The Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) determines the cause and manner of death for sudden, unexpected, and unnatural deaths in Philadelphia. The MEO provides bereavement support to loved ones of anyone who comes through the office.
If the death of your loved one is not being investigated by the MEO, other resources are available.
If the Medical Examiner is investigating your loved one's death
Grief support counselors at the MEO provide free services to the loved ones of anyone who comes through the MEO. Their services include:
- Grief counseling.
- Arranging pick-up of ashes.
- Help with resources.
To learn more about MEO grief services, contact the appropriate number in the table.
| Cause of death | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Homicide | (215) 685-7411 (215) 685-9344 |
| Suicide | (215) 685-7402 |
| Drug-related death | (215) 685-7448 |
| Infant or child death | (215) 685-7402 |
| Other deaths | (215) 685-7408 |
If you have lost a loved one to a drug-related death
The Substance Use Prevention and Harm Reduction program offers support for drug-related loss. They provide grief therapy, peer support, education, and other resources.
To learn more and sign up for support programs, visit the Philly HEALs webpage.
Other bereavement resources
If City services do not meet your needs, there are many alternative resources available.
Fetal and infant deaths
- First Candle – Online resources for parents after the death of an infant or toddler.
- UNITE, Inc. – Local support groups and online resources for parents after miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant deaths.
- Glow in the Woods – Online community and resources for parents after fetal and infant deaths.
Death of a child of any age
- The Compassionate Friends – Support groups and online resources for parents, grandparents, and siblings after the death of a child of any age.
- Bereaved Parents USA – Support groups and online resources for parents after the death of their child.
Drug-related deaths
- Broken No More – Online community that provides support and guidance to those who have lost a loved one to substance use.
- GRASP – Online community of support and healing for those who have lost a loved one to substance use; includes listing of area peer support groups.
Suicide deaths
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) – Online resources for those who have lost a loved one to suicide, including a directory of support groups. The local AFSP chapter also offers outreach via telephone and care packages via mail to suicide loss survivors.
- Healthy Minds Philly – Local support groups for those who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Homicide deaths
- Anti-Violence Partnership of Philadelphia – Provides local support and free services for families who have lost a loved one to violence.
- Pennsylvania Office of Victim Services – Provides assistance in locating counseling and application forms for victims compensation.
Resources and camps for grieving children
- Uplift Center for Grieving Children – Local, free, support groups and other grief support services for children, teens, young adults, and their caregivers.
- Peter’s Place – Local area support groups and other grief resources for children and teens (4–17) and their caregivers and for young adults ages 18–25 (located in Radnor, PA).
- The Dougy Center – Online resources for grieving children, teens, young adults, and their caregivers.
- Highmark Caring Place – Free brochures for families and professionals that address some basic concepts of grief.
- Camp Erin Philadelphia – A free weekend bereavement camp for youth ages 6–17 who are grieving the death of a significant person in their lives.
- Camp Kesem – Online resources and free summer camps for children who have been impacted by a parent’s cancer; local camps sponsored by chapters at UPenn and Temple.
- Camp Mariposa – A national addiction prevention and mentoring program that offers free weekend camps for children ages 9–12 who have been affected by substance abuse in their families.
- A Haven (in Exton, PA) – Offers free individual or family sessions and support groups for kids ages 3–18 and their caretakers, including a group for teens and groups for kids who have lost a parent or a sibling.