Bereavement Services Program

Hospice of the Sacred Heart provides Bereavement Support to the patient’s family members, caregivers, and friends for approximately one year after the death of the patient.

Since the grieving process is a normal response to loss, every effort is made by the Bereavement Team to offer opportunities for coping with this life changing family event. Because each of us shared a special connection with the deceased, our experience of this loss is as different and as unique as the relationship. It is impossible to predict our response to this absence.

Bereavement support groups meet on a regular basis at our Center for Education. The Bereavement Program helps survivors to understand the grief process and to learn effective ways of coping with the emotional responses and the common feelings related to the loss of a loved one. Hospice staff members facilitate the bereavement support groups.

Individual bereavement counseling is offered to patient’s family members, caregivers, and friends as needed.

Two Interfaith Memorial Services are held annually.

The first Interfaith Memorial Service is held in early spring to connect the season of renewed hope with the need for renewed hope that our deceased patient’s family members will be at peace, freed from their physical pain and suffering.

The second Interfaith Memorial Service is held during the month of December. Since many major religions observe holy days at this time, the pastoral team endeavors to include those observances in an ecumenical way.

It is the goal of each of these sacred gatherings to bring some peace and consolation to our grieving family members, and in a tangible manner, to remember, honor and celebrate the lives of our deceased patients.

The Dragonfly Program is especially designed for children and their parents. The main focus is teaching coping skills and furthering the parents’ ability to help their children.

Our grief education series, titled “Life Has Changed,” is a free six-week program for widows and widowers. This series offers education and emotional support around the process of grief and mourning. The goal is to help participants with the adjustment to the loss of their partner.

Please contact us at 706-2400 for additional information about our ongoing programs.

Hospice of the Sacred Heart is also committed to bringing bereavement support to members of our community. Even if your loved one was not a patient of ours, we can still offer the support for you and your family.