Upcoming Support Groups and Events
We offer ongoing support groups for a variety of loss circumstances, all of which meet monthly. Currently all of our support groups meet virtually using the Zoom platform. Click through the calendar to see upcoming meetings and events for our community.
We know support groups are not for everyone. Visit our Individual Support page to learn about other ways we may be able to support you.
Not local to Massachusetts? Our TFMR Support groups, our LGBTQ+ Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups and our BIPOC Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Groups are the only support groups that include nation-wide participants. Our focus is on building actual, lived community in Western Mass, so we try to keep our groups Massachusetts-populated. We encourage you to visit the National Share Organization to look for your own local community-based support, or find an organization that is intended to be for a national audience.
Trying for Another Baby Support Group
When you are thinking about having another baby, the emotions can be complicated and may change from day to day. This support group offers a safe space to explore the idea of next steps. It is intended for people who are thinking about becoming pregnant or who are considering a surrogacy or adoption process. This group is open to residents of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
This group meets on the third Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
LGBTQ+ Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
This group is for people who identify under the umbrella as queer (LGBTQ+) and have also experienced pregnancy and/or infant loss.
This group usually meets on the *third Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
*Note the recurring date change this month
BIPOC Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
Our BIPOC group is open to non-white families nationwide who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. The express intent of this group is to provide a safe and affirming space for people of color to share their unique loss experiences.
This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Support Group for Dads
This is a space for male-identifying, non-gestational parents who have lost babies to explore their experience of grief in this culture.
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Wednesday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Expecting your Next Baby Support Group
This group addresses the ways in which grief affects a family’s journey towards another baby. This group is open to people who are currently pregnant, people who are currently pregnant through surrogacy, or in an active adoption process.
*This group is intended for those who have participated in or are currently attending at least one of our support groups to process their loss. As this group focuses on next steps, there is less space to process loss in this group.
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Parenting After Loss Support Group; for those with living children at the time of loss
In this group we discuss the full gambit of raising children while also grieving the baby we cannot hold in our arms.
This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Loss Support Group
This group is open to people who have experienced later pregnancy loss after 20 weeks gestation through early infancy.
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Fall Mini Photoshoot (session 1)
Empty Arms & Jeffrey Rivkin Photography are offering Fall themed mini photoshoots!
Mini shoots are 15 minutes, and can include adults, children, and pets. You receive a generous folder of digital photo files, perfect for holiday cards.
When: Sessions available Friday, September 26th and Saturday, October 18th
Where: 85 Easthampton Road, Westhampton, MA 01027
Cost: $100 (50% of the proceeds benefit Empty Arms)
Slots fill up FAST every year, so secure your spot today!: calendly.com/veronica-emptyarmsbereavement/fall-photo-mini-shoots-clone?month=2025-09
Fall Fest at Mike's Maze
Join Empty Arms for our Annual Fall Fest for games, fun, treats, and community! This event is free for all members of the Empty Arms community. Look for the Empty Arms tent!
Where: Mike's Maze, 23 S Main St, Sunderland, MA 01375
When: Sunday, September 28th from 12-3 PM. Lunch provided at the Empty Arms tent from 12-1!
Free, RSVP required: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFsd4zbnxTCN2MYs0rwPgKe62ZRh-UNEWOavI8r_WzEhZlXQ/viewform
Accompanying Parents when a Baby Dies (Morning Session)
Carol McMurrich, EdM, leads participants in an exploration of successful, compassionate bereavement care.
Participants in this course will:
Learn best caregiving practices for when a baby dies and why these practices can be important to each individual family.
Explore how to present options to parents which empower them to become active participants in their own loss experience, rather than victims of circumstance.
Practice ways to assess and acknowledge a family’s social and cultural background and how they can use this information to help to make meaning with the family at the time of loss.
Learn from those who have experienced this type of loss themselves via the speakers in the parent panel.
Gather skills for debrief and self-care so that they can learn from, and not be negatively affected by, caring for the bereaved.
