The Right Place When Nothing Feels Right
At Dougy Center, you will find support, resources, and connection before and after a death.
Grief Resources & Toolkits
Whether you’re grieving, or you’re helping someone who is grieving, Dougy Center is here for you. Find tip sheets, activities, podcasts, and more through our personalized toolkits.
Find Grief Support Near You
Locate peer grief support groups in Portland and around the world.
What We Do
At Dougy Center, we create safe spaces and free resources for children and families who are grieving. Our pioneering peer grief support model, professional training, and world-renowned programs and advocacy bring hope and healing around the world.
The Impact of Dougy Center
Read stories about the positive impact of Dougy Center on children and families who are grieving
Meet the Lucas Family
Brigitte Lucas began bringing her daughter, Braelynn, to Dougy Center’s “Littles” group twice a month after her husband, Ethan, died of COVID just a few days before Christmas in 2021. Dougy Center is one of the few places where Brigitte, Braelynn, and Blaykley can talk about Ethan and feel safe to express whatever they need. Like other young children who are grieving, Braelynn struggled after Ethan’s death as she tried to understand what happened. She was tearful sometimes, mad sometimes, and sometimes regressed to earlier developmental stages. Brigitte was amazed when these behaviors began to ease not long after they started a Dougy Center group.
Read the Full StoryGrief Out Loud Podcast
Grief Out Loud® is our internationally acclaimed podcast where we talk openly about death, dying, and grief
Latest Episode
October 18th, 2024
Losing Them More Than Once - When Your Ex Dies
No one is perfect and no one is just one story, but how do you grieve when the person who died was so different than the person you fell in love with? When Jenn met and fell in love with Jesse, she never imagined their relationship would unravel due to his struggles with mental health and alcohol use disorder. Jesse died in 2020 and Jenn's been left to reconcile the man she loved with the one she eventually had to leave. His death also left her unsure where her grief fits in the world of bereavement and how to support their son, whose grief is complicated by the impact his father's illness had on their relationship. read more...
Go to EpisodeNews & Events
November 1st, 2024
Día de Los Muertos
Día de los Muertos is a time of celebration, and gathering of families and friends, to remember their loved ones. We encourage you and your family to honor the lives of the people in your life who have died with their favorite food, drinks, and activities. On November 1 and 2, we invite you to post photos of your loved one in celebration of Día de Los Muertos to your social media. Use #dougycenterofrenda and tag Dougy Center @thedougycenter.
Read MoreEvent
October 29th, 2024
Focus on Hope
Focus on Hope honors the shared experiences, hope, and healing found at Dougy Center. There are two ways to support Dougy Center through the Focus on Hope campaign. Join us for an inspiring luncheon on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, and be part of the Focus on Hope Online Challenge through the month of October.
Event
November 21st, 2024
FREE TO ATTEND: Too Young to Grieve? A Dougy Center Children's Grief Awareness Day Webinar
A common myth is that children may not be impacted like adults after a death. In fact, it's not uncommon to hear comments such as "They are too young to understand" when referring to children's experiences of loss. Join Dougy Center staff for this free webinar where we dispel myths and raise awareness about children's grief.
About Dougy Center
Dougy Center was founded in 1982 to support children and families who are grieving before and after a death. Today, The Dougy Center Model is world-renowned and has helped 60,000 people find hope and healing.