Bereavement — the death of someone meaningful in our lives — is increasingly a direct concern for millions of people. Given the concurrency of mortality epidemics – homicide, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, and traffic fatalities – grief and bereavement are an everyday reality for every neighborhood in America. In addition to the immense personal tragedy people experience, bereavement is a problem with vast health, economic, and social consequences. To address these consequences, Evermore is accelerating lasting societal change using data and science to drive policy and practice advancements that are grounded by the lived experiences of individuals and families.

Unbeknownst to most people, bereavement is a significant risk factor for poor health and premature death. It also impacts economic opportunity, redirecting life trajectories downward, and has major spillover effects at every stage of life. Bereavement, for example, is associated with academic failings, substance misuse, teen pregnancy, incarceration, suicide attempts, suicide, and premature death — and a host of other public concerns.

Evermore is working with communities across the nation to increase bereavement awareness, education, and community-based policy actions. To create a more livable world for all bereaved people, we are working with: 

• Child Care Providers
• Death investigators/Coroners
• Domestic & Homeless Shelters
• Employers
• Faith Leaders
• First Responders
• Healthcare Specialists
• Primary Care
• ER providers
• Higher Education
• Reporters
• Schools (K-12)
• Social Worker & Therapists (Counselors)

Please join us at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for a conversation on how we can support our neighbors so that all bereaved people can achieve a healthy and prosperous future.