This is the first of two identical sessions on 9/30, the other occurring from 4:30 - 9 PM.
COST: $80
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by American Nurses Association Massachusetts, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Nurses who attend and participate in the entire course will be awarded 4 contact hours.
This program has been approved for 3.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D 92593.
Accompanying Parents when a Baby Dies (Evening Session)
Carol McMurrich, EdM, leads participants in an exploration of successful, compassionate bereavement care.
Participants in this course will:
Learn best caregiving practices for when a baby dies and why these practices can be important to each individual family.
Explore how to present options to parents which empower them to become active participants in their own loss experience, rather than victims of circumstance.
Practice ways to assess and acknowledge a family’s social and cultural background and how they can use this information to help to make meaning with the family at the time of loss.
Learn from those who have experienced this type of loss themselves via the speakers in the parent panel.
Gather skills for debrief and self-care so that they can learn from, and not be negatively affected by, caring for the bereaved.
This is the second of two identical sessions on 9/30, the other occurring from 10 AM - 2:30 PM.
COST: $80
This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by American Nurses Association Massachusetts, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation. Nurses who attend and participate in the entire course will be awarded 4 contact hours.
This program has been approved for 3.5 Social Work Continuing Education hours for relicensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approving Program, Authorization Number D 92593.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Tuesday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Fall Mini Photoshoot (session 2)
Empty Arms & Jeffrey Rivkin Photography are offering Fall themed mini photoshoots!
Mini shoots are 15 minutes, and can include adults, children, and pets. You receive a generous folder of digital photo files, perfect for holiday cards.
When: Sessions available Friday, September 26th and Saturday, October 18th
Where: 85 Easthampton Road, Westhampton, MA 01027
Cost: $100 (50% of the proceeds benefit Empty Arms)
Slots fill up FAST every year, so secure your spot today!: calendly.com/veronica-emptyarmsbereavement/fall-photo-mini-shoots-clone?month=2025-09
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Thursday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the other occurring on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Miscarriage & Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group
This group is open to anyone who has experienced early pregnancy loss including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or termination for medical reasons early in pregnancy.
This group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Parenting After Loss Support Group; for those with a new baby born after loss
This group is for navigating the complexities of welcoming a new baby while grieving the child who is no longer here.
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Infertility & Loss Support Group
This group is for people who have struggled with the double challenge of infertility and loss. If you have suffered any kind of pregnancy or infant loss following an infertility journey, this group is designed with you in mind.
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Infant and Toddler Loss Support Group
This group caters to people who had extended time with their babies before death. Whether your baby had medical complexities, or died unexpectedly at an older age, you are welcome in this group to process the pain of loss along with the social challenges that accompany the loss. This group is open to residents of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
This group meets on the second Monday of each month from 7-8:30 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Worst Club Best People Gathering
Join us for an in-person community event at Oakholm Brewing!
We welcome all EABS community members as well as family and friends.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Loss Support Group
This group is open to people who have experienced later pregnancy loss after 20 weeks gestation through early infancy.
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Tuesday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Parenting After Loss Support Group; for those with living children at the time of loss
In this group we discuss the full gambit of raising children while also grieving the baby we cannot hold in our arms.
This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Expecting your Next Baby Support Group
This group addresses the ways in which grief affects a family’s journey towards another baby. This group is open to people who are currently pregnant, people who are currently pregnant through surrogacy, or in an active adoption process.
*This group is intended for those who have participated in or are currently attending at least one of our support groups to process their loss. As this group focuses on next steps, there is less space to process loss in this group.
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Wednesday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Support Group for Dads
This is a space for male-identifying, non-gestational parents who have lost babies to explore their experience of grief in this culture.
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
BIPOC Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
Our BIPOC group is open to non-white families nationwide who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. The express intent of this group is to provide a safe and affirming space for people of color to share their unique loss experiences.
