Evermore is dedicated to making the world a more livable place for bereaved people. We are changing policies and practices within our communities — and across our nation — so that all bereaved individuals can achieve a healthy and prosperous future.
Check out Evermore’s latest progress report!
Whether the deaths are from overdose, suicide, mass casualty events, homicide, accidents, war, stillbirth, or medical conditions, bereaved individuals, families, and communities often have access to few resources.
Bereavement is largely undocumented and thus a “hidden” (or invisible) problem in the United States and throughout the world. In addition to the immense personal tragedy people experience, it’s a problem with vast health, economic, and social consequences. We need more than thoughts and prayers.
Evermore is accelerating lasting societal change using data and science to drive policy and practice advancements that are grounded in the lived experiences of bereaved people.
To achieve this mission, we work across health, social, and economic issues that are central in preserving the rights, dignity, and solvency of all bereaved individuals.
Our nation can do better. We are working every day to bring more and better resources to people and the professionals who serve them. We hope you will join us in making the world a more livable place for bereaved people.
We Believe
Bereavement care is the rule, not the exception
Regardless of age, race, religion, geography or income, access to consistent, high-quality bereavement care should be available in every neighborhood of America. Resources and programs should meet the individual needs of the populations they serve.
Bereaved individuals are not getting the support they need
Research suggests that adverse physical and behavioral health outcomes would be mitigated by systems that are prepared to provide longitudinal support to bereaved people. Many bereaved persons cited pressure to be “over it” several years after the event, and have expressed negative feelings are exacerbated by lingering grief.
Populations with a greater need for bereavement care are less likely to access it
Study after study notes that findings may not be generalizable because bereavement study participants are more likely to be white and affluent. Authors generally attribute this to a combination of comfort with seeking bereavement support and the means to participate in sessions (transportation, availability during working hours, etc.).
All deaths are different
The circumstances surrounding each death are influenced by myriad factors. Categorization of death by disease process or mechanical cause has utility in data collection, but it says nothing of the family’s experience of the event. Bereaved individuals have described a range of emotions following notification of death or diagnosis of life-limiting illness – extreme emotional shock, numbness, dissociation, blame, and fault to name a few – and their reaction to those emotions is unpredictable.
The bereaved may not “heal” and that’s okay
A growing body of evidence shows that some bereaved individuals experience serious longitudinal behavioral and physical health effects following the death of a loved one. While many supporters may want the bereaved to “heal” or feel that they are “still mourning,” it is important to recognize that coping with a devastating loss takes time and that’s okay.