Recently, someone kindly reached out and asked if we could avoid using the word “died” and instead say “passed away.” It was a thoughtful reminder that grief language is deeply personal. Many people prefer softer words because death feels painful and overwhelming to talk about directly. Euphemisms like “passed away” can feel gentler and more comforting to some grieving people.
At The Sun Will Rise Foundation, we often choose to use direct language like “died due to” or “death.” Not to be harsh. Not to take away tenderness. But because many people bereaved due to substance use related causes have spent years feeling like the reality of what happened was hidden, stigmatized or left unspoken. Personally I don’t care for the words '“lost or loss” Nick is not lost, I know where he is, so we steer away from that language as well. There can be something powerful about naming death honestly and still being met with compassion, support and understanding.
At the same time, we deeply respect that every grieving person relates to language differently. There is no universally right way to speak about grief. We tried to make the Mother’s Day graphic with that in mind. What feels comforting to one person may feel painful to another. Maybe the most important thing is not choosing perfect words, but staying willing to sit beside each other in the truth of grief itself.
Read more Euphemisms and Grief
with care
~ Robyn
Robyn Houston-Bean
Founder, The Sun Will Rise Foundation
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MEETING CHANGES THIS WEEK
The BROCKTON MA meeting is back on the schedule this week! Meeting at 2:00 pm on 5/13/26 this month. Please note, next month it will meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month going forward.
ENTER TO WIN TWO ARIANA GRANDE TICKETS & HELP SUPPORT THE SUN WILL RISE!
One lucky winner will receive two Ariana Grande concert tickets at TD Garden in Boston on Wednesday 7/22/26 at 8:00 pm!
Raffle entries are $20 per ticket or $100 for six tickets. Each ticket equals one entry.
Multiple tickets may be purchased to increase chances of winning.
One winner will be selected at random from all eligible entries.
The winner will receive two Ariana Grande concert tickets at TD Garden.
Raffle ticket sales close on 07/10/26.
Winner will be drawn and notified on 07/11/26.
Winner will be contacted directly using the information provided at checkout.
You do not need to be present to win.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
Raffle ticket purchases are not tax-deductible.
This raffle is conducted by The Sun Will Rise Foundation, a registered Massachusetts nonprofit organization.
Void where prohibited by law.
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HERE’S SOME OF WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY AT TSWR
The Sun Will Rise has been cleared as an organization to provide peer grief support at the Norfolk County Correctional Center! More info to follow as we explore what that might look like.
Director Leslie Lagos joined in the 2 year birthday celebration at Wey of Life Recovery Center! Have you checked out your local Peer Recovery Support Center? The Massachusetts Peer Recovery Support Centers (PRSC) are free accessible peer-led spaces that provide individuals in recovery from substance use, as well as families and loved ones affected by addiction, the opportunity to both offer and receive support in their community environment.
UPCOMING TSWR & SADOD ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Last call! Try something new with us! Joy Culture Movement Workshop Saturday May 16, 2026 1:00-3:00 pm Boston MA A movement based workshop led by Rasheeda Faulk, a person bereaved due to substance use, creates spaces where movement feels approachable. You do not need to know how to dance. You do not need to be “good” at anything.The hardest part is just showing up. Rasheeda’s approach is simple: just have fun and move your body in a way that feels right to you. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. This workshop, held in collaboration with Mad Moms, The Phoenix & Newform is designed to be a safe, supportive space where people bereaved due to substance use related causes can:
release tension
reconnect with their body
experience moments of joy without pressure
Questions? Contact Leslie@thesunwillrise.org or david@thesunwillrise.org
SADOD’s May Psychoeducational Virtual Workshop How to Become and Advocate Tuesday, May 26, 2026 from 6:30–8:00 pm ET. For some people, grief brings not only pain, but questions about how to create change. This workshop features three bereaved mothers, Robyn Houston-Bean, Barbara Allen & Joyal Mulhern, who have all transformed their loss into advocacy at local, regional, and national levels. Through their stories, participants will explore how advocacy can take many forms, and how getting involved can be approached in ways that feel intentional, sustainable, and aligned with personal values. This virtual workshop will be held and will be recorded. Learn more and REGISTER HERE. Free for MA residents (use code MASS). $10 for those outside MA. Email Laura@sadod.org if cost is a concern.