This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Trying for Another Baby Support Group
When you are thinking about having another baby, the emotions can be complicated and may change from day to day. This support group offers a safe space to explore the idea of next steps. It is intended for people who are thinking about becoming pregnant or who are considering a surrogacy or adoption process. This group is open to residents of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
This group meets on the third Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Miscarriage & Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group
This group is open to anyone who has experienced early pregnancy loss including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or termination for medical reasons early in pregnancy.
This group meets on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
In Person Support Group
This support group is open to Empty Arms parents (no grandparents/friends/siblings). This in-person support group is a baby and child-free space, created with care to honor the grief journeys of all who join us.
Registration required: you can find the link to register in your monthly newsletter.
Parenting After Loss Support Group; for those with a new baby born after loss
This group is for navigating the complexities of welcoming a new baby while grieving the child who is no longer here.
This group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Infertility & Loss Support Group
This group is for people who have struggled with the double challenge of infertility and loss. If you have suffered any kind of pregnancy or infant loss following an infertility journey, this group is designed with you in mind.
This group meets on the second Tuesday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Thursday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the other occurring on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Twin Loss; Parenting a Surviving Twin Support Group
This group is open to anyone who has experienced a loss with multiples while parenting their survivor(s). This group addresses the unique experience of holding ecstatic joy and crushing grief simultaneously.
This group meets bimonthly on the second Monday of the month from 7:30-9 PM EST. In the remainder of 2025, this group will meet in August, October, and December. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Infant and Toddler Loss Support Group
This group caters to people who had extended time with their babies before death. Whether your baby had medical complexities, or died unexpectedly at an older age, you are welcome in this group to process the pain of loss along with the social challenges that accompany the loss. This group is open to residents of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
This group meets on the second Monday of each month from 7-8:30 PM EST. Note the date change from prior months. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
LGBTQ+ Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
This group is for people who identify under the umbrella as queer (LGBTQ+) and have also experienced pregnancy and/or infant loss.
This group usually meets on the second Friday of each month from 12:00-1:30 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Tuesday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Parenting After Loss Support Group; for those with children at the time of loss
In this group we discuss the full gambit of raising children while also grieving the baby we cannot hold in our arms.
This group meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Loss Support Group
This group is open to people who have experienced later pregnancy loss after 20 weeks gestation through early infancy.
This group meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Trying for Another Baby Support Group
When you are thinking about having another baby, the emotions can be complicated and may change from day to day. This support group offers a safe space to explore the idea of next steps. It is intended for people who are thinking about becoming pregnant or who are considering a surrogacy or adoption process. This group is open to residents of Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont.
This group meets on the third Monday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Expecting your Next Baby Support Group
This group addresses the ways in which grief affects a family’s journey towards another baby. This group is open to people who are currently pregnant, people who are currently pregnant through surrogacy, or in an active adoption process.
*This group is intended for those who have participated in or are currently attending at least one of our support groups to process their loss. As this group focuses on next steps, there is less space to process loss in this group.
This group meets on the third Thursday of each month from 7:30-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
Termination for Medical Reasons Support Group (Wednesday)
Our TFMR groups are open to all who have experienced the agonizing decision to end a pregnancy because of a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis, regardless of gestation. If you’re reading this, you know that this type of loss is particularly complicated. In addition to grief for the baby, many people struggle with additional guilt, fear of judgment, and trauma. Our facilitators create a space that is ultra safe, ultra accepting, and ultra compassionate. You and your story and your baby belong here.
This group meets the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
We offer 3 drop-in groups per month for you to choose from, the others occurring on the second Thursday of each month from 7-9 PM EST and the last Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST.
Support Group for Dads
This is a space for male-identifying, non-gestational parents who have lost babies to explore their experience of grief in this culture.
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.
BIPOC Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Group
Our BIPOC group is open to non-white families nationwide who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. The express intent of this group is to provide a safe and affirming space for people of color to share their unique loss experiences.
This group meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7-9 PM EST. If you’re interested in joining this support group, please fill out our contact form.