A variety of local health and social services can provide assistance and support for individuals who have lost a loved one or who are faced with their own impending death due to a terminal illness.

These services typically educate individuals about grief and how to cope with death as well as ways to help prevent conditions such as major depression and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following the death of a loved one. Health care professionals, such as physicians, nurses, social workers and psychologists may be able to provide coping tips and/or referrals for such resources.

Counseling or mental health centers are another helpful option because in addition to reliable information, they also provide treatment for psychological trauma (e.g., major depression). Churches and synagogues frequently have grief support groups that meet regularly.