Resiliency & Support Resources for Military Surviving Family Members
Military surviving families do not have to navigate grief alone. Support for military survivors, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, is available through trusted programs, counseling services, and long-term assistance resources.
While the loss of a loved one brings lasting change, military survivor support programs help families manage grief, understand benefits, and adjust to life transitions with care, compassion, and connection.
Resiliency After Loss
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and there is no set timeline for healing. Resiliency after loss does not mean forgetting a loved one—it means learning healthy ways to cope while honoring their memory.
Surviving family members often build resiliency by:
- Staying connected with family, friends, and support networks.
- Participating in grief counseling or peer support groups.
- Maintaining healthy daily routines and self-care practices.
- Honoring loved ones through traditions and remembrance.
- Reaching out for survivor assistance when needed.
Resources for Surviving Military Families
A variety of military survivor benefits and support organizations provide emotional, financial, and long-term assistance:
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) – Offers bereavement counseling, survivor benefits, healthcare eligibility, and education support for eligible family members.
- Military OneSource – Provides confidential counseling, financial consultations, and survivor resource referrals at no cost.
- HQMC Long-Term Assistance Program – Supports surviving families with understanding benefits, navigating resources, and accessing long-term Marine Corps support services.
- Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) – Provides 24/7 peer support, grief counseling, survivor seminars, and community-based programs for those grieving a military loss.
Ongoing Commitment to Surviving Families
The Marine Corps remains committed to supporting surviving families well beyond casualty assistance. Long-term military survivor support is available to help families stay connected, access resources, and continue healing at their own pace.
Reaching out for help is a sign of strength. Survivors are encouraged to stay connected and use available programs to support emotional well-being, financial stability, and long-term resilience.