Services
Grief Support
Children & Teen Support Services
The death of a loved one is a life-changing event filled with difficult challenges for every family member. Hospice of Petaluma and Memorial Hospice offer counseling, support groups, special events, information and education to support the needs of children and teens during this important time.
- Children’s Grief Relief Group – Talk, play and create art with other elementary school-age children who have experienced the death of a family member or friend.
- Older Kids Grief Relief Group – An activities group for young people ages 10-14 for friendship and support through the normal process of grief.
- Parent Support Group – Parents of children attending our grief groups meet regularly for support.
- Grief Support Groups – eight weekly sessions co-facilitated by two trained grief support volunteers. Separate groups are held for children, teens, and adults.
Special Events
- “I remember when…” – a kids’ circle ceremony of stories and music. Young people, aged 6-13, are invited to participate in a wonderful gathering to remember a family member or close friend who has died. All are welcome even if the death happened a long time ago and few memories remain. First Sunday in March.
- Still My Parent: Kids Remembering Parents Who Have Died – an Outdoor fair of meaningful and fun activities to honor parents who have died recently or many years ago. First Sunday in June, between Mother’s and Father’s Day.
- Dìa de los Muertos – November 2 – A traditional Latin American day of remembrance and honoring of relatives and friends who have died.
School Services
- Educational Presentations – hospice staff and trained volunteers offer informational presentations on grief and loss for classrooms, for parents, for teachers and other caring adults.
- On-Site Groups – Hospice of Petaluma and Memorial Hospice staff will lead grief support groups in schools for children and teens who are grieving a death or anticipating the death of a family member or friend.
- Crisis Intervention – We join with other community agencies to provide grief support when a student, teacher or staff member dies suddenly.