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A Note About the End of Life Coalition
After many years of meaningful work, the Greater Grand Rapids End of Life Coalition is winding down.
Over time, we’ve seen a shift in how education and collaboration happen in our community. With decreasing attendance at in-person conferences and a move toward shorter, virtual trainings, the coalition’s original structure is no longer the best fit.
We are incredibly grateful for the many organizations, professionals, and community members who have been part of this work. Together, we’ve created valuable opportunities for education, connection, and support around end-of-life care.
This website will remain available for the next year to share this update.
Thank you for being part of the coalition’s journey.
6/3/2026
Who We Are
The Greater Grand Rapids End of Life Coalition is a community-wide collaboration of area hospice, hospital, higher education, and service organizations dedicated to increasing awareness and improving end of life care within the greater Grand Rapids community.
Our Mission
The mission of the Greater Grand Rapids End of Life Coalition is to increase awareness and create opportunities for improving end of life care within the greater Grand Rapids community. Ongoing efforts of the Greater Grand Rapids End of Life Coalition include:
Raising community awareness about end of life care
Addressing end of life care through collaborative education
Educating health care professionals in end of life care
Supporting professionals working in end of life care
Development of specific projects to positively impact end of life care in the greater Grand Rapids area
Our History
The Greater Grand Rapids End of Life Coalition officially formed in January 2003 as a result of a successful partnership in September 2002 where, as a group, coalition partners sponsored the weeklong Between Now and Forever event at Grand Rapids Community College. This successful community event drew nearly 400 people to a national touring exhibit on loss, grief, and healing; and 200 people to a series of workshops on end of life issues. EOL coalition now sponsors yearly conferences addressing End of Life issues across the lifespan.
What we mean by "End of Life"
The term “end of life” can have different meanings to different people. Whatever the term may mean to you, it is never too early to begin planning for yourself and those that you love. Some of the areas that people may think of in relationship to the term “end of life” include, but are not limited to the following:
Hospice
Palliative care (comfort care)
Advance directives
Quality of life