The Mission of Compassionate Friends:
 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.

TO OUR NEW MEMBERS 

Coming to the first meeting is the hardest, but you have nothing to lose and everything to gain! Try not to judge your first meeting as to whether or not The Compassionate Friends will work for you. At the next meeting you may find just the right person or just the right words said that will help you in your grief work.  

TO OUR MEMBERS WHO ARE FURTHER DOWN THE “GRIEF ROAD” 

Each meeting we have new parents, siblings and grandparents. THINK BACK – what would it have been like for you at your first meeting if there had not been any TCF “veterans” to welcome you, share your grief, encourage you and tell you, “your pain will not always be this bad, it really does get better!”  We welcome your support! 


YOU NEED NOT WALK ALONE, WE ARE THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS



Seven Principles

The Compassionate Friends was established based upon seven principles. The principles are reviewed and minor wording changes have been made from time to time, but they continue to stand the test of time:
TCF offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.
TCF believes that bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents can help each other toward a positive resolution of grief.
TCF reaches out across society's barriers to all bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents.
TCF understands that every members has individual needs and rights.
TCF reaches out to the bereaved primarily through our community of local chapters.
TCF chapters belong to their members.
TCF chapters are coordinated nationally to extend help to each other, and to bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents everywhere.