National Father's Day Grief Helpline Available Through VITAS Healthcare

June 9, 2026

MIRAMAR, Fla. – Father’s Day can intensify grief for millions of Americans, turning a day of celebration into one of quiet loss. Last year, more than 20,000 VITAS Healthcare hospice patients were fathers, representing tens of thousands of families who may feel that absence more deeply this month. To support those navigating loss, VITAS will host a free, confidential Father’s Day Grief Helpline on Sunday, June 21, offering nationwide support from trained hospice bereavement specialists.

The helpline provides immediate access to experienced professionals who understand how holidays can intensify grief and who can offer comfort, guidance and practical coping strategies. The service is one of the few nationwide resources dedicated to holiday-related grief.

Grief does not disappear simply because we avoid talking about it.-Jason Cooper, VITAS national spiritual services lead

Individuals seeking support can call the VITAS Father’s Day Grief Helpline at 844.218.4827 between 8 a.m.–11 p.m. ET / 5 a.m.–8 p.m. PT on Sunday, June 21. The helpline is free and open to anyone experiencing grief, regardless of previous experience with hospice care.

“For many people, Father’s Day can be one of the hardest days of the year, even when everything around them says it should feel like a celebration,” said Jason Cooper, national spiritual services lead for VITAS. “Some may feel pressure to stay busy, stay strong or keep their emotions private, especially men who may have been taught not to openly talk about their feelings. Grief does not disappear simply because we avoid talking about it. This helpline is here to remind people they do not have to carry it alone.”

Hospice professionals emphasize that there is no single way to grieve, and holidays often bring emotions back to the surface. Father’s Day can be particularly difficult for children who have lost their dads, fathers grieving a child, adults caring for aging or declining parents, parents of children who have lost their father, and those with complex or unresolved relationships.

The VITAS Father’s Day Grief Helpline reflects the organization’s long-standing commitment to whole-person care that addresses emotional and spiritual needs alongside physical support. Bereavement services provided by VITAS year-round include:

• Home visits from bereavement specialists, chaplains and trained volunteers
• Bereavement telephone support
• Grief support groups led by VITAS staff
• Memorial services and memory bears
• Educational materials and newsletters
• Referrals to community therapists and local grief resources

VITAS bereavement experts will also host a one-hour virtual support session, “A Season of Remembrance,” on Thursday, June 11 at 2 p.m. ET and Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. ET. These free Zoom-based sessions provide space for participants to share memories, listen to music and storytelling, and connect with others experiencing loss.

For more information about coping with loss on Father's Day and year-round bereavement support, visit VITAS.com/FathersDay.