Bereavement
Bereavement Support & Grief Care
Ongoing support for families after the loss of a loved one.
Grief Support for Families
Bereavement care is an essential part of hospice care. It includes anticipating grief reactions and providing ongoing support for those who are grieving for a period of 13 months following the death of a loved one.
Our bereavement services are designed to support families as they navigate loss, healing, and adjustment during a very difficult time.
Understanding Grief
Grief looks different for everyone.
Bereavement is the period of grief and mourning that follows a death. Grief is a normal and expected response to loss and may be experienced in many ways — mentally, physically, socially, or emotionally.
Common reactions may include:
- Emotional: sadness, anger, guilt, anxiety, despair
- Physical: changes in sleep, appetite, or physical health
There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Each person’s experience is unique.
The Grieving Process
There is no timeline for grief.
Grief is an individual process, and no two people experience loss in the same way. The first year of bereavement is often the most difficult, as families experience many “firsts”, such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries, without their loved one.
How long bereavement lasts can depend on many factors, including the relationship with the deceased and whether the death was expected. Support may come from friends, family, faith communities, or professional grief counseling.
Our Bereavement Program
Support that meets families where they are.
Each person takes their own journey through grief and healing. Our bereavement program recognizes that there is no single approach that works for everyone. Cultural, spiritual, and personal beliefs are respected as families navigate loss.
Our program focuses on:
- Helping family members express thoughts and feelings and develop healthy coping strategies
- Supporting families as they adjust to life changes
- Providing guidance with decision-making
- Addressing social and spiritual concerns
- Assisting survivors as they adapt to life without their loved one, while maintaining a continued, transformed relationship