Supporting Parents of Bereaved Partners

Parents of bereaved partners face a unique dual challenge. In many cases, the fallen soldier a part of their household, leaving them to carry the heavy grief of their loss while also supporting their son or daughter through a deep personal crisis.
 

Recognizing this need, GFIDF developed programs to equip parents with guidance and practical tools, helping them remain meaningful sources of strength for their grieving children during their most difficult moments.
 

Support for parents begins with a personal supporter, available from the shiva onward, who accompanies them through the earliest days of coping. With the outbreak of the Swords of Iron War, GFIDF also opened a dedicated support and guidance group for parents of bereaved partners. This group meets weekly on Zoom in a rolling, drop-in format - allowing parents to join as needed, without the pressure of ongoing commitment. The group is led by GFIDF’s Chief Psychologist, Dr. Ofri Bar-Nadav, together with Senior Psychologist Michal Bibi.
 

Parents are alsoI offered up eight sessions of family therapy, which may include siblings of the bereaved partner.
 

In November 2024, GFIDF held, for the very first time, a conference for parents of bereaved partners, dedicated to addressing their unique challenges and dilemmas and offering strategies tailored to their needs.