Franciscan Health Hosts Men’s Bereavement Group In April & May In Indianapolis
3/25/2025
Phil Darmelio (Left) reads with his great-granddaughter (Right).
INDIANAPOLIS – Phil Darmelio was not sure what to expect when he first attended the men’s bereavement group hosted by Franciscan Health, but he knew he needed some support, after his wife of 60 years, Joanne, died in March 2023.
What the Indianapolis resident found was a group of fellow men, who were going through a similar situation that he was. The group helped him grieve and heal, while also introducing him to new friends. In fact, Darmelio and three other men he met through the group now go out to lunch each and every Tuesday.
“The one thing about our men’s group is that we talk and if we want to cry, you can, and I did cry,” said Darmelio. “Every other guy it seems like has as well. It makes us feel very satisfied that we can really express ourselves.”
Darmelio learned about the men’s bereavement group through his daughter-in-law and the idea of attending intrigued him. He immediately signed up and is very grateful that he did.
“We get to express our feelings and just talk,” he said. “We also offer suggestions to each other, because a lot of what is discussed has happened to us and we can relate. It is just very satisfying.”
Darmelio has attended each of the last three, six-week sessions of the men’s bereavement group and will make it four in-a-row this spring. There is a certain camaraderie that develops between the men who attend the group.
“We really do help each other,” said Darmelio. “Being able to comment on what each other says is very helpful. A lot of it is things that happened to us and we had to do this or that and can really relate to each other.”
The next session of the men’s bereavement group begins on Tuesday, April 8. Darmelio encourages any men, who have suffered the death of a loved one to attend.
“If people are hesitant to attend, I would tell them you should come because everybody in the room is more or less in the same boat you are,” said Darmelio. “We all suffered the same kind of sadness together and you can express your feelings. It’s going to be two years and I'm still not over it. We spent 60 years together. The group has been very beneficial and that's why I keep going back.”
The group will meet on six consecutive Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. from April 8 through May 13 at the Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis.
The group is open to those who are grieving over the death of a loved one. It is free, but registration is required. To register, call 317-528-2636.
The Franciscan Hospice House is located at 8414 Franciscan Lane in Indianapolis.
What the Indianapolis resident found was a group of fellow men, who were going through a similar situation that he was. The group helped him grieve and heal, while also introducing him to new friends. In fact, Darmelio and three other men he met through the group now go out to lunch each and every Tuesday.
“The one thing about our men’s group is that we talk and if we want to cry, you can, and I did cry,” said Darmelio. “Every other guy it seems like has as well. It makes us feel very satisfied that we can really express ourselves.”
Darmelio learned about the men’s bereavement group through his daughter-in-law and the idea of attending intrigued him. He immediately signed up and is very grateful that he did.
“We get to express our feelings and just talk,” he said. “We also offer suggestions to each other, because a lot of what is discussed has happened to us and we can relate. It is just very satisfying.”
Darmelio has attended each of the last three, six-week sessions of the men’s bereavement group and will make it four in-a-row this spring. There is a certain camaraderie that develops between the men who attend the group.
“We really do help each other,” said Darmelio. “Being able to comment on what each other says is very helpful. A lot of it is things that happened to us and we had to do this or that and can really relate to each other.”
The next session of the men’s bereavement group begins on Tuesday, April 8. Darmelio encourages any men, who have suffered the death of a loved one to attend.
“If people are hesitant to attend, I would tell them you should come because everybody in the room is more or less in the same boat you are,” said Darmelio. “We all suffered the same kind of sadness together and you can express your feelings. It’s going to be two years and I'm still not over it. We spent 60 years together. The group has been very beneficial and that's why I keep going back.”
The group will meet on six consecutive Tuesday mornings from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. from April 8 through May 13 at the Franciscan Hospice House in Indianapolis.
The group is open to those who are grieving over the death of a loved one. It is free, but registration is required. To register, call 317-528-2636.
The Franciscan Hospice House is located at 8414 Franciscan Lane in Indianapolis.
Media Contact
Tony Veneziano
Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 317-528-7986
Email: Tony.Veneziano@FranciscanAlliance.org