Loss of a Family Member

After Loss of a sibling

Do you feel your loss is overlooked? Find inspiration in stories by others who have lost siblings.

Articles

  • The Healing Power of a Grief Letter

    Posted on August 4, 2026 - by sharithompson

    Dear Family, There were so many things we didn’t get to do, and our time together was cut short. Physical and mental ailments prevented us from living out all the plans we made, but we still made the most of our time together. Y’all beat the odds and lived longer than anyone expected for people in your condition. God didn’t answer my prayers to take away the sicknesses, but He granted me favor through temporary healings and the blessing of extended time. You slowly slipped away. Year by year, month by month, and day by day, until I was somehow […]

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  • Dreamtime

    Posted on July 21, 2026 - by gyanirichards

    As I drifted off to sleep last night, my heart hummed with a familiar warmth and, in its secret way, sent out a quiet invitation to those nocturnal angels who watch over us at night. I found myself in one of those quasi-dream states in which most of me was dreaming, but there was a sliver of awareness that could witness what unfolds.  I was standing alone in the gauzy grey of twilight, underneath a large exterior deck of a familiar ski lodge from my childhood. I don’t know what I was doing there but the mood was expectant, preparatory. […]

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  • Forgiveness

    Posted on June 30, 2026 - by Judy Lipson

      I reread the rabbi’s eulogy from my beloved sister Jane’s funeral. He said,  “There is no satisfactory answer to understanding why bad things happen to good people. Not all questions have answers. Unanswered “whys” are part of life. The way to face tragedy is with love. Use the love we had for Jane to forgive ourselves.” Focusing on his words helped me knock down roadblocks to forgive myself.” Forgiveness for me was not a quick fix, magic bullet, instant gratification, but a long, arduous triathlon. I needed to program my heart and mind in sync to forgive myself and […]

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  • The Quiet Work of Healing After Loss

    Posted on June 2, 2026 - by Ilana Estelle

    Grief Changes You – Awareness Helps You to Rebuild Loss changes you. It’s natural to feel lonely and unsure when someone important is no longer there. When depression that follows loss is part of the picture, everything can feel heavier and harder to move through. For a long time, that weight can feel constant – like you’re moving through fog. Separation can also create a space you don’t recognize, but it can also help you see yourself without old patterns or expectations. That distance can feel uncomfortable at first, but it is often where something begins to shift. You start […]

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  • Sibling Loss: Why Surviving Brothers and Sisters Are the Forgotten Grievers

    Posted on May 14, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Surviving siblings are sometimes called the forgotten grievers. Brothers and sisters lose their oldest witness, their playmate, the keeper of their childhood — and the world too often expects them to be the strong one. Here’s why sibling loss is uniquely complicated, and 7 ways to honor your grief.

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  • Mother’s Day After Loss: 9 Compassionate Ways to Cope with Grief on a Tender Holiday

    Posted on May 10, 2026 - by Heidi Horsley

    Mother’s Day after loss can feel like an emotional minefield. Whether you’re grieving your mother, a child, a sibling, or anyone you love, here are 9 compassionate, therapist-tested ways to cope with grief on Mother’s Day, honor your person, and find a quiet thread of hope on a tender holiday.

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  • The Things You Loved Most

    Posted on April 28, 2026 - by Beth Marshall

     Have you ever lost someone close, and in the brain fog of grief, wondered if you might forget some of the things you loved most about them? Their infectious belly laugh, extravagant generosity, or maybe their unconditional love for people? I get it.   Since losing several of my closest and favorite family members- my beloved Mom, Dad, Nana, sister-in-love, Kay, and most recently, my “splendiferous” (his word) brother Mike, I’ve been trying to dig deep and remember exactly what it was that made each of their lives so memorable and magnificent.                           What if you could be the […]

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  • Grief Doesn’t End: My Brother’s Birthday and the Pain of Secondary Loss

