For Dinner Partiers

Welcome to your For Dinner Partiers page!

On this page, you’ll find a variety of resources and inspiration, developed by The Dinner Party and our community, to support you in your own grief and at your Table.

Use our A Year of Gathering guide to stay supported and inspired, month over month! It’s a comprehensive resource that includes everything from text templates to help you communicate better, tips on resolving conflict, ways to show up better, how to navigate capacity changes, and ideas for celebration.

Curl up with a griefy read and find comfort and validation in the words of others.

Check out our self-care activity booklet for some ideas to help you regulate and find a moment of zen!

Grab copies of our Community Guidelines, Covenant, and Manifesto as you prepare to build and co-create alongside others.

Preparing to gather:

Ways to show up:

  • “Hey! I know your dad’s death anniversary is this weekend, and that 5 years is a really big one. I’m here if you’d like witnessing.” 

  • “Took this picture of last night’s sunset. Sending you good vibes this week!” 

  • “I appreciate you hosting this Table for us and allowing us into your home. I saw you’re running low on paper plates, will bring some next time!”

  • “I saw this cool crafting idea while scrolling last night, can anyone pitch in a few bucks for supplies?”

  • “Omg this meme made me laugh SO much this week. Who’s down for a meme dump to cope through the horrors?”

  • “Hey! I’m in your neighborhood tomorrow. Up for a quick walk?” 

Alternatives to “How are you?”:

  • What has this month looked like for you? What season of grief, or life, are you in?

  • What’s something you learned this week?

  • What’s bringing you joy lately? 

  • What meme perfectly captures how you're feeling lately? 

  • Pick a color or weather forecast to describe how you’re feeling! 

  • What have you been snacking on lately?

  • Any book you’re loving lately, or show you’re binge watching? 

  • Anything you want to vent about or celebrate? How can I witness you?

Deepening your conversations:

Collective grief can amplify our own losses. This resource was developed by The Dinner Party, for when you’re feeling the weight of the world: Holding Space while Holding the Headlines.

Want to have "better" conversations? Ask better questions with this resource developed by The Dinner Party in partnership with the School Crisis Recovery & Renewal Project.

Taking care of YOU:

Dig into our self-care activity booklet for some special ways to take good care of yourself.

Journaling Prompts:

Sign up for HelpTexts, for expert-written, evidence-based customized text support.

  • “Hello grief, how are you today?” 

  • Write a letter to the self you were before your grief. Or a eulogy for the self or life you’ve lost.

  • Write about your tangled ball of grief: what threads are in it? 

  • Write new words that don’t exist for your grief. Write their definitions. 

  • Write a letter to your dead, catching them up on where you are today. 

  • If my grief were a superhero, what would its powers be? How would it use its powers? Does it have a costume? 

  • If my grief were a recipe, what would it be made of? (2 cups of tears? A pinch of anxiety? How many Tablespoons of rage are you currently feeling?)

Creative Activities:

  • Draw your grief—What is its shape? Color? Texture?

  • Self Portrait: Draw or write about the face you show the world. Draw or write about the way you feel inside.   

  • Collage: Make a collage based on a particular theme, word, emotion, quote, etc. 

  • Grief Kit: Make a grief kit filled with items that bring you calm. 

  • Grief Map: You might draw, write, collage, sing a song about it, or whatever format feels best. Where have you been? Where are you going? Who have you met and traveled with? Is there a trail with memories and landmarks along the way? Or perhaps there are no direct routes?

Other resources for you to explore!

IF YOU OR A TABLE MEMBER IS IN CRISIS

Directly reaching out or pointing someone in the direction of any of these would mean immediate support and local resources, whether for a peer or for yourself. Check out our Mental Health Resource doc to better understand your role as a participant of The Dinner Party. The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) has helpful advice on what to do if you are worried about someone, too.

In any emergency, call 9-1-1

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 9-8-8

Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741-741

Supplemental Peer Support Resources:

Wildflower Alliance Peer Support Line: Call 888-407-4515  Trans Lifeline: Call 877-565-8860

Call Blackline: Call 800-604-5841 Warmlines.orgfor additional lines