changer. Someone who’s been through a similar loss, is around your age, or lives nearby – that kind of connection can make you feel seen. Whether it’s through attending a local support group, joining online grief support, or even just following grief-related content on social media, connecting with others who get it can be a huge part of healing.
What a grief support community can offer you
One of the most powerful parts of grief support is finding a tribe – people who truly GET IT. No platitudes. No pressure to move on. Just space to feel what you feel. Our grief support membership was created for exactly this reason. It’s a safe, supportive, and non-judgemental space for anyone navigating grief to find comfort, connection and tools for emotional wellbeing.
It’s not therapy. But it’s deeply therapeutic.
Inside the Good Mourning grief support membership
Whether you’re newly grieving or years down the track, our grief support network is here for you. Inside the membership, you’ll find:
- Monthly challenges designed to move you forward one step at a time
- Guest expert workshops
- A private community forum full of like-minded grievers
- Real conversations, zero toxic positivity
- Resources that support your emotional and mental health
📍 Join the Good Mourning Membership
A final word – you are not alone
We created the community we wished existed when we were in the thick of it. Grief is hard enough without doing it solo. If you’re craving real connection, safe spaces, and people who understand the emotional whiplash that grief can bring, we’re here.
You don’t have to explain yourself. You don’t have to hide the hard bits. You just have to show up, as you are.
Author bio:
Good Mourning is one of the world’s top grief podcasts, with over 1.2 million downloads and a loyal global community. Founded by grief educators and authors Sally Douglas and Imogen Carn, Good Mourning offers compassionate, relatable, and expert-informed content to help people navigate loss, grief, and healing. From bestselling books to community-led workshops and podcast interviews with leading experts, Good Mourning is a trusted grief support hub for anyone experiencing life’s hardest moments.
Learn more at goodmourning.com.au
FAQ:
Is the Good Mourning Membership just for recent losses?
Not at all. Whether your loss is new, happened years ago, or sits somewhere in between — you’re welcome here. Grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and neither do we.
What kind of grief is this space for?
All kinds. Death of a parent, partner, sibling, child, friend. Anticipatory grief. Complicated grief. If you’re grieving someone or something important, you belong.
What if I’m not great at opening up or sharing?
That’s okay. There’s no pressure to participate in a certain way. Some people share. Others read and reflect quietly. You get to show up exactly as you are.
How is this different from a traditional bereavement support group?
We’re not clinical or overly formal. Think: warm, relatable, real-talk grief support rooted in lived experience, emotional education, and nervous system tools. It’s more like a grounded grief support network, with resources and people who understand.
Is the membership just for women?
Nope. While most of our members identify as women, our community is open to all genders and anyone who feels aligned with our values.
Do I have to be in Australia?
Not at all. We have members all over the world. Most of our resources and sessions are available on-demand, so you can access them whenever suits you.
