Grief is a natural and normal reaction to a loss. Grief support is provided for 13 months to family and friends after the death of a hospice patient. Grief support is made available in a variety of ways because everyone’s grief is unique. The following are some of the educational and support services available in the coming months. Although these services are designed specifically for those bereaved in hospice, anyone who is bereaved in the community may participate in these services. We have designed a program that will meet many kinds of bereavement need, and we are always available for individual consultation.
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Education about Grief
Most people have the family and community support they need to move in a healthy way through their grief. Our bereaved clients have taught us that education about what to expect in the first year after the death of someone they love is helpful. We strive to keep in contact with bereaved families on a regular basis by mail. These letters and grief resources will include information about grief, local opportunities for support and printed books or internet resources that might help guide you in helping yourself and those around you. If you are not on our mailing list and would like to be, just call the bereavement line and we will return your call.
Healing Hearts - Finding Hope
Monthly Grief Support for the Whole Family
Families with children ages 4-12 are welcome to join us for this program. We will schedule an appointment for you with Lynn Lane, LCSW, or one of our other facilitators for a consultation interview. We provide dinner at 6:00 pm for registered families. From 6:30 to 7:30 we have family communication activities and break-out sessions with age appropriate activities for the children and education and support for adults.
We can only enroll eight (8) families per session, so please call to register each month.
To register call the Bereavement Line at 912-267-5462.
Compassionate Friends
Bereaved families that have experienced the death of a child have an opportunity to meet with others on a regular basis who have endured similar losses. Compassionate Friends is a national self-help organization for families that have had a child die. For more information about local chapter meetings, call Pat McCord at Hospice of the Golden Isles, 912-265-4735. For information about the national organization, call toll-free 877-969-0010 or visit www.compassionatefriends.org on the Web.
Second Monday of the Month from 6:00 - 8:00pm, at Hospice of the Golden Isles Bereavement Center
“Family and Grief” Workshops
When someone dies, the whole family grieves. Each person had a different kind of relationship with the person who died and each family member will grieve in their own unique way. These workshops are for individuals and the whole family. We will talk about ways to be supportive of each other on our grief journey. The workshop will be facilitated by bereavement staff. Participants will have opportunities to share and learn from each other. Children ages 5 - 7 are welcome to attend with family and participate in a special break-out session designed for their age group.
Family Memorial Services
These memorial services follow the “Family and Grief” Workshops. The service will include a time of story telling, readings, music and ways for participants to honor their loved ones. We encourage everyone to participate at whatever level they feel most comfortable. Help us prepare a unique table of remembrance by bringing something special to place on the memorial table. Bring a
favorite flower, picture, sheet of music, book, letter, drawing or poem that reminds you of your loved one. By placing these special items on the table and making them a part of the table of remembrance we enhance everyone’s experience during the service.