Coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer can be an incredibly liberating step toward living as one's true self. However, for many LGBTQ individuals, the process of coming out is also accompanied by a profound and often unexpected sense of loss. Whether it’s family members who become distant, friends who don't understand, or communities that turn away, the experience of grief can be intense and disorienting. This type of grief—where one feels unable to fully mourn because society doesn't always recognize the loss—is called disenfranchised grief. For LGBTQ people, this grief is often compounded by social stigma, leaving them to process the loss of their former lives largely on their own.

Grieving the loss of a loved one can be an incredibly difficult time, filled with waves of emotions that often catch us off guard. As a close friend or family member, finding the right words to offer support can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re writing a condolences letter to a grieving person or trying to express your own emotions in a personal letter, understanding the importance of your message is key. In this blog, we’ll break down a template for writing a heartfelt grief letter, addressing the impact of the holidays, and discuss how grief can be mistaken for other things.

Additionally, for those struggling with grief, we’ll provide resources like a loss worksheet or grief worksheet and offer insights on the next step in healing. If you’re in Kansas City, Missouri, or the surrounding areas such as Springfield or St. Louis, grief therapy or working with grief therapists can be a powerful aid in the healing process. So, let's walk through how you can write a grief letter that offers hope, healing, and a pathway forward.