Grief literacy helps us all.

A proposal:

Grief and Support Study in Allen County, Indiana

Principal Investigator: Dr. Jon Swanson, PhD, Arbor Research Group

Project Overview

This multi-method study aims to investigate grief experiences and effective support mechanisms in Allen County, Indiana. The research will provide insights to improve grief support services in the area. The research will also illuminate public health implications of grief in a community.

Humans struggle in the aftermath of death. Bereavement researchers are concerned about the public health cost of grieving. Friends want to know what to say when their buddy’s child dies. Researchers have identified what supportive communities could look like. And have identified broadly who needs what kind of support. And have recommended improving grief literacy.

But the research to date looks at countries. And support happens most often in person.

This proposal reviews those concepts and then recommends the first of three research projects based on those concepts: a community-level bereavement capacity study, and a study of organizational bereavement cultures, and a “what might your friend need from you” study.

Most of us are carrying grief with us in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed to heightened grief levels for many.  All of us who want to be more helpful to grieving people and/or wish others would be more helpful to us.

Primary Research Questions

1. What are the predominant grief experiences [events? Is this leaving us open to talking about other kinds of grief – pet death, job loss?] in Allen County?
2. What support mechanisms are currently available, and how effective are they?
3. How can individuals and employers and organizations better support those experiencing grief?
4. How does the concept of grief literacy give a structure to grief support at a community level?

Methodology

Literature Review

Conduct a comprehensive review of academic literature on grief, public health effects, coping mechanisms, and support strategies.

Analyze existing studies on grief support, particularly in similar demographic areas.

Quantitative Research

Design and distribute a survey to Allen County residents (n=1800+) to gather data on grief experiences and support preferences.

Analyze local health records and mortality data to identify trends in grief-inducing events.

Qualitative Research

Conduct in-depth interviews with public health leaders, grief counselors, therapists, funeral service providers, and religious leaders.

Organize focus groups with individuals who have experienced significant loss (8 groups, 5-8 participants each).

Community Resource Mapping

Identify and catalog existing grief support services in Allen County.

Assess the accessibility and use of these service through available reports and interviews.

Data Analysis and Synthesis

Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical and thematic analysis methods.

Synthesize findings from all research components.

Reporting

Provide white paper reports with recommendations to research partners

Write a series of profiles of organizations, support strategies, and individuals.

Provide a white paper on the project.

Create a publicly accessible resource tool

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Actions

During 2025. Jon and a team surveyed people experienced the death of a person at a