Chapter Meetings
What to expect
The Des Moines area chapter meetings are held at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway the first Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 7pm and generally last about one and a half to two hours.
The Pella area chapter meetings are held at the Garden Chapel Funeral Home the second Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 6:30pm and generally last about one and a half to two hours.
You do not need to contact us in advance - all are welcome to attend. Our national chapter has a great page that highlights what to expect at a Chapter meeting.
It is important to note that our meetings should not be confused with counseling sessions. We provide peer-to-peer support, understanding and resources.
Participants are all bereaved parents (guardians), adult siblings, or grandparents who are dealing with the death of a child, grandchild or sibling. We have been where you are and we continue to return to offer friendship and support through the natural grieving process after our loved one dies.
January 2025
Des Moines - January 7th
Pella - January 14th
Permission to Grieve
Who is the most important person we need for permission to grieve our way?
While we do usually have a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you’d like to discuss if its weighting on your mind and heart.
DECEMBER 3rd 2024
Central Iowa Chapter Annual Candle Lighting Program
TCF Members, family, and friends are welcome to join us for our program that includes music and readings honoring and remembering our loved ones.
Refreshments to follow.
November 5th, 2024
Coping with the Holidays
New and Seasoned Grievers will prepare for the upcoming Holiday Season. What has helped and what has not?
While we do usually have a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you’d like to discuss if its weighting on your mind and heart.
October 1st, 2024
October is Infant & Pregnancy Loss Awareness Month
Guest Speaker Sasha Mudloff, Co-Founder and Grief Consultant, Hamilton’s Academy of Grief and Loss
We will also be doing Bucket of Blooms with our members.
While we do usually have a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you’d like to discuss if its weighting on your mind and heart.
September 3rd, 2024
Annual Butterfly Release Program
Invite Family and Friends to join us as we remember our children, grandchildren and siblings gone too soon.
August 6th, 2024
Meet My Loved One….
You are invited to bring an item(s),
a memory or picture to help you introduce
your loved one to the group. This is a time
to bring the essence of your loved one along….
While we do usually have a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you’d like to discuss if its weighting on your mind and heart.
JULY 2nd 2024
The Mixed Emotions of grief can be
complicated! Let’s sort them out….
While we do usually have a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you’d like to discuss if its weighting on your mind and heart.
JUNE 4th 2024
Men’s Perspective on Grief
We all grieve differently, tonight we will have a panel of men sharing about their grief journey.
While we do usually start with a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you’d like to discuss if its weighting on your mind and heart.
MAY 7th 2024
Honoring Mother’s and Father’s
While we do usually start with a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you'd like to discuss if its weighing on your mind and heart.
April 2nd 2024
Tonight, we will take a look at Fog Brain, Grief Attacks and Tsunami Days. How do you face these??? What helps???
While we do usually start with a topic or discussion point at our meetings, please feel free to bring up any topic or concern that you'd like to discuss if its weighing on your mind and heart.
March 5th 2024
Have you struggled with these questions, your not alone!
OUR MEETINGS ARE RETURNING TO HAMILTONS WESTOWN.
3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines
February 6th
Siblings
As members of a grieving family, many times the siblings are forgotten in their grief. We will hear from some siblings about their grief journey and ideas about how parents can be of help to them.
OUR MEETINGS ARE RETURNING TO HAMILTONS WESTOWN.
3601 Westown Parkway,
West Des Moines
January 2nd 2024
The Myth of Normal Grief
Am I doing my grief right?
Am I moving too fast, too slow?
Is my grief normal?
Misconceptions of Grief…..
MEETING LOCATION CHANGE FOR NOVEMBER and DECEMBER
Due to recent flooding,
Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway will be closed for the month of November and December to replace flooring.
Our December 5th, TCF meeting will be held 7:00pm at Hamilton's Southtown. 5400 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315
December 5th, 2023
Central Iowa Chapter Annual Candle Lighting Program
TCF Members, Friends and Family are Invited to
honor and remember our loved ones.
Coping with the Holidays
New and Seasoned grievers will prepare for the
upcoming Holiday season.
November 7th, 2023
October 3rd, 2023
Bucket of Blooms
Everyone will have a chance to choose a bloom that represents their loved one and share a memory or story. We will also be honoring Infant & Pregnancy Loss Awareness month.
September 5th, 2023
Annual Chapter Butterfly Release Program
and TCF Butterfly Bench Dedication
Join us as we release Butterflies in memory and remembrance of our Children, Grandchildren, and Siblings gone to soon.
Invite freinds and family to attend
August 1st
Understanding Grief—As a Griever, As a Supporter, and As a Friend
Special Guest Speaker, author of
Hugs Help, Randy Stocker
July 11th Topic
THE JULY MONTHLY MEETING WILL BE THE 2ND TUESDAY OF THE MONTH DUE TO THE HOLIDAY ON THE 4TH
Anniversaries Big and Small
How can you prepare??
Is it possible??
What helps you??
June 6th Topic
What’s in your Grief Toolbox?
Guest Speaker, Denise Nahnsen
Let’s here from a Bereavement Counselor about the many different tools you need in your Grief Toolbox.
May 2nd Topic: Mother’s and Father’s
Let’s Honor Them
As bereaved parent’s we need to redefine Mother’s and Father’s Day. Together let’s remember our children, grandchildren and siblings while giving ourselves care and support.
April 4th Topic: Forgiveness 101
Forgiveness 101 can be helpful to all grievers on our path of healing.
Seasoned Grievers: Salt & Pepper in the Same Shaker
How do we all become seasoned grievers on this journey?
Help, I’m newly bereaved, so how do I become seasoned?
