Our work is research-based, experientially-validated, community rooted, practically helpful. We review the current research on grief and what people find helpful. We survey groups to learn what they know and what they need. We create simple resources that can prepare you ahead of time and support you in the moment.
stuff
Grief and the church
A mixed methods research project to understand how churches can be helpful to grieving people.
Grief Resources
A curated collection of resources for help now.
Grief research projects
The projects we’re working on.
Dr. Jon Swanson helps people and organizations find sense at urgent and important times. Whether sitting at deathbeds with families or sitting over coffee with people needing counsel, Jon’s experience allows him to find the words and silence that help meaning come to the surface.
Jon has been a communication prof, college administrator, associate pastor, and hospital chaplain. He’s now working as research consultant and writer.
He and Nancy have been married since 1983 and have two adult children and a daughter in heaven. Jon and Nancy walk two miles most days.
Jon writes online at 300wordsaday.com, where he writes in simple language about following Jesus and at findingwordsinhardtime.com, where he writes about being helpful in grief.
Here’s how our work has been helpful.
★★★★★
Swanson’s table of contents reads like the cliff notes version of grief at its best. The title of each chapter offers either a (helpful) phrase to be said or a journal question to be reflected on. His book is both accessible to those walking into grief and teaching to those who will help them walk through it. It is tangible and broken into bite-sized pieces.
★★★★★
“Finding Words in Hard Times” is a weekly newsletter with stories and tools to help you be more comfortable as you help others in hard times.
★★★★★
This space will be filled in soon
with some attribution
Grief Research Group 