Terms of Service and Use
Light of Grief–Terms of Service and Use–Last Updated October 21, 2025
Welcome to our website. Light of Grief (“Light of Grief,” “we,” “us,” “our,” “the website”) is a non-profit
organization offering resources and a community for individuals coping with loss and bereavement challenges.
These Terms of Service and Use (“Terms”) explain how you may use our website, https://lightofgrief.com/, and the related web-hosting services, donations, newsletters, and grief-support resources that we provide (collectively, the “Services”).
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”) and our Cookie Policy (the “Cookie Policy”) is a
legal binding agreement between you and Light of Grief, its Website Owner, Officers, Employees, Agents,
Affiliates, Licensees, Volunteers (collectively, the “Affiliates”) and the Services.
Effective Date: October 22, 2025
By clicking the “I Agree” button below, or by accessing the website or using our Services, you agree that you have read, understand, and agree to be bound by both these Terms, by our Privacy Policy, and by our Cookie Policy. The most current version of the Terms, which supersedes all previous versions, can be reviewed by going to https://lightofgrief.com/. Light of Grief reserves the right to change the Terms at any time, and without notice to you.
If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the website and its Services.
Eligibility & Accounts
General audience; minors permitted with conditions. The website and its Services are intended for a general
audience.
Under 13. Children under 13 years old may use the Services only with verified parental/guardian consent consistent with our Privacy Policy. If we learn we collected personal information from a child under 13 years old without verified consent, we will promptly delete it. Parents/guardians may review, request deletion, or refuse further collection by contacting us at https://lightofgrief.com/.
Ages 13–17. Minors (aged 13–17) may use the Services; we encourage parent/guardian supervision. Where a feature involves submitting personal information (e.g., contact forms, newsletter sign-ups, story/blog submissions), the minor must have parent/guardian consent.
Donations & payments by minors. You must be 18 years of age or older to make a donation or purchase or have parent/guardian consent and be an authorized user of the payment method.
User Responsibilities
You understand and agree that you are solely responsible for your actions and decisions in using the website and its Services.
You also understand and agree that you are solely responsible for your actions and decisions in using the website and its Services to meet other people, who you meet online by virtue of the Services provided on Light of Grief. You understand that Light of Grief and its Affiliates do not perform psychological testing or background checks on the individuals who may use the website or its Services. You understand and agree that you must take all reasonable precautions before meeting others through the Services provided by Light of Grief, which includes, but is not limited to: exchanging e-mail first before giving out any personal information and meeting in a public place.
Donations & Recurring Contributions
Donations are processed by Zeffy (and, where applicable, GiveWP). We do not store full payment card details. All donations are voluntary and non-refundable except as required by law.
If you choose a recurring donation, you consent to recurring billing; you may cancel anytime via your account or by contacting us.
Minors. Donations initiated by users under 18 years old require parent/guardian consent and use of a
parent/guardian-authorized payment method.
Donations are voluntary charitable contributions and generally non-refundable unless required by law.
International donations may involve additional banking, tax, or currency requirements; donors are responsible for local compliance.
Use of Website and Resources
You may use the Services for lawful, non-commercial purposes only. You may download and share our free grief resources for personal use but may not resell or distribute them without permission. You agree not to: (1) misuse or disrupt the website or its Services; (2) attempt unauthorized access of the website or its Services; or (3) use the website or its Services for unlawful, fraudulent, or harmful purposes.
User Content: Stories, Blogs, Testimonials; Offensive or Obscene Material
We may invite users to share stories, testimonials, or blog submissions (“User Content”). By submitting User
Content, you grant Light of Grief a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, and distribute the
content in connection with our mission.
User Content must be submitted voluntarily. Light of Grief may, but is not obligated to, review, edit, decline, or
remove User Content at its sole discretion for appropriateness, privacy, or other reasons consistent with our mission. By submitting User Content, you understand and agree that Light of Grief may make editorial changes (such as shortening, clarifying, or correcting text) or remove content, and that your consent to its use continues even after such editing or removal.
You represent that you own good title to or have the right to submit the User Content and that the User Content does not infringe upon the good title rights or intellectual property rights of others.
Minor's Submissions
If you are under 18 years old, you represent that you have parent/guardian consent to submit User Content. For users under 13 years old, any submission(s) must be made by or with the verified consent of a parent/guardian.