    Posted on March 26, 2026 - by Natashia Pillow

    Monday is my brother’s birthday, and he has been gone for almost four years. I have been more emotional for weeks, and I didn’t even realize it; it hit me like a brick wall the other day. Grief is crazy like that; how it can just come in and take over like a bad storm, and you don’t even realize it. Today I got a text from his wife, in a group chat with my other brother and his wife. Asking  “Is the plan still on for Monday?” I was personally unaware of any plans for Monday. So, I had […]

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  • Skating for My Beloved Sisters

    Posted on February 26, 2026 - by Judy Lipson

    Skating is a sport I shared with my beloved sisters. When we were young girls, we proudly carried our skates in plaid bags and raced to be the first ones on the ice. Margie, my older sister, the most talented, Jane, the youngest, was athletic, and I, the middle sister, a bit of a klutz. Little did I know that skating would become the chord that would bind me, honor, and remember, and forever find peace and joy with my sisters.   Throughout my life, somehow the ice called me, a pull I never quite understood, my happy place, where […]

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  • Memories and Messages. Merry Christmas from the Other Side

    Posted on January 3, 2026 - by Veronica Crawford

    Christmas had always been a special time for me. The anticipation of Christmas day – decorating the tree and house, buying presents, beautiful food and spending time with family. But over time, Christmas has lost its sparkle. While I still appreciate the day with people I love – it no longer holds the same energy as years before. The excitement has been replaced more with a time for reflection and a longing for times gone by. Grief has woven her darkness through the tapestry of life with my brother Carl’s passing after a car accident, precious pets transitioning, and long-term […]

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  • The Silence After Goodbye: My Brother’s Suicide and the Gifts He Left Behind

    Posted on November 21, 2025 - by authordanak

    Drastically, his mental state had deteriorated.  Now I see it clearly: my brother was incredibly strong for holding on as long as he did. He carried the weight for over a decade, ever since I left him behind when I immigrated to Canada.  Conditioned to live by abandoning his own needs and silencing his own dreams, he poured all his energy into everyone else.  Facing my own suicidal thoughts became the heaviest burden of all. Only later did I learn from Dr. Alan Wolfelt’s The Wilderness of Suicide Grief: Survivors of suicide loss are at high risk themselves. It’s not just […]

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  • Echoes of Earlier Losses

    Posted on May 8, 2025 - by Judy Lipson

    Echoes of Earlier Losses Unfortunately, many of us have experienced compound grief from multiple losses – either more than one sibling, a child/sibling, sibling/parent, sibling/grandchild, or partner/child. The death of my father three decades after losing my beloved sisters Margie and Jane, triggered feelings I kept dormant. When Margie and Jane died, I didn’t know what grief was. Siblings are the forgotten mourners and take on the role of caretakers. I fast tracked life, ignoring my own grief. I don’t recall Margie and Jane’s funerals. With my father, the experience was totally different. I was present for his last breath, […]

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  • Caring for Surviving Siblings

    Posted on May 2, 2025 - by Judy Lipson

    Caring for Surviving Siblings  A decade ago, I was fortunate to meet Heidi Horsley, a fellow surviving sibling and philanthropist. We bonded immediately. After years of being alone in my grief, I was grateful to connect with individuals who understand, are compassionate, speak the same language, and are members of the same club. Thanks to Heidi, who is executive director of Open to Hope, this year marks a decade of me contributing articles for this website. Writing became a vital tool in my grief journey. The process began with journaling, progressed to articles, and ultimately a memoir. I never dreamed […]

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  • How Many Siblings Do You Have?

    Posted on April 28, 2025 - by Judy Lipson

    How Many Siblings Do You Have? “How many siblings do you have?” It is a dreaded question asked of many a surviving sibling. When I’m asked, my heart thumps out of my chest. I sense the heat rising on my face and struggle to breathe. How do I answer? For me, the answer has changed over time. When asked, decades after I lost my sisters, I still experience the tremor in my body. Regardless of how ready I believe myself to be, the experience leaves me reeling when asked. After my younger sister Jane died in 1981, was I now […]

