Strangers are making friends through an online group that talks about losing a loved one.

Bre Metcalf-Oshinsky founded “The Dead People’s Group,” which targets people in their 20s and 30s who are processing their loss.

“We want people to give people space to have their experiences to express what they are going through,” Metcalf-Oshinsky said.

Metcalf-Oshinsky lost her mother to breast cancer when she was 16 years old.

“Having people in a similar age range means our life experiences are somewhat similar and also often that we lost people somewhat young in life,” Metcalf-Oshinsky said.

She started the free support group when she lost her job in 2020 when the pandemic erupted.  

Since then, the virtual group has grown by word of mouth to over 30 people.

“It’s not therapy, it is hanging out with friends in a dedicated space to talk about common experiences around grief,” Metcalf-Oshinsky said.

Clinical psychologist at the department of psychiatry at NYU Langone Health, Dr. Thea Gallagher, recommends for people to go out of their immediate circle of family and friends for support while grieving.

“In these bereavement groups, I think it is a chance to really connect to other people who are struggling with what you are struggling with and feel that support and feel normalized in the things that you are experiencing,” Dr. Gallagher said.

With her infectious laugh and a sign that says “Let’s Boogie” in her apartment, Metcalf-Oshinsky credits her humor and resilience in part to the community she has created.

“There is nothing that is more powerful than connection in your lowest moments and to be the catalyst of that connection is an immense honor for me,” Metcalf-Oshinsky said.