Mutual support groups whose meetings take place in local community settings, usually on a weekly or monthly basis, enabling participants to have face-to-face contact with other people. In-person support groups generally have scheduled meeting times, closed membership and professional leadership; and may feature speakers and activities.

Mutual support groups whose members are people who have experienced a loss such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation and are trying to cope with their grief as a result. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, move through the bereavement process and put their lives back together.

Mutual support groups whose members are husbands, wives or other individuals who have experienced the loss of their marriage partner or significant other. Groups may also be structured for the surviving spouses of people in law enforcement, the military or other specific high-risk professions. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, and move through the bereavement process. The groups also help members put their lives back together by providing practical information about legal issues, financial arrangements and other responsibilities of daily living.

Individuals who have experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one or pet, divorce or separation, estrangement from a family member or any other kind of significant loss whose own patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected as a result.

Men whose wives or partners have died and whose patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by the loss.

Women whose husbands or partners have died and whose patterns of personal, social and familial coping have been significantly affected by the loss.