BFO Ottawa – Weekly Programs & Support

Join our facilitators and others for a gentle walk. This mixed loss support group is for anyone grieving the death of a significant person. Walking together offers a chance to connect, share if you wish, and spend time with others who understand the experience of loss in a supportive and compassionate space.

Downtown Walk

• Date: Wednesday, October 28, 2026
• Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm (Arrive at 11:50 am)
• Location: Lobby of the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave.

Click Here to Register

Our Support & Share Afternoons provide a welcoming and compassionate space for adults who are grieving the death of a significant person. Led by BFO-trained peer facilitators who have experienced a significant loss themselves, these gatherings offer an opportunity to connect with others who understand the challenges of grief.

Participants are invited to share their experiences, listen to others, or simply be present—there is never any pressure to speak. Whether your loss is recent or occurred years ago, Support & Share Afternoons offer understanding, hope, and a sense of community as you navigate your grief journey.

Registration is required and donations are welcome.

Virtual Support Group

• Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
• Time: 12:00pm to 1:30pm
• Location: Zoom login details are sent when registered

Click Here to Register

Are you interested in upcoming Support & Share Afternoons? Click Here

Suggested Donation to BFO Ottawa - $20

BFO Ottawa is bringing you another season of our Knit Your Grief program!

Knit Your Grief is an in-person peer support group where participants bring a hands-on creative project of their choosing, such as knitting, stitching, colouring, or another portable creative activity. While working on their projects, participants can connect with others who are grieving, with support from two trained BFO facilitators.

This Season of Knit Your Grief includes eight programs, available from Saturday, October 24th, 2026 to Wednesday, January 27, 2027.

• Saturday sessions are offered from 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Wednesday sessions are offered from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Knit Your Grief

• Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026
• Time: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Location: Bronson Centre (211 Bronson Ave, room 303)

Click Here to Register

For more information, upcoming dates, and registration links - Click Here

Suggested Donation to BFO Ottawa - $20

BFO Ottawa is proud to introduce our brand new program, Grief Without a Box.

Grief Without a Box is a virtual peer support group that offers a welcoming, non-judgmental space for adults experiencing grief that may feel unseen, misunderstood, unsupported, or difficult to talk about. Through sharing and listening, participants can connect with others who understand that grief doesn't always fit into a box.

Grief Without a Box is offered on the last Friday of each month, from 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.

Grief Without a Box

• Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
• Time: 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
• Location: Virtual via Zoom

Click Here to Register

Suggested Donation to BFO Ottawa - $20

Thank You to Our Fall Closed Group Participants!

As our fall closed group season comes to an end, we would like to extend our appreciation to everyone who applied for or participated in our programs.

To those we were unable to offer a space this season, thank you for your interest, patience, and understanding. We recognize the importance of these opportunities for connection and support, and we hope you will consider applying again in the spring.

To our fall participants, thank you for the trust, openness, and compassion you brought to each group. We are grateful to have shared these meaningful spaces with you.

Looking ahead, we are excited to offer another season of closed groups this spring! While dates and program offerings are still being finalized, we encourage those interested to complete the forms below.

The 34th annual Candlelight Remembrance Event is an afternoon for people to be supported by a circle of community

to honour their grief and commemorate the people in their lives who have died.

Date: Sunday, November 29, 2026

Time: 3:00-4:30 pm (doors open at 2:15)

Location: Beechwood National Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave.

Click Here for Tickets: Candlelight Remembrance Event

Join us as we spend meaningful time together to cherish, remember and celebrate our significant person through ceremony, hope and inspiration.

The afternoon includes:

• Guest speaker - Marion Rattray
• Slideshow photo tribute of your person
• Music
• Candlelight remembrance ceremony
• Personalize a memory ornament to take home
• Reception and light refreshments to follow

This meaningful event raises funds for BFO Ottawa. 100% of your registration goes towards our unfunded grief support programs.

There is an opportunity for you to donate to assist those who cannot pay for registration (no one is turned away).

Registration is $45/adult. $15/children under 12 years

Registration deadline is Friday, Nov 27th at 4pm.

***Please note: we are unable to accommodate photo tributes for offline tickets purchased after the deadline or at the door***

Don't Miss Our Next Support & Share Night!

Join us virtually on Tuesday, November 3rd for our Monthly Support & Share Night.

BFO is pleased to welcome back Ian Henderson as our guest speaker. Ian, a Certified Grief Educator and author, has become a familiar presence at BFO, offering thoughtful discussions that many participants have found deeply impactful.

In his presentation, Surviving the Holidays, Ian will explore difficult emotions, navigating challenges, and offer tips and techniques to help make navigating this season a little more manageable.

Mark your calendar now—we'd love to have you join us. Click Here to Register

Suggested Donation to BFO Ottawa - $20

DONATE TODAY:

 Charitable registration number 853432730RR0001