Grief is something every human will face, yet so many experience it in isolation. At GLADD, we believe that loss deserves compassion, presence, and community—not silence or pressure to "move on."
We envision a world where every person—regardless of background, belief, or circumstance—has access to compassionate support that transforms loss into meaning, pain into purpose, and grief into a continued bond of love.
GLADD imagines a global community that honors the sacredness of grief, embraces vulnerability as strength, and empowers individuals to rebuild their lives with courage, connection, and hope.
At GLADD (Grieving Loss After Death and Dying), our mission is to hold space for those navigating the journey of grief—transforming pain into purpose and loss into lasting connection.
We believe grief is not a problem to be solved, but a process to be honored. It is a sacred and deeply human experience rooted in love. Guided by courage, compassion, and vulnerability, we support individuals and families as they reclaim their wholeness.
Grief is deeply personal, yet universally felt. It is not linear, nor does it follow a timeline. That is why GLADD is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and nonjudgmental environment where every story, every emotion, and every memory is met with empathy and understanding.
At the heart of our mission is the belief that healing does not mean forgetting. It means remembering with love instead of pain. We are not here to fix grief—we are here to honor it, hold it, and transform it into something meaningful.
In under two minutes, learn what GLADD is, who it's for, and why it exists — from the heart of our mission.
For more than two decades, Christa McDonald, RN, has walked alongside the dying—witnessing death in all its forms and discovering that the end of life is often life's greatest teacher. A hospice nurse, author of 8 Lessons the Dying Taught Me, and owner of a private hospice home, Christa has devoted her life to helping others find meaning, forgiveness, and love—even in the midst of profound loss.
After the death of her stepfather, Christa experienced the divine inspiration that led to the creation of her nonprofit, GLADD (Grieving Loss After Death and Dying). Now recognized as the world's first international online bereavement program, GLADD is more than a resource—it is a global movement and a lifeline for the grieving.
She also founded the Dreams Come True Foundation, which helps more than 50 terminally ill patients and their families each year create meaningful final moments of joy. Today, Christa travels the world speaking about grief, healing, and the enduring power of love.
A proud single mother of two sons, ages 20 and 22, Christa's mission is to remind the world that grief is not the end of love—it is proof that love does not end with death. It simply asks us to find new ways to stay connected.
Support is available 24/7 — wherever you are in the world, whenever grief arrives.