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    Honoring Sibling Loss

    Posted on March 24, 2025 - by Gloria Horsley

    Honoring Sibling Loss The discussion centers on the deep pain and continuing impact of losing a sibling. The conversation gathers heartfelt stories, personal reflections, and practical advice from those who have experienced such a loss. The dialogue touches on the challenges of grief, how sibling loss shapes personal identity, and ways to remember those who have passed. The speakers share how these losses have altered the course of their lives and offer inspiration for others dealing with similar emotions. Sharing Personal Journeys Several individuals recount their experiences with sibling loss. Among the speakers is a host who is a doctor, […]

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  • To Lose a Twin

    Posted on March 4, 2025 - by Linda Pountney

    To Lose a Twin I was taken captive by life and death at the age of twenty-one. My identical twin sister Paula and I faced life together for twenty-one years. We never imagined life without the other. As twins, we had an unspoken pact to care for one another. When she died suddenly in a small plane crash, I questioned who I was in the world without her. Could I even function in life without my twin? Our losses are as unique and personal as our love. All bereavement experiences are different. For me, grieving for my sister came many […]

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Open to Hope TV

  • Episode: 269 The Role that Faith Plays in Grief

    Posted on July 20, 2026 - by admin

    Does faith play a role in grief, and if so, what role does it play?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, and her guests, Nate McClendon, and Lori and Raul Morales as they discuss faith after a loss.  Nate McClendon is a keynote speaker for The Compassionate Friends, music educator, and musician.  He is the author of, The Emerging You, which was born from the loss of his 18 yr. old daughter Naomi, who died from an accidental fall from a 10-story building. Lori Morales has a Grief Counselors Certification, and presents workshops at The Compassionate Friends National Conferences. Her son […]

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  • Episode 268: The Do’s and Don’ts of Supporting Grieving People

    Posted on July 20, 2026 - by admin

    How do we support grieving people after a death? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, and her guests, Nate McClendon, and Lori and Raul Morales as they discuss the Do’s and Don’ts. Nate McClendon is a keynote speaker for The Compassionate Friends, music educator, and musician. He is the author of, The Emerging You, which was born from the loss of his 18 yr. old daughter Naomi, who died from an accidental fall from a 10-story building. Lori Morales has a Grief Counselors Certification, and presents workshops at The Compassionate Friends National Conferences. Her son Jonathan died at 16 yrs. old […]

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  • Episode 267: When Children Grieve: Expert Guidance for Parents, Caregivers, and Professionals

    Posted on July 19, 2026 - by admin

    How do we understand bereaved children and support them after a loss? Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley, with their guests: Dr. Dan Wolfson, and Jordan Gross and learn techniques for helping children. Dr. Dan Wolfson is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and the Senior Clinical Director of Experience Camps Adult Grief Retreat; he is an Adjunct Researcher and Professional Education Trainer at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief. Dr. Dan’s mother died of cancer when he was 18 yrs. old, and he is the author of; My Whole Grief. Jordon Gross is a […]

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  • Episode 266: Losing a Parent, Finding Yourself: Navigating Identity After Grief

    Posted on July 13, 2026 - by admin

    The death of a parent is an identity loss. Who are we without our mother and/or father on this earth?  Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her daughter and co-host Dr. Heidi Horsley, and their guest to talk candidly about parent loss. Dr. Dan Wolfson is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, and the Senior Clinical Director of Experience Camps Adult Grief Retreat. He is also an Adjunct Researcher and Professional Education Trainer at Columbia University’s Center for Prolonged Grief. Dan’s mother died of cancer when he was 18 yrs. old, and he is the author of; My Whole Grief.  Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn […]

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  • Episode 265: Helping Grieving Teens and Young Adults; Navigate In A Changing World!

    Posted on June 30, 2026 - by admin

    How do we help teens and young adults navigate their changing world after a death?  Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her daughter and co-host Dr. Heidi Horsley, along with their guests Jordon Gross, Dr. Dan Wolfson, and Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn for an informative and honest conversation about this topic.  Jordon Gross is a licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a staff psychotherapist at Wolfson Therapy.  He is a training specialist for the New York Psychotherapy and Counseling Center.  Jordan has extensive experience providing support to Grief Camps such as Camp COPE, and is the author of; My Whole Grief.  Dr. Dan […]

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  • Episode 261: Transforming Sorrow into Strength:  The Role of Art in Healing After Death.

