Sururyhmiä

Sururyhmiä are bereavement groups designed to support people who have lost someone close. They provide a confidential space for sharing experiences, normalizing reactions to grief, and developing coping strategies. Sururyhmiä are typically led by a trained facilitator or by an experienced layperson; they are usually intended as peer support and are not a substitute for professional psychotherapy, though they can complement individual therapy.

Format and structure commonly include meetings of about 60 to 90 minutes, held weekly or biweekly, with groups of roughly 6 to 12 participants. Groups can be open (new members join at any time) or closed (membership remains fixed for a set period). Confidentiality is emphasized. Facilitators guide discussions, offer information about grief processes, and invite participants to explore memories, emotions, and practical tasks related to bereavement.

Participation is open to adults who have lost a spouse, parent, child, or other significant person. Some groups are specialized by relationship type or age. Access may be through hospitals, palliative care services, municipal social services, churches, or non-profit organizations; referrals can come from healthcare providers or be self-initiated. Increasingly, online formats and accommodations for language or mobility are available.

Benefits and limitations: bereavement groups can reduce loneliness, validate feelings, and provide practical coping strategies and social support. They are typically complementary to professional care; individuals with complex or prolonged grief or high distress may require individual therapy or other specialized treatment.

In Finland, sururyhmiä are offered by public health and social services, hospitals, religious communities, and nonprofit organizations. Local groups can be found through municipal services, healthcare providers, or online directories for bereavement support.