Community Meal Thursday, May 28, 2026 1:00 - 2:30 PM Taunton Peer Recovery Center Taunton MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Taunton MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Lunch - Community - Care - Free Services - Support - Raffles All ages welcome. Registration appreciated but not required (we’d like to prepare for the meal.)
If you are a local community organization offering free services for those in or seeking recovery and/or grieving the death of someone they care about to a substance use related death, please join and bring your literature to share.
Three Dimensional Wool Felting Workshop at The Felted Bee May 30, 2026 10:00 am- 12:00 pm Rockland MA In this beginner friendly class you will learn the basics of needle felting. The class will go through safety, tips and tricks and you will go home with the beginner knowledge of felting in three dimensions. Participants will transform carded wool fibers into beautiful cardinal. Registration required. Cost: FREE but requires a $20 per person deposit that you will receive back at the event. If you sign up and do not attend the event without giving us 10 days notice, the deposit is not refundable. We do this to be able to continue to offer events at no cost to you. Thanks for your understanding. Please don’t let the deposit be a barrier—if cost is an issue, just let us know. We’re committed to making this event accessible to everyone. If you have any accessibility needs (physical or otherwise), please reach out. We want to ensure everyone feels welcome and supported. Questions? Contact Judy Kelly judyannkelly@gmail.com 781-264-0557 LEARN WHAT WOOL FELTING IS.
Third Annual Men’s BBQ Sunday 5/31/26 1:00 pm Wrentham MA We are proud to sponsor this annual event hosted by Gilly’s House. Free for men bereaved due to substance use related causes or suicide. Come stand Shoulder to Shoulder with other men and experience a day of food, cornhole and community! Register here. Questions? David@thesunwillrise.org
Community Hub Info Session Tuesday 6/2/26 6:00-7:00 pm ET Zoom LInk Learn more about Mosaic’s Community Hub. This platform was born from a desire for a dynamic, online, knowledge-sharing platform to help people in the field find and post opportunities for funding, jobs, upcoming events, publications, and information about current and promising interventions, services, and programs. Membership in Mosaic’s Community Hub is free and available to individuals, organizations, municipalities, and state agencies across Massachusetts.
Community Meal Thursday, June, 4 2026 4:30-6:00 PM CORE Peer Recovery & Resource Center Gloucester MA Join us for a Community Meal to meet the people behind the free services and support available in Gloucester MA & the surrounding communities. Give-aways - Literature - Dinner - Community - Care - Free Services - Support - Raffles All ages welcome. Registration appreciated but not required (we’d like to prepare for the meal.)
If you are a local community organization offering free services for those in or seeking recovery and/or grieving the death of someone they care about to a substance use related death, please join and bring your literature to share.
Renew, Refresh, Reset Grief Retreat for Bereaved Parents Date: June 26-28 2026 or August 14-16 2026 SOLD OUT. Response was well beyond capacity. Emails were sent out this week regarding the June retreat to let people know that they had a spot or were put on the waitlist. August notifications will go out this week. Questions about the retreat? Contact Cheryl Juarie Cherju4339@aol.com
HALO INITIATIVES: FAMILY OVERDOSE SUPPORT FUND
Boston Residents! If you are a BOSTON resident who has experienced the death of a family member to overdose within the last 2 years, you may be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial support. Apply here.
Do you know someone bereaved due to substance use related causes that would appreciate our weekly email? Have them sign up here for support!
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“Please be happy. The sun will rise” ~Nick Bean