Frequently Asked Questions
(Click on Butterfly for Answers)

If I go to a meeting, will I have to talk?
My child was an adult and didn’t live at home. Can I still go to a meeting?
Is there a charge to attend?
What happens at a meeting?
Can I bring a friend with me?
My husband says he won’t come with me. Can I come alone?
My child died from AIDS. Will I be welcome?
Religion doesn’t matter to me anymore. Can people at a meeting accept that?
I notice the meeting is in a church. Do I have to belong to a church to attend?
Do I need a reservation before I come to a meeting?
My child died seven years ago, and I postponed my grief work. Now it’s catching up with me. Is it too late to come now?

If I go to a meeting, will I have to talk?
      No one is required to talk at any meeting. We understand how difficult that can be when our grief is so fresh. We do ask that you listen, however. Back to top

My child was an adult and didn’t live at home. Can I still go to a meeting?
      Chapter meetings are open to all families who have experienced the death of a child, at any age, from any cause. Regardless of age, we in the Anne Arundel County Chapter of BPUSA believe our children will always be thought of as just that.....our children. Back to top

Is there a charge to attend?
     There is never a charge to attend an Anne Arundel County Chapter meeting. We rely on voluntary donations from members, friends and the community at large. Back to top

What happens at a meeting?
      Some meetings are simply introducing ourselves and sharing our thoughts and feelings. At other times, we have short programs before the sharing time. The programs may include a brief guest speaker, viewing a video tape, or listening to an audio tape. Back to top

Can I bring a friend with me?
     Of course, you can bring a friend, but we ask that he or she, as well as all members, respect each other's privacy. It is important for us to be able to share freely within our group and be sure confidences will be respected. Back to top

My husband says he won’t come with me. Can I come alone?
      Yes. We all grieve differently and he may not be ready to take part just yet...or ever. And, likewise, many husbands attend meetings without their wives. Back to top

My child died from AIDS. Will I be welcome?
      Yes. All families who have experienced the death of a child at any age, from any cause, are welcome. Back to top

Religion doesn’t matter to me anymore. Can people at a meeting accept that?
      You will find BPUSA members are very tolerant of any views. After the death of a child, many priorities, as well as values, change. Back to top

I notice the meeting is in a church. Do I have to belong to a church to attend?
      The Anne Arundel County Chapter has no religious affiliation at all. The Calvary United Methodist Church has graciously provided a meeting place, because they, like many other organizations in the community, support our mission.Back to top

Do I need a reservation before I come to a meeting?
      No reservations are needed. Just come whenever you feel up to it. Back to top

My child died seven years ago, and I postponed my grief work. Now it’s catching up with me. Is it too late to come now?
      We all grieve differently. Many parents don’t feel the need of a support group until years after the death of a child. It’s all right to come whenever you are ready, whether it’s soon after your child’s death, months later or years later. Back to top