It is possible that other Light of Grief users will post or send obscene or offensive materials on the website or to you via e-mail. It is also possible that by using your e-mail address, other people may, through other means outside the control of Light of Grief, have access to personal information about you. Neither Light of Grief, its Affiliates, or its Services, are responsible for User Content or personal information or the transmissions or release of such User Content/personal information by others about you.
Volunteers & Case Management Information
Volunteers may be asked to sign a separate agreement; volunteers under 18 require parent/guardian consent and any additional forms we specify. If Light of Grief expands into case management services, sensitive information (such as family details, circumstances of loss, hospital/home information) will be collected only with appropriate consent (including verified parent/guardian consent for minors) and handled with strict confidentiality, consistent with our Privacy Policy.
Third-Party Services & Links
Our Services may link to or rely on third-party services, including Zeffy (donations), GiveWP, GoDaddy (hosting), and social media platforms. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third-party sites or services. Their terms and privacy policies govern your interactions with them.
Privacy
Your use of the website and its Services is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your information, including our compliance with the Children’s Online Policy and Protection Act
(“COPPA”) and the parents’ rights to review or delete a child’s information and to refuse further collection.
No Warranties
Light of Grief, its Affiliates, and its Services, provide the website and its Services on an "as is" basis and do not
make any warranty, express, implied, limited or other, with respect to the website or Services provided. Specifically, Light of Grief, its Affiliates, and its Services, do not warrant that the website or its Services will always be available, be uninterrupted, be error free, meet your requirements, or that any defects in the website or its Services will be corrected.
Right to Monitor and Remove Inappropriate Material
Light of Grief and its Affiliates may, at its discretion, monitor materials posted in any area of the website, and
remove any information that violates any privacy concerns or is deemed inappropriate . You remain responsible for your use of any information contained on the website or its Services.
Disclaimers: Emotional Support & Professional Advice
Light of Grief provides emotional support resources only. Neither we, our Affiliates, or our Services provide
medical, psychological, therapeutic, or legal services. Any content, opinions, advice, statements, or other comments shared on the website (including, but not limited to: events, resources, blogs, and shared stories) is for informational and educational purposes only and is not be relied upon, nor construed to be, professional advice from Light of Grief, its Affiliates, or its Services, as a substitute for professional advice. Further, Light of Grief, its Services, and its Affiliates, do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any of the information provided on the website, and neither Light of Grief, its Affiliates, or its Services are responsible for any loss resulting from your reliance on such information.
Use of the website, and/or participation or use of our programs and/or Services does not create a counselor–client or therapist–client relationship.
If you are in crisis or need professional help, please seek immediate support from a licensed professional or call
emergency services.
Legal Terms and Conditions:
Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by law, Light of Grief and its Affiliates shall not be liable for any incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or other indirect damages arising out of or relating to your accessing the website or using any of its Services.
Our liability, if any, shall not exceed the amount of donations that you made in the twelve (12) months preceding any legal claim(s).
Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Light of Grief, its Affiliates, and its Services from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your misuse of the Services or violation of these Terms. Your sole remedy for
dissatisfaction with the website, its content, or its Services, is to cease all of your use with the website.
Termination of Access
We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the website and its Services at any time, with or without notice to you, for violation of these Terms or misuse of the website or its Services.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.
Dispute Resolution
Any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Services shall be
resolved informally where possible, and, if necessary, in a court of competent jurisdiction in Orange County,
California.
Each party shall bear its own costs and attorney’s fees, unless otherwise required by applicable law. You understand and agree that these terms are the exclusive means of resolving disputes.
Severability & Waiver
If any provision of these Terms is held unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, so that the rest of the remaining provisions remain in full force and effect. Our failure to enforce any right shall not constitute a waiver of these Terms.
Entire Agreement
These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Light of Grief
regarding the website, its Affiliates, and its Services.
Your Certification
You certify that you are at least 18 years of age before accessing the website and/or its Services (or, under 18 years of age with appropriate parental consent as indicated above). In accessing and using Light of Grief or its Services, you understand and agree that basic information concerning you, given to Light of Grief, will be published on the website for others to view, along with your User ID, except as provided in these Terms or in our Privacy Policy. Further, your name, address and e-mail address are kept confidential, except as provided above and in our Privacy Policy.
Contact Information
For any questions about these Terms, please use the following contact information:
Website Operator: Sadaff Khan
Email: contact@lightofgrief.com
