Grief Support
The grief process is very personal and our programs help family members move toward an appropriate grief response and adjust to a loss. Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie offers grief support to all family members for 13 months following the death of a patient.
Finding comfort and support can include the following services:
- Individualized grief counseling – in your home, or at Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie
- Mailings to aid in the healing process
- An annual remembrance service
- Group support services
- Counseling specifically for children who are grieving
Grief is a normal response of emotions, thoughts and behaviors that follow the loss of someone or something important to you. There is no wrong way to grieve unless it causes pain to yourself, or others.
Grief is a natural part of life, it is very personal, and the process should take however long it takes for you to get through it. Don’t let people tell you how you’re supposed to feel. Sometimes you may not feel anything at all, but once the shock wears off, you may find yourself experiencing any number of emotions. Again, there is no wrong way to grieve.
Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie’s bereavement support to families begins with the first patient encounter. Our team members become extended members of our patient’s family early on. This enables us to be a stronger support system for the family as the illness progresses. Our patients are comforted in knowing we will be there to care for their families as they transition to life after loss.
We have become recognized as the primary community resource on grief counseling and bereavement by offering community support groups, grief camps for children and teens, and individual counseling sessions to those adjusting to life after loss.
Support Groups
Bereavement support groups offer participants a safe, caring environment where they can work toward healthful healing. Community groups are offered free of charge to anyone in our area who has experienced the loss of a loved one.
Support groups meet monthly throughout the year, and include groups for parents who have lost a child; groups for those who have lost a spouse; groups designed to give you ideas for coping with holidays, birthdays or other signal events.
Joining in a support group can help you understand–and hopefully come to terms with–the grief process that we all have to work through at times of great loss. These programs can connect you with others experiencing similar losses; you will learn that your feelings of grief are normal. As you give and receive support, we hope you will find continued meaning in life.
One of our support group participants confirmed this by saying, “Being able to share my grief with others has given me hope that my life will get better.”
Camp Forget-Me-Not
Camp Forget-Me-Not is a free bereavement day camp for children ages 6-17 and their parents/guardians who have experienced a death. Children do not need to have had a loved one served by Hospice of Stanly in order to participate in Camp Forget-Me-Not.
The camp experience is designed to assist children in coping with death and loss while enjoying a variety of recreational activities. In addition to the exciting activities at camp, children have the opportunity to share their feelings through art, music, crafts and group discussions.
Hospice grief counselors work with parents/guardians to provide a safe environment for the expression of feelings and help the children learn to move forward despite their loss.The goal of camp is to assist children and their families in learning better ways to cope with the loss of a loved one.
Camp Forget-Me-Not is held in May each year.
Candlelight Memorial
Once a year families come together to remember and honor their loved ones. Held at a community facility, Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie leads a service to remember and reflect on our loved ones.
Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie remains committed to helping bereaved families heal from their loss and find hope for the future. It is our privilege and blessing to serve these families and walk the path of grief together.
For additional information about how Hospice of Stanly & the Uwharrie can provide grief support please contact: Janna Spurr or Michaele Conners at 704-983-4216, ext 133 or 112
