Pastoral Care

Grief Net is a support program for students experiencing death or other loss. Grief Net is also available for staff and faculty.

Whether reeling from the death of a loved one in recent weeks or struggling a year or more after a significant loss, the Grief Net Support Network will provide a safe, non‐judgmental atmosphere for exploration, nurture, and growth. The group experience is not about “getting over it” but rather helping participants integrate loss into life.

Participants are never required to share or participate in any particular group activity but are invited to share when it feels right. While members will be encouraged to leverage any personal religious or spiritual resources to assist with their grief process, we want to make it clear that this support network, although sponsored by the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life (CSRL), neither assumes participants are a part of any faith tradition nor will it advocate for any particular beliefs or practices.

Who can attend?

Grief Net is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students currently enrolled at Vanderbilt University. Grief Net is also available to staff and faculty at no charge. There is no charge to participate.

You may have suffered a recent loss or are still dealing with the effects of a death from long ago. There are no time limits on grief for participation within Grief Net.

Please email gretchen.person@vanderbilt.edu for more information on meeting times or to sign up.

If you need to speak with someone regarding your grief, please contact the Center for Spiritual and Religious Life at 615-322-2457.

CSRL Grief Groups are facilitated by a Certified Grief Support Specialist and Certified Grief Educator.

2025-26 Grief Group Schedule

Fall Semester 2025: Monday 5 PM- 5:50 PM 

• September 15, 22, 29
• October 6, 13, 20, 27
• November 3, 10, 17
• December 1

Spring Semester 2026: Monday 5 PM- 5:50 PM 

• January 5, 12, 26
  February 2, 9, 16, 23
  March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
  April 6, 13

Please email gretchen.person@vanderbilt.edu with questions or to sign up. One-on-one grief appointments are also available at CSRL at times that work for you.