EricsHouse began with a family’s love and loss. After Marianne and Greg’s son Eric died by suicide in 2016 following a long struggle with addiction, they were shattered by grief and stigma. Searching for help, they found few places that understood the unique pain of suicide and substance loss. Out of that need and their desire to help others survive what they had endured, they founded EricsHouse in 2017, a place where people could find hope, understanding, and community after devastating loss.

Losing someone to suicide or substance use can feel isolating and misunderstood. Misconceptions about these deaths can deepen feelings of shame and guilt, preventing people from mourning openly. Friends and family can often try to rush the grieving process and get the loss survivor to return to their "old self". It is important to understand that grief cannot be fixed, rather it is an ongoing process that changes over time. Moreover, time alone does not heal wounds; healing comes through connection, understanding, and the freedom to mourn openly in a compassionate community. EricsHouse exists to provide that space where survivors can begin to heal.

Aligned with Dr. Wolfelt’s grief companioning model, EricsHouse supports bereaved individuals in three essential ways: through one-on-one peer-led companioning sessions, healing workshops that help people understand and process their grief, and transformational retreats that open pathways to living life after loss. Every service is part of our holistic approach that honors the emotional, spiritual, and physical dimensions of healing. Together, we help people find connection, meaning, and the strength to move forward, building resilient communities and ending cycles of trauma through compassion.

Praise for the Broken and Blessed retreat for suicide loss survivors ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Beyond expectations! Fellowship with others also in the same situations. What a blessing."

"I felt I was able to open up about sensitive feelings and emotions without judgment."

"It was the best therapeutic experience. It helped me the past two years."

"Thank you so much for helping me begin to find hope in my healing journey. You are truly blessed in what you do."

"I really love being together. Everyone was amazingly supportive. My expectations were met. I am deeply grateful."

When you are in need of hope, here are some quotes you can keep folded in your pocket to remind yourself that grief is a journey.

Families in grief want and need support that makes them feel seen, heard, and understood. That's why EricsHouse provides specialized support based on the type of loss and relationship.

Jackie and Janelle Cole are a mother and daughter grieving the loss of their son and brother Stu to suicide. In this interview with EricsHouse Co-Founder Greg Eckerman, hear from them how their feelings and experience differed after their loss and how EricsHouse was able to help in their grief journeys.

Hear directly from our members what the EricsHouse community means to them.

Jackie and Janelle Cole lost their son and brother Stu to suicide in 2022. Today they are EricsHouse peer group facilitators and provide hope to others facing devastating loss.

Andrew Curry lost his wife and the mother of his daughter to suicide in 2022. The community he found at EricsHouse helped him find a new purpose in life, and now he's pursuing a career in psychology.

Charles Savoni lost his son Joey to Fentanyl poisoning in 2019. It was a sudden and devastating loss that is difficult to contend with to this day, but he says that he made lifelong friends through EricsHouse who help him continue to navigate the pain of loss on his grief journey.

Sara Graf lost her son Austin to suicide in 2022. She says that for her and her husband, finding the community at EricsHouse was a gift, and she became a peer group facilitator to help other moms feel hope after loss.

Give Hope to a Family in Grief

By EricsHouse

Give Hope to a Family in Grief

Thank you for your compassionate support