There is no greater support than someone who can also relate and understand the depths of your grief. Oftentimes, the loss of a sibling is overshadowed by the loss of a child, and siblings will sometimes feel alone or forgotten. These losses are different and need to be treated differently. There is no exact way of grieving a sister or a brother, as each loss is unique to that person and the relationship he or she had with their sibling. Having the support and a safe place to talk about your loss is important and necessary in the grieving process. COPE allows a place of healing and connectedness in your time of grief. A sibling support group is offered to help you along your journey. This will allow you to feel connected to your sibling, as well as others sharing similar losses.

“After my sister died, I didn’t feel the need to go to any support groups because I thought I could cope on my own. It wasn’t until I started attending the COPE sibling group that I realized I needed the support and sensitivity of people who have suffered a similar loss.” – GJ

Support groups offer siblings the companionship and true understanding from others who have also lost a sibling and are experiencing the similar challenges that living with this loss brings. Participating in a group offers many benefits including: