About TCF

WE NEED NOT WALK ALONE

The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is a national non-profit, self-help support organization offering friendship, understanding, and hope to families grieving the death of a child of any age from any cause. There is no religious affiliation and no individual membership fees or dues.

Our Mission:

When a child dies, at any age, the family suffers intense pain and may feel hopeless and isolated. The Compassionate Friends provides highly personal comfort, hope, and support to every family experiencing the death of a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, or a grandchild, and helps others better assist the grieving family.

(adopted 2-25-2012)

Through a network of more than 650 chapters with locations in all 50 states, as well as Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam, The Compassionate Friends has been supporting bereaved families after the death of a child for four decades.

The National Office and its staff also provide many levels of support to our chapters, as well as individual responses to those who call on the phone, contact us through our website, or send an e-mail that simply says, “My child has died. Help me!” We will be here as long as you need us. That is our commitment to you.

A Message from our Founder:

“The Compassionate Friends is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope.

It takes people out of the isolation society imposes on the bereaved
and lets them express their grief naturally.

With the shedding of tears, healing comes.

And the newly bereaved get to see people who have survived
and are learning to live and love again.”

~Simon Stephens – Founder, The Compassionate Friends