Grief Support in Acadiana

You don’t have to grieve alone.

Loss can change everything.

Whether you’re grieving someone you love, facing an unexpected loss, or trying to help someone who’s hurting, there are people and resources in Acadiana ready to walk alongside you. You don’t need to know exactly what you need yet.

Start wherever you are. There is no right way to do this.

There is no timeline

Grief doesn’t follow a schedule.

Grief can look like sadness. But it can also look like anger, exhaustion, guilt, numbness, anxiety, relief, confusion, trouble concentrating, changes in sleep, or feeling completely unlike yourself.

There is no universal timeline and no single correct way to grieve. You may need people around you. You may need space. You may need professional support. You may simply need someone who understands.

Whatever grief looks like today, you don’t have to carry all of it by yourself.

When should I consider professional help?

Professional support may be especially valuable when distress feels intense or persistent, daily life has become difficult, substance use is increasing, or you feel unsafe. For thoughts of self-harm or suicide, call or text 988 now. If danger is immediate, call 911.

Hospice of Acadiana — Center for Loss & Transition

Free bereavement services for anyone grieving a loss, whether or not your loved one was a hospice patient. Nationally certified bereavement counselors offer individual counseling, ongoing grief support groups (Level 1 for recent loss, Level 2 for continuing the journey), Healing Through Art, and workshops. Serving Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes. Call 337-889-5369 to schedule individual counseling.

Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

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Last verified: September 2026

Camp Brave Hearts (Hospice of Acadiana)

A free annual summer day camp for children ages 6–12 who are grieving the death of a loved one. Staffed by counselors, social workers, nurses, and trained volunteers, the camp gives kids a safe place to share their stories and express feelings through fun activities and peer support.

Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

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Last verified: September 2026

The Compassionate Friends — Acadiana Chapter

A peer-led support group for bereaved parents, grandparents, and siblings after the death of a child, grandchild, or sibling. Meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 pm at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 400 Camellia Boulevard, Lafayette. Every person in the room understands this loss firsthand.

Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

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Last verified: September 2026

The RescYOU Group

A Lafayette nonprofit supporting Acadiana families after the loss of a child from one year of age through seventeen (or enrolled in high school). They offer free grief counseling and ongoing weekly and monthly support groups, a Navigator Program pairing newly grieving families with trained bereaved mentors, support for siblings and children, and financial assistance for end-of-life expenses. Serving Lafayette and surrounding Acadiana parishes.

Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

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Last verified: September 2026

GriefShare Grief Recovery Groups — Lafayette Area

Weekly faith-based grief recovery groups meeting at churches across Lafayette, including Asbury United Methodist, First Baptist, Family Life Church, Covenant Methodist, Our Savior's Church, and The Bayou Church. Sessions are self-contained, so you can join any week. Attending is free; an optional participant workbook is about $20–$25, with scholarships available.

Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

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Last verified: September 2026

Bienvenu Counseling Services

A nonprofit counseling agency in Lafayette offering professional individual, couple, and family counseling for adults, adolescents, and children — including grief and loss. Faith-based and open to people of every background and belief.

Lafayette, Lafayette Parish

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Last verified: September 2026

Resource information can change. We recommend contacting an organization directly before visiting or attending a group.

When a child is grieving

Children don’t always grieve the way adults expect. Grief may show up through questions, silence, anger, clinginess, changes at school, play, fear, or behavior. You don’t need to have every answer.

Helping a Young Child

Age-appropriate communication, familiar routines, and honest reassurance can help a child feel safer.

Helping a Teen

Make room for grief without forcing conversation. Keep showing up and let them choose how to connect.

School & Community Support

A school counselor or trusted community leader can help a child return to routines while making room for grief.

Professional Support

Find qualified Acadiana professionals experienced in supporting grieving children and families.

If you have concerns about a child’s safety, daily functioning, or wellbeing, consult a qualified professional. In immediate danger, call 911.

You don’t have to fix their grief.

If someone you love is grieving, you may be worried about saying the wrong thing. You don’t need the perfect words.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is stay.

Things you can say

“I’m here.”
“You don’t have to talk, but I’ll listen if you want to.”
“I was thinking about you today.”
“Can I bring dinner on Thursday?”
“Tell me about them, if you want to.”

Instead of trying to…

Find a silver lining
Explain why the loss happened
Tell them how they should feel
Compare their grief to someone else’s
Rush them toward “moving on”

Don’t disappear because you don’t know what to say. Showing up matters.

Know a grief resource we should include?

If you know an Acadiana counselor, nonprofit, support group, faith community, hospice program, or other organization helping people through grief, tell us about them.

Wherever you are in this

You don’t have to know how to do grief.

You don’t have to be strong every minute. You don’t have to have the right words. And you don’t have to figure out everything that comes next today.

Start with one connection.