    Posted on December 17, 2025 - by admin

    How do you transform sorrow into strength after a death?  Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her co-host and daughter, Dr. Heidi Horsley along with their guests Sharon Strouse and Dr. Sarah Vollmann to talk about the role of art in healing after a death.  Sharon is a bereaved parent, and licensed clinical professional art therapist.  She is the Associate Director for The Portland Institute, and the author of; Artful Grief: A Diary of Healing.  Sharon is also the co-founder of the Kristin Rita Strouse Foundation.  Sarah is a bereaved sibling, registered board-certified art therapist, and faculty member of The […]

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  • Episode 259: The Loss No One Sees: Grief in a Newborn’s World

    Posted on December 15, 2025 - by admin

    The impact of a death on a newborn’s world is a minimized and unacknowledged loss. Join host Dr. Gloria Horsley, and her daughter and co-host, Dr. Heidi Horsley and their guest Dr. Sarah Vollmann, whose sister died before she was born in a drowning accident. Sarah is a registered board-certified art therapist, licensed clinical social worker, and faculty member of The Portland Institute. She is the Associate Director of The Young Widowhood Project, and the Author of: Born Into Loss: Shadows of a Deceased Sibling.    

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  • Episode 257: Beyond the Shadows: Giving Voice to Sibling Grief

    Posted on December 13, 2025 - by admin

    The death of a sibling can be extremely difficult, yet society often minimizes this loss. Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley, with her guests Kim Burditt Bartlett and Zaneta Gileno to talk about sibling loss. Kim Burditt Bartlett is the Co-Founder of Sibling Strong Retreats. In 2010, Kim’s younger brother, Jon, died by suicide, forever changing her life. Kim serves as Senior Manager of Family Engagement for the Black Box Project at Stop Soldier Suicide, a groundbreaking initiative using digital data to better understand and prevent suicide. She previously worked at the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), where she’s created […]

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  • Episode 256: After the Last Goodbye: Navigating Life After Losing a Parent

    Posted on December 12, 2025 - by admin

    What does grief look like when the person who raised you is gone? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests Zaneta Gileno and Kim Burditt Bartlett as they talk about grieving the death of a parent. When Zaneta Gileno was just 10 yrs. old her Dad died of a heart attack, and in 2023, her Mom died of lung issues. Zaneta has a private practice called Hope Rising Psychotherapy & Wellness. She is an adjunct professor at Columbia University, and currently serves as Senior Mental Health Advisor and Board Member for Repatriate Our Patriots. In addition, she previously worked […]

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  • Episode 252: Transforming Loss Through Purpose and Meaning

    Posted on October 5, 2025 - by admin

    How do we transform our loss through purpose and meaning?  Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley with their guests Dana Lerner, Georgia Lavey, and Casey Mulligan Walsh to discuss finding purpose and meaning after a loss. Dana Lerner is a psychotherapist in NYC, and the founder of Cooper Stocks Way, and co-founder of Families for Safe Streets.  Georgia Lavey is a licensed clinical social worker, and the Clinical Program Director at Our House Grief Support Center in New York City, where she oversees the design and implementation of grief support programs. Casey Mulligan Walsh […]

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  • Episode 251: Grief Support for Pre-Adolescents and Teens

    Posted on October 4, 2025 - by admin

    Loss is difficult at any age, but especially when you are a pre-adolescent or teenager.  Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley along with their guests Georgia Lavey, Casey Mulligan Walsh, and Dana Lerner, as they discuss how to support pre-adolescents and teens after a loss.  Georgia Lavey is a licensed clinical social worker, and the Clinical Program Director at Our House Grief Support Center in New York City, where she oversees the design and implementation of grief support programs.  Casey Mulligan is a the author of the award winning memoir;  The Full Catastrophe: All […]

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  • Episode 250: Grief and the Role of Faith

