Grief | Help Texts

Grief is heavy. Who is helping you carry it?

Gentle grief support straight to your phone, for as long as you need us.

Start getting texts

How it works:

Get ongoing, expert grief support straight to your phone.

1. Sign up for texts

It only takes 5 minutes to complete our sign up form. The more you're comfortable sharing, the better we'll be able to customize your text messages based on age, relationship, cause of death, and dates that are important to you (like a death anniversary or a holiday).

My name is Sarah. My mom, Deborah, died from cancer on January 19, 2020. I would like extra support on Passover, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Hanukkah.

2. Add supporters

This step is optional, but research shows that receiving support from others helps grievers feel less alone after a death.

Using your customized email template or QR code, easily send invites to the people you'd like to support you. Once they accept, we'll text them gentle suggestions and tips about how to be there for you.

You focus on taking care of yourself; we'll take care of educating your friends and family.

3. Start getting texts

Once you're signed up, there's nothing else you need to do. You'll receive your first text within minutes. Sit back and let helpful, expert grief wisdom come to you.

Start getting texts

Hi, Sarah. The next time someone asks you how they can help out, why not ask them to tell you about a time that your mom really made them laugh? That may not be the kind of help they were thinking of, but it will be more fun to give (and to receive).

Grieving people are getting easy, ongoing support from Help Texts

I was gifted Help Texts after my father died, and I've gifted it to many others now, especially men. There's a stigma around male grief. With Help Texts, you can ponder the messages on your own time without the pressure of grieving in front of others. It feels like a private, personal consult for your grief.

Mark Busse, Help Texts subscriber, Vancouver, Canada

First Choice Health regularly receives inquiries from our clients and their employees related to grief and loss. Partnering with Help Texts allows us to provide more support to members which helps them to participate more fully in their work, which benefits everyone. We are pleased to offer this personalized service that helps people learn, understand and better cope with loss and grief.

Jeremy Battershell, Director, Client Services, First Choice Health

Help Texts not only provides me—the griever—with support, but it also sends those closest to me reminders and suggestions on how to show up during my grieving process. Without anyone feeling bombarded with messages, we are all given gentle nudges and caring lifts. Help Texts is especially great for those who might not be sure what to say or do and for grievers who might be wondering if what they're feeling is 'normal.'

Amy Bishop, end-of-life doula

Help Texts has been my go-to gift when someone loses a loved one. Grief is always with us and the support from Help Texts makes the journey just a little bit easier to bear. My friend whose beloved mother died unexpectedly was worried the texts would be intrusive, but instead she said the texts are like a light feather that taps her on the shoulder and tells her it's OK.

Maureen Kures, End of Life Planning Consultant

I've been using Help Texts for a few months, and the text messages that come through couldn't be more thoughtful, hopeful and encouraging. I've also added a few people to my subscription, who wanted to support me after the loss of my Dad, and they tell me the messages they've received have given them practical suggestions about ways to reach out to me.

Fran Solomon, Founder & CEO, HealGrief.org

Help Texts is a positive, disruptive innovation for the hospice community. Their grief support is a beautiful way for technology and human centered work to come together and have transformative outcomes for bereaved hospice families.

John Mastrojohn III, President & CEO, Center for Hospice Care

Clinically sounds, tailored support, all year long

Explore examples of real messages we've sent

Hi, James. Those plans you and Maria made for your future together - the trips not taken or the milestones not shared - it's natural to grieve these deeply. Some people find comfort in acknowledging these losses by writing them down, perhaps in a letter to Maria expressing what you’d hoped to experience together and perhaps what you can still do in her honor.
Hi, Lori Ann. Grieving after a suicide is often intense and emotions like sadness, anger, shame, and guilt can feel more complex. In fact, some people say that grief from a suicide is "grief with the volume turned up." When your grief over son starts to feel too loud, try to pause what you're doing, take a few deep breaths, and see if you can change what you're doing or switch to a more relaxing activity for 10 minutes, until the grief volume feels manageable again.
Hi, Matt. When you lose someone suddenly or in traumatic circumstances, your brain can get stuck between past and present. Consider this grounding exercise: when intrusive memories surface, name the differences between then and now. "Then I was at the hospital, now I'm in my living room. Then I was alone, now my dog is with me." This can help your nervous system recognize you're safe in the present moment.
Hi, Naomi. Attachment develops as soon as we start to imagine a future with our child, and deepens as we feel their movements, plan for their arrival, and create a mental image of our family's future. Loss may feel as though it has also ended your attachment, but death ends a life, not a relationship. Your love for Erika can remain with you forever.
Hi, Isabella. The endless appointments, difficult decisions, and uncertainty that came with your grandfather's dementia were probably exhausting. You might now feel both relief that your grandfather's suffering has ended and guilt for feeling that relief - this is normal. If feelings of guilt arise, try placing a hand on your chest, taking a deep breath, and reminding yourself: "I was the caregiver that my grandfather needed. I carried burdens no one should have to carry."
Hi, Deepti. Questions about the circumstances of your nephew's death can feel invasive. The next time someone asks you for information, you can let them know you're not ready to share those details right now but you are open to telling them how you're doing. Shifting the focus from what happened to your well-being could help you both connect.