No One Should Grieve Alone
Providing Help to our Grieving Commuity
Every year, thousands of Missouri children and families face profound loss.
In Missouri, 139,000 children (1 in 10) will experience the death of a parent or sibling before age 18. By age 25, that number grows to 327,000.
The need for grief support is clear. In Fiscal Year 2026, Lost & Found Grief Center responded to this need, providing help, hope, and healing for today and years to come.
668
During Fiscal Year 2026, 668 individuals participated
in professional grief support groups at Lost & Found Grief Center in Springfield.
112
Additionally, 112 children and adults benefited from Individual Grief Counseling at Lost & Found.
Professional Grief Support Changes Lives
Before participants begin grief group support, we ask them to complete a survey to gauge where they are on their grief journey. Throughout the year, we collect additional surveys to better understand their experience. Below are the results of Lost & Found’s FY 2026 survey data, showing how kids, teens, and adults found help, hope, and healing during their time at Lost & Found.
Helping Kids
92% of children shared they felt better and know how to cope with their grief
Helping Teens
90% of teens said memories of their person brought more comfort than sadness.
Helping Parents
70% of parents felt better equipped to navigate their grief
Helping Our Community
241 Community members received grief support training in fiscal year 2026
Additional Grief Support Resources
– Up to 50% of bereaved siblings and 40% of bereaved parents experience ongoing grief that can interfere with daily life, highlighting the importance of family-centered grief support.
– 25% of youth under the age of 18 who die by suicide are bereaved
- Source: https://judishouse.org/childhood-grief-in-america/
- Source: https://www.dougy.org/articles/the-need-for-grief-support-among-children-teens-and-young-adults-is-on-the-rise
– Unsupported grief costs employers up to $225 billion annually
- Source: https://www.fastcompany.com/91566723/grief-has-entered-the-workplace-heres-what-leaders-can-do