Services
Grief Support
— a Hospice Family comment
Overview
What are Hospice Grief Support Services?
Hospice views grief as a normal process that can be accompanied by fear, loneliness and uncertainty. Grief Support Services are designed to provide support, education and socialization to individuals through one-to-one contact and support groups.
- Counseling for individuals, couples, families, teens and children
- One-to-one grief support consultation by the Hospice grief support staff or interns at the Hospice office.
- Grief support visits by trained grief support volunteers.
- Grief Support Groups – eight weekly sessions co-facilitated by two trained grief support volunteers. Separate groups are held for children, teens, and adults.
- Books, pamphlets and other materials about grief and loss.
- Referral to other community agencies that help with grief–related issues and problems.
- Educational presentations on grief-related subjects.
Who Receives Hospice Care?
Grief services, in English and Spanish, are available to individuals and families living in Sonoma County.
How Can Follow-up Grief Support Help You?
- By making available a trusted and compassionate person who can be with you to listen to your concerns.
- By providing education about the grieving process and what feelings you might experience during your period of bereavement.
- By teaching new ways to cