Start A Chapter

Starting a support group to help other hurting bereaved families accomplishes many essential goals. As you begin and run a Bereaved Parents of the USA Chapter, your work will:

Honor your child, grandchild, or sibling.
Provide caring support to other local bereaved families.
Help you cope with your own grief journey.

We are glad to walk you through the steps to start a Bereaved Parents of the USA chapter in your community. Please answer the following questions and click the “Submit” button to send your responses. We will then contact you regarding the process, paperwork, and further details. You can also contact Debby Hunsaker, our Chapter Development director, at the e-mail and phone number at the bottom of the screen.

Chapter Application Form

First Name *

Last Name*

Phone *

Email*

Please indicate which is the best way to reach you.

Identify your status by selecting from the following. Check all that apply.*

Date of Child's Death *

We strongly recommend that new chapter leaders begin their work 18 to 24 months after the death of their child, grandchild, or sibling.

Child's Name (Optional)

Child's Age at Time of Death (Optional)

Starting a Bereaved Parents of the USA Chapter is not hard, and there is no charge to start a chapter. However, you need the desire and motivation to help others. Do you feel, at this time, that you can commit to leading a chapter and that you are prepared to support others on their grief journey?

BPUSA meetings can be as formal or as informal as you like. Many chapters start with a small circle of bereaved parents, adult siblings and/or grandparents coming together to share feelings and give support and encouragement to one another. Most BPUSA chapters meet monthly. You would need to find a suitable place to hold your meetings. Most chapter leaders look for a local meeting location in their town or one close by, at an available space such as a library, school, community building, house of worship, or private home.

Provide the city and state where you plan to establish your new chapter*

City*

State*

At this time, do you have a potential specific meeting space?

BPUSA chapters require that there be four charter members who commit to attending chapter meetings and supporting chapter activities. Your other charter members could be from families other than your own, or they can include your own spouse or partner, surviving adult children, or other family members. Do you know three other people who may be willing to act as charter members with you?

If you do not have other possible charter members at this time, there are several ways to network in your community to find others who may be interested. You can post on local social media pages, spread the word through your school or religious community, or even speak to funeral homes and hospitals to inform them of your plans to start a support group in your area.

Other questions at this time? Please indicate them here:

Thank you for your interest. Click SUBMIT below to send us your information. We will be in touch soon and we look forward to communicating with you.

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Or by US mail at:

Debby Hunsaker
29 Neal Cove
Bryant, AR 72022
501-681-1464

BP/USA receives a % of all Amazon.com purchases made through the above link.

Find A Chapter

Contact Us:

Bereaved Parents of the USA
National Office
c/o Katherine Corrigan
5 Vanek Road,
Poughkeepsie NY 12603-5403