    Posted on October 3, 2025 - by admin

    When you have suffered a loss, what is the role of faith?  Join Dr. Gloria Horsley and her co-host and daughter Dr. Heidi Horsley and their guests; Casey Mulligan Walsh, Dana Lerner, and Georgia Lavey as they discuss faith and the role it played or didn’t play after their losses.  Casey Mulligan is a the author of the award winning memoir;  The Full Catastrophe: All I Every Wanted, Everything I Feared, and has written for the NY Times, Modern Loss, and Huff Post.  Dana Lerner is a psychotherapist in NYC, and the founder of Cooper Stocks Way, and co-founder of […]

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  • Episode 249: When Your World Breaks Twice; Surviving Parent and Sibling Loss

    Posted on September 20, 2025 - by admin

    How do you find hope again when you have the death of a parent and a sibling? Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests; Dr. Parul Dua Makkar and Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn to discuss when your world breaks twice.  Parul lost her younger brother in his thirties to oral cancer, and later her father. Parul is a practicing dentist, the co-author of Life Interrupted Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide, and Stories of Friends and Family Lost. Elizabeth Devita- Raeburn lost her teenage brother Ted to a rare autoimmune disorder, and her mother many years later.   Elizabeth is a blogger and […]

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  • Episode 248: The Brutal Truth About Supporting Someone After a Death

    Posted on September 5, 2025 - by admin

    How do we best support someone after a death?  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests; Dr. Parul Dua Makkar, Elizabeth Devita-Raeburn, Jordon Ferber, and Keith Singer as they candidly talk what they needed after their losses. Dr. Parul Dua Makkar is a practicing dentist, the co-author of Life Interrupted Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide, and Stories of Friends and Family Lost.  Elizabeth Devita- Raeburn is a journalist and blogger. She is the author of; The Empty Room: Understanding Sibling Loss, and The Death of Cancer.  Jordon Ferber is a Co-Chapter Leader for The Compassionate Friends Manhattan chapter, and hosts […]

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  • Episode 247: The Sibling I Can’t Forget; Tools to Survive a Sibling Loss

    Posted on September 5, 2025 - by admin

    We don’t get over a sibling loss, we learn to live without our sibling.  Join host Dr. Heidi Horsley and her guests; Dr. Parul Dua Makkar, Keith Singer, and Jordon Ferber as we discuss tools to help you survive and eventually thrive after a sibling loss.  Dr. Parul Dua Makkar lost her younger brother to oral cancer.  Parul is a practicing dentist, the co-author of Life Interrupted Dr. Dua’s Survival Guide, and Stories of Friends and Family Lost.  Keith Singer lost his sister Lori in an automobile accident.  Keith facilitates Compassionate Friends meetings in Staten Island New York, and is […]

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  • Episode 243: Writing Your Way Through Grief

    Posted on July 2, 2025 - by admin

    Writing can be a helpful method for dealing with grief. Drs. Gloria and Heidi Horsley, along with writers Susan Casey, Ona Gritz, and Judy Lipson, whose works appear in the anthology The Loss of a Lifetime; Grieving Siblings Share Stories of Love, Loss, and Hope. will join the discussion. Lynn Shattuck, co-editor, will also participate in the show.

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  • Episode 242: Sudden Loss of a Loved One

    Posted on July 2, 2025 - by admin

    If you have unresolved loss, consider joining Dr. Gloria Horsley, Dr. Heidi Horsley, and their guests Ona Gritz and Judy Lipson, who are bereaved siblings and award-winning authors, contributing to the anthology The Loss of a Lifetime; Grieving Siblings Share Stories of Love, Loss and Hope.

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    Episode 241: It Is Never Too Late to Grieve

    Posted on June 30, 2025 - by admin

    Join Dr. Gloria and Heidi Horsley as they discuss experiencing the sudden death of a loved one. Guests Lynn Shattuck, co-editor of The Loss of a Lifetime; Grieving Siblings Share Stories of Love, Loss and Hope, and Susan Casey, licensed Mental Health Clinician and contributor to the book, will share their insights.  

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