Bereavement Support
"No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear… The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing… There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says…"
(C. S. Lewis, from A Grief Observed, a journal of his thoughts and feelings after the death of his wife, Joy)
When a Loved One Dies
Ultimately, no one can prepare you for your experience of grief and loss. Each person reacts uniquely to the loss of a loved one. Your grief is unique. Your bereavement is your own, and it can feel devastating.
The loss of a loved one can change your life. Even if we believe that we are strong or well-prepared, the feelings of grief can be intense. These feelings are natural – feelings of pain, longing, vulnerability, confusion, sorrow, anxiety, fear, and anger emerge at the time of your loved one's death and often continue for many months.
During this time of grief, you may find relationships changing. Your daily routines and roles may be altered. Your basic assumptions about life may change temporarily, or even permanently. You may face the anxiety and unexpected adventure of reshaping your life. You may not know where to turn for support, care, and help along such an uncharted journey.
How We Help With Grief
The Seasons Hospice team is available to walk with you on your journey through grief and bereavement. We offer a variety of bereavement services, which can include the following:
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Person-to-person support:
We are available for counseling, companionship, or conversation -- whether in person, by phone, e-mail, or postal correspondence, from the time of death to a year after your loved one's death. A personal visit request begins with a simple phone call. -
Memorial services:
Seasons offers a Celebration of Remembrance that is ecumenical and inter-faith in perspective. We focus on remembering the meaning, purpose, and impact of your loved one's life, regardless of religious affiliation. -
Educational support groups:
You'll find that Seasons provides a safe and supportive place for bereaved people to share experiences of loss with each other, to learn from each other about ways to cope and heal, and to form new friendships. -
Written resources:
We have a library of materials available that can help you understand and follow your journey through grief and bereavement.
Who Can Benefit?
- Any family member, partner, friend, or caregiver of a hospice patient may ask for all hospice bereavement services.
- Anyone who has suffered a recent loss may attend our educational support groups.
Bereavement Support Group Upcoming Dates:
A listing of Winter/Spring 2012 grief support group offerings by state, always offered free by Seasons Hospice.
California-Pasadena:
4th Thursday of every month 4 pm, Pasadena Highlands Assisted Living,1575 East Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
RSVP Stephen Peterson at 866.278.7500 or by e-mail at StPeterson@Seasons.org
California-San Diego:
Contact Bereavement Specialist Andrew Sweet at the Seasons San Diego Office, 877-643-0401, for more information or to receive personal assistance.
Delaware:
2nd Tuesday of the month 5:30pm-6:30pm at Foulk Manor N. Nursing Home, 1212 Foulk Road, Wilmington DE 19803
2nd Wednesday of the month 6pm–7pm at Newark Senior Center, 200 White Chapel Drive, Newark, DE 19713
4th Tuesday of the month 4pm-5pm at Christ Episcopal Church, 501 S. State Street, Dover, DE 19901
Florida:
3rd Friday of each month at 7pm-8 pm at Stanton Memorial Baptist Church, 50 N.E. 119 Street, Miami, Fl 33161
Georgia:
3rd Tuesday of each month 6:30pm at Seasons Hospice office, 8560 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite110, Alpharetta, Georgia 30022
Illinois:
2nd Tuesday of each month 6pm-7pm, Holy Cross Hospital- Seasons Hospice Unit, 2710 W. 68th Place, Chicago– 3rd Floor
1st Wednesday of each month 6pm-7:30pm, Weiss Memorial Hospital - Seasons Hospice Unit, 4646 N Marine Drive, Chicago
2nd Thursday of each month 6pm-7:30pm, 1225 West Lake Street, 3rd floor, Elevator A, Melrose Park, IL 60160
Every Thursday, 7:30pm-9pm, Edward Hospital– Education Wing, 801 S. Washington, Naperville, Il. 60540
Indiana:
Every 3rd Monday of the month, 5:30pm-6:30pm Irvington Branch Public Library (Small Conference Room), 5625 E Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46219
1st Thursday of the month, 4pm-5pm Coping with Loss Workshop, Carmel Health and Living (meet in the “Pub”),118 Medical Drive Carmel, IN 46032.
Maryland- Elkton:
1st Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm-8:30 pm at Elkton Care & Rehab, 1 Price Drive, Elkton, MD 21921
3rd Tuesday of every month from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Seasons Hospice office, 253 Lewis Lane, Suite 303, Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Maryland-Glen Burnie:
4th Thursday of each month 6pm–7:30pm, Northwest Hospital: Education Center, 5401 Old Court Road, Randallstown, MD 21133
2nd Wednesday of each month 7pm-8:30pm, Harbor Hospital: Baum Conference Room, 3001 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225
1st Tuesday of each month 5pm–6:30pm, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center: Care Center Conference Room in the John R. Burton Pavilion, 4940 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
3rd Wednesday of each month 6:30pm—8pm, Sinai Hospital, Cancer Institute Conference Room (enter through Main Hospital entrance), 2401 West Belvedere Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215
Massachusetts:
All are welcome but please call 866-670-9449 to register
Every Wednesday, 1pm-2:30pm at Seasons Hospice office, 275 Grove Street, Suite 3-102, Newton, MA 02466
3rd Monday of each month 6pm, Hope Central Church, 85 Seaverns Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA
Michigan:
Every Tuesday from 6:30pm–7:30pm, "Life Beyond Loss", Sinai Grace Hospital, 6071 West Outer Drive, Second Floor M202, Detroit, MI 48235. Contact (313) 966-3452.
1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, two sessions available: 1pm-3pm and 6:45pm-8pm, St. Michael’s Activity Center, 40501 Hayes, Sterling Heights, MI 48312. Contact (586) 247-0020.
Every Wednesday from 6:30pm–7:30pm, April 11 - May 30, Unity of Livonia Church, 28660 5 Mile Road, Livonia, MI 48154.
Every Thursday, from 6pm-7:30pm, May 3 - June 28, Erin Presbyterian Church, 3000 Gratiot Ave., Roseville, MI 48066. Contact: (586) 777-9200.
Pennslvania:
5:30pm-6:30 pm May 21 atPhoenixville YMCA, 400 E. Pothouse Rd., Phoenixville, PA 19460
Texas-Dallas:
2nd Monday of each month, 6pm at Seasons Hospice office, 8610 Greenville Ave. Suite 200, Dallas, TX 75243
Texas-Fort Worth:
3rd Wednesday of each month 3pm Gracepointe Baptist Church, 528 W. Pipeline Rd., Hurst, TX 76053
2nd Tuesday of each month Noon, Vista Ridge United Methodist Church, 2901 Denton Tap Road, Lewisville, TX 75067