Dealing With Grief and Loss in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Grief and loss are part of life, but that doesn’t make them easy—especially when you’re facing them here in Grand Rapids, far from extended family or during our long Michigan winters. Grief is not only about the death of a loved one. It can arise from many kinds of change and loss, including:

  • Losing independence due to aging or illness
  • Moving from your longtime Grand Rapids home into assisted living or a nursing facility
  • Changes in health, such as dementia or chronic illness
  • Loss of work, financial security, or a long‑held role in your family or community

For older adults in Grand Rapids, grief can be tied to feeling like you’ve lost your “voice” in decisions about your daily care, housing, or medical treatment. Caregivers, especially those supporting a loved one with dementia, often experience their own deep sense of loss as the person they love changes over time.

These experiences can affect:

  • Physical health (sleep, appetite, pain, energy)
  • Mental wellbeing (anxiety, depression, confusion)
  • Relationships and family dynamics
  • Finances and living arrangements

In West Michigan, seasonal changes can add another layer. Shorter daylight hours, icy roads, and isolation during winter months can intensify feelings of sadness and loneliness.

The important thing to remember: these feelings are normal. Grief does not follow a schedule, and there is no deadline for “getting over it.” With time, and often with support, many people in Grand Rapids gradually learn to live with their grief and find new ways to move forward.

Everyone Experiences Grief and Loss Differently

You may feel:

  • Teary or deeply sad
  • Angry, irritable, or resentful
  • Frustrated or helpless
  • Confused or “numb”
  • Anxious or fearful about the future

These are all common expressions and symptoms of grief and loss. Sometimes the feelings are so complex or long‑standing that you—and those around you—may not immediately recognize them as grief.

In a community as diverse as Grand Rapids, grief can also be shaped by culture, faith, and family traditions. There is no single “right” way to grieve.

There Is No Right or Wrong Way to Grieve

As long as you are not harming yourself or others, your way of grieving is valid. People in Grand Rapids cope in many different ways—through faith communities, nature walks along the Grand River, support groups at local hospitals, or quiet time at home.

Below are some strategies that may help you manage grief and loss.

1. Allow Yourself to Cry

Some people worry that if they start crying, they will never stop. Others feel that crying is a sign of weakness. In reality, crying is a normal human response to intense emotion.

  • If you feel the need to cry, let yourself cry.
  • You may choose to cry with someone you trust—a family member, friend, pastor, or counselor.
  • It is also okay to cry alone.

If you do not cry, it does not mean you are not grieving. People show grief in different ways.

2. Spend Some Time Alone

Being alone can give you space to process your feelings, especially if you live in a busy household or caregiving situation.

You might:

  • Sit in a garden, on your porch, or in a local park like Millennium Park or Riverside Park
  • Pray, meditate, or reflect quietly
  • Look through old photographs or keepsakes
  • Write in a journal or diary
  • Visit a peaceful spot, such as a church, chapel, or quiet corner of your home

Try to schedule even a short time each day to check in with yourself and acknowledge what you’re feeling.

3. Do Some Physical Activity

Gentle movement can help release tension and improve mood. In a city like Grand Rapids, with long winters and beautiful summers, your options may change with the seasons.

If you are physically able, consider:

  • Walking indoors at a mall or community center during icy months
  • Walking outdoors on local trails or around your neighborhood in warmer weather
  • Joining a walking group, senior fitness class, or low‑impact exercise program
  • Participating in group classes offered by Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, or Metro Health wellness programs

Always check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine, especially if you have chronic health conditions.

4. Pamper Yourself

Grief is exhausting. Small comforts can make a big difference.

You might:

  • Enjoy a favorite meal or warm drink
  • Read a book, listen to music, or watch a comforting movie
  • Take a warm bath or shower
  • Work on a hobby—crafts, gardening, puzzles, or fishing at a local lake when the weather allows

Choose activities that bring you real comfort, not just distraction.

5. Seek Out Support

You do not have to face grief alone. In Grand Rapids, support can come from many places:

  • Family and friends
  • Faith communities and local churches
  • Your primary care provider or specialist
  • Community mental health and counseling centers
  • Grief support groups offered by local hospitals and hospices

It is also okay if there are times when you prefer to be alone. Balance connection with the solitude you need.

