49th National Conference for The Compassionate Friends
The 49th National Conference for The Compassionate Friends is a place for bereaved parents to find community and hope, while learning and sharing with others. Lifelong friendships are often made at the conference through meeting others who truly understand the painful loss of a child. This event will take place in Baltimore, Maryland, during the weekend of July 2-5, 2026.
Members from Alive Alone have applied to present workshops for now childless bereaved parents, plus there will be other workshops for those with no surviving children.
Registration for the conference, and reservations for the hotel are now open.
Registration Rates:
Adult Registration $320 special opening rate $245
(special opening rate ends March 16th at midnight, EDT)
Active Military/Student Registration $245 special opening rate $170
(special opening rate ends March 16th at midnight, EDT)
Child Registration (6-17 years old) $200 special opening rate $125
(special opening rate ends March 16th at midnight, EDT)
Hotel Reservations
This year’s conference will be held at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor. Reservations can now be made online at TCF’s dedicated reservation link. The TCF discounted room rate with the Hilton is $189 per night (reg. $334+/night) plus applicable taxes and fees. Please note that each attendee can reserve a maximum of two rooms. Many attendees arrive on Thursday since the conference begins early on Friday morning. TCF will also have pre-conference activities that are offered on Thursday evening, that attendees find beneficial.
Keynote Speakers
David Kessler is a bereaved father as well as one of the world’s foremost experts on grief and loss. He is the author of seven books, including his latest bestselling book, Finding Meaning, as well as the Finding Meaning Companion Workbook. He co-authored two books with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, Life Lessons and On Grief and Grieving. He also co-wrote You Can Heal Your Heart with Louise Hay and authored Visions, Trips and Crowded Rooms: Who and What You See Before You Die. His first book, The Needs of the Dying, received praise from Saint (Mother) Teresa.
Dr. Laura Berman is one of the world’s most recognized love, and relationship therapists, as well as a New York Times bestselling author who’s written 10 books, an award winning radio and television host, and media personality. Laura’s journey into grief work began after the devastating loss of her son, Sammy in 2021. Today she combines her clinical expertise and lived experience to guide people in creating lives filled with connection, resilience, and love in the Grief Healing Collective.
Stephen Panus is a storyteller and mentor and coach at heart, one driven by purpose, resilience, and the unwavering belief that we can turn pain into positive change. As the author of the best-selling book Walk On, he shares his deeply personal journey following the tragic loss of his 16-year-old son, Jake, who was a passenger in a vehicle tragically killed in a reckless and senseless car crash in the summer of 2020. Through telling his story, inspirational speaking and leadership development training, Stephen inspires others to find strength, create meaning, and hold tightly onto hope in life’s most difficult moments.
Katy Myers found The Compassionate Friends after the death of her sister, Kristin, and over time, found her tribe—fellow siblings, her chosen family within her local chapter, and a national community built through service and connection. Her annual workshop, Finding Your Tribe, grew from her own search for belonging and has become a consistent space where siblings feel seen, understood, and less alone. Katy often shares that TCF saved her life—and as a keynote speaker for Sibling Sunday, she brings her whole self: a devoted sister, a committed leader, and a passionate advocate for siblings carrying love, loss, and hope forward together.
Alive Alone is not the sponsor of this event, and we post these events for the benefit of all bereaved parents.