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Grief Support Services

Helping You Cope with Loss

Ongoing grief and bereavement support is an important part of the care provided by Hospice of Huntington from the beginning. While the majority of our bereavement services are directed toward the grieving family, we recognize that our patients are also grieving. They struggle daily with loss of independence, control, and physical functions; in addition, patients experience anticipatory grief around the loss of those relationships so important to them, and ultimately their own lives. Team members including your nurse, social worker, certified nursing assistant, volunteer and spiritual support counselor are always willing to talk with you about your thoughts and feelings. While loss and separation are part of life, death is the most painful separation of all. The permanence of the loss is perhaps the hardest thing to accept. Hospice of Huntington offers a full range of bereavement services to our families, including:

Mailings

Cards, letters, and information flyers are sent to express our sympathy and to invite family members to participate in various aspects of our bereavement program. These are mailed to the family or primary caregiver periodically for thirteen months. Some letters offer practical suggestions for coping, while others recognize the most difficult times such as holidays and anniversaries. A self-assessment report card is sent so that every family has an opportunity to rate their own progress in the bereavement process and return it to us to access additional support if needed.

Support Groups

These bereavement groups for adults, teens and children are led by trained facilitators at various times throughout the year at different locations in our service area. Each group provides practical information and an opportunity to share experiences for mutual support. Since dates and locations change, and we frequently add new groups, please contact us for the latest schedule. All groups are available to Hospice of Huntington families and members of the community at no charge.

Individual and Family Grief Counseling

Some people do not feel comfortable sharing in a group and would prefer bereavement counseling with our Grief Support Counselors who are specially trained and licensed professionals. This service is available to Hospice of Huntington families and members of the community. Please call our Bereavement Department at (304) 529-4217 for more information.

Remembrance Services

It is important to remember and honor your loved ones. Hospice of Huntington hosts memorial services throughout our five-county service area to honor and remember those patients who have died during the year. Staff, volunteers, and families gather for readings, poetry, music, and other meaningful rituals of remembrance. The reading of names of deceased loved ones is an especially important and moving experience.

“Light-A-Life” Memorial Tree

The holiday season of November and December can be especially difficult for grieving families. To recognize and remember your loved one, Hospice of Huntington displays holiday trees in several locations in our service area. The trees, symbolizing eternal life, are adorned with a symbolic paper candle to honor a loved one throughout the holiday season.

Community Education Seminars

Hospice of Huntington provides a variety of relevant workshops that help famiies cope with the loss of a loved one, including special topics such as “Cooking for One” and personal safety Life Skills classes. Please contact us for more information.

Reading Lists

Some individuals do not find groups or counseling beneficial, and may learn from and gain comfort from books, pamphlets, and other reading material on grief, loss, and transition. Hospice of Huntington has a recommended reading list of books for adults and children. Please ask your social worker or call (304) 529-4217 for details.

Bereavement Support for Families of Hospice Patients

Hospice of Huntington’s care embraces both patient and family. Prior to and following the death of a significant person in their lives, families receive assistance through the grieving process by our bereavement counselors as part of their covered hospice benefit. Families receive visits, phone calls, cards and letters during a 13-month bereavement period and are offered the opportunity for counseling sessions and memorial services to ease their path through the grieving process.

Free Support Groups

Hospice of Huntington offers a variety of grief support groups. There is no charge to attend. Hospice of Huntington offers the following sessions for support:

Introduction to Grief: For the Newly Bereaved

Learn about the effects of grief. Includes video presentation & overview of grief responses

The Grief Journey

Explore ways of coping with changes following the death of a loved one

Loss of a Child

Addresses grief issues surrounding a child’s death

Transitions

Open to those who completed “The Grief Journey” or have met with a bereavement counselor

Monthly Grief Sessions

Covers issues related to the experience of grief

Remembrance Services

Offers an opportunity to honor the memory of a loved one who has died

Coping with the Holidays

Explores challenges and offers tips on making it through the difficult end-of-year holiday season for anyone coping with a loss

Camp Good Grief

Grief SupportChildren need special care and attention in their grieving process. Each year in late Spring/early Summer, we host Camp Good Grief, a bereavement camp for children ages 8 to16 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Our professional staff provides information on the unique grief process as it relates to children, using a combination of group discussions and a host of relevant activities, games and exercises, as well as individual counseling and support. The camp is one of learning, fun and enjoyment.

This multi-day, overnight camp experience is offered free of charge, thanks to the generous support of the community and those who support our fundraising efforts. For more information about Camp Good Grief, please call our Bereavement Department at (304) 529-4217 or 1 (800) 788-5480.

Camp Good Grief Family Retreat

This one-day event held in the Fall gives families an opportunity to learn how to support each other and cope with their grief.  Our staff and other professionals will facilitate activites and sessions for adults, teens and children to participate both individually and as a family.  This year's retreat will be held on Saturday, October 1 from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm at Camp Ona, Howells Mill Road, Ona WV.  For more information about Camp Good Grief Family Retreat, please call our Bereavement Department at (304) 529-4217 or 1 (800) 788-5480.