When to Seek Professional Help for Grief in Grand Rapids

For some people, grief eases over time with the support of family, friends, and community. For others, professional support can be very helpful, especially if you:

  • Feel stuck in your grief for a long time
  • Have trouble functioning day to day (e.g., working, caring for yourself, or maintaining relationships)
  • Feel hopeless, numb, or disconnected most of the time
  • Use alcohol, drugs, or other behaviors to escape your feelings
  • Have thoughts of harming yourself or others

Professional help can include:

  • Grief counseling or therapy
  • Support groups for bereavement, caregivers, or those facing serious illness
  • Spiritual care or pastoral counseling
  • Palliative care and hospice support for patients and families

In Grand Rapids, major healthcare systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health often offer grief and bereavement resources through their hospitals, cancer centers, and hospice programs.

Local Grief and Loss Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

Emergency Help

If you are in immediate danger, have harmed yourself, or are afraid you might:

  • Call 911 right away.
  • You can also go to the nearest emergency department, such as:
    • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
    • Metro Health Hospital

24/7 Crisis and Emotional Support (United States‑Wide)

These services are available from Grand Rapids and anywhere in Michigan:

  • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

    • Call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org
    • 24/7 confidential support for anyone in emotional distress, including grief and loss

  • Crisis Text Line

    • Text HOME to 741741
    • Free, 24/7 text‑based support with a trained crisis counselor

Local Mental Health and Community Resources

  • Network180 (Kent County Community Mental Health Authority)

    • Provides mental health, substance use, and developmental disability services for Kent County residents
    • Phone: (616) 336‑3909
    • Website: network180.org

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Can connect you with local mental health and community support resources
    • Phone: (616) 632‑7100
    • Website: accesskent.com/health

  • Grand Rapids Public Health / City of Grand Rapids

    • Offers information on community programs and wellness resources
    • Website: grcity.us

Hospital‑Based and Hospice Grief Support (Grand Rapids Area)

Many local healthcare systems provide grief and bereavement services, including:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – West Michigan

  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids

  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

  • Local Hospice Organizations

    • Many hospices in the Grand Rapids area provide free or low‑cost bereavement support for families after a death, even if your loved one was not enrolled in their hospice. Contact local hospices to ask about grief groups and counseling.

Check each organization’s website or call directly for current program details, schedules, and eligibility.

Talking Things Through Can Help

Sometimes it is easier to talk to someone who is not part of your family or close circle. A trained counselor, social worker, or chaplain can:

  • Listen without judgment
  • Help you name and understand your feelings
  • Offer coping strategies tailored to your situation
  • Connect you with local resources in Grand Rapids and West Michigan

You can access support through:

  • Your primary care doctor (ask for a referral to a counselor or therapist)
  • Behavioral health services at local hospitals
  • Private therapists specializing in grief and loss
  • Community mental health agencies (such as Network180)
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), if offered by your employer

Grief and Loss in the Context of Michigan’s Seasons

Living in Michigan’s Great Lakes region means dealing with long, cold winters, shorter days, and sometimes limited mobility due to snow and ice. These factors can:

  • Increase isolation, especially for older adults and those without transportation
  • Worsen symptoms of depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  • Make it harder to attend support groups or appointments in person

To cope during winter in Grand Rapids:

  • Ask about telehealth or online counseling options
  • Join virtual support groups hosted by local or national organizations
  • Use phone calls, video chats, and online faith services to stay connected
  • Try to get some daylight exposure each day, even briefly, when it’s safe to go outside

When Grief Becomes Overwhelming

If grief feels unbearable or you notice any of the following, reach out for help immediately:

  • Thoughts of harming yourself or others
  • Feeling that life is not worth living
  • Unable to care for yourself (eating, sleeping, basic hygiene)
  • Using alcohol, drugs, or risky behaviors to cope

From Grand Rapids, you can:

  • Call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
  • Call 911 in an emergency
  • Go to the nearest emergency room

You are not alone, and help is available 24 hours a day.

Key Points About Grief and Loss in Grand Rapids, MI

  • Feelings of grief and loss are completely normal, whether they follow a death, a major life change, or a loss of independence.
  • Grief has no fixed timeline. Everyone grieves in their own way and at their own pace.
  • Symptoms of grief can include sadness, anger, confusion, anxiety, and changes in sleep or appetite.
  • You can support your healing by allowing yourself to feel, spending time alone when needed, staying gently active, and seeking connection.
  • Professional support—through local Grand Rapids hospitals, clinics, counselors, and community services—can be very helpful, especially when grief feels overwhelming.
  • If you are in crisis or thinking about self‑harm, call 988 or 911 for immediate help.

Grief is a journey, but you do not have to walk it alone. In Grand Rapids and across West Michigan, there are caring professionals, community organizations, and neighbors ready to support you.