What is Griefmates?
Griefmates is a free peer-connection project that gently matches people who are grieving with someone who understands. It's not therapy or a support group, just one person connecting with another who gets it.

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Who is this for?
Anyone (over the age of 18) who’s grieving the loss of someone close and wants to talk to someone who’s experienced something similar. You don’t have to be “ready” or have the right words, just open to connection.

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Right now, we’re focused on people in or near San Francisco, but the hope is to expand.

 

How does it work?
You fill out a short form about your experience and what kind of connection you're hoping for. We read every response with care and thoughtfully match you with someone we think you’ll connect with.

We make an introduction over email, and you decide if and how you want to meet- in person of virtually. That’s it. No pressure. No expectations.

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What kind of grief do you match?
All and all. Losing a sibling, partner, parent, child, close friend, unborn baby, pet, or even a career. Everyone’s story is different, and we try to honor that in how we pair people. If you’re not sure whether this is the right place for your kind of grief, reach out. We’ll listen.

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Who makes the matches?
Real humans. Every submission is read to make thoughtful, compassionate matches based on lived experience and preferences.

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How long does it take to get matched?
It depends on who else is in the pool and how specific your match request is. I hope it's not too long, but this project is just getting started, so who knows! We'll keep you posted along the way.

 

Is this therapy?
Nope. This isn’t clinical support. It’s peer connection- two people who’ve both experienced loss, holding space for each other. If you’re in crisis or need professional help, please see our resources page.

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What if the match doesn’t feel right?
Totally okay. Let us know, and we’ll do our best to rematch you when someone else becomes available. There’s no pressure to stay in touch with someone if it doesn’t feel supportive.

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How do you help keep participants safe?

Participants’ safety is our top priority. We encourage you to trust your instincts- if something doesn’t feel right, it's perfectly okay to stop or walk away. Never share sensitive personal details (like your bank info, Social Security number, or date of birth), and definitely do not send money to anyone you only know through Griefmates. Only meet for the first time in public spaces. Scammers can be very persuasive and exploit emotional vulnerability and there’s no shame in staying cautious. 

 

If you ever encounter behavior that feels off or suspicious, please reach out to griefmates@gmail.com and if necessary, contact local authorities.

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Where do we meet?
That’s up to you. Some people prefer a walk, a coffee shop, or town square. Others feel more comfortable chatting over Zoom or phone. If you choose to meet in person, we recommend meeting in a public place for the first connection.

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Will you follow up after the match?
We may check in to see how it went and if you have any feedback, but only if you give us permission. 

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Is this private?
Yes. Everything you share in your form stays confidential and is only used for the purpose of making a thoughtful match. We don’t share your info with anyone else.

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Is it free?

Yes. You will never pay anything to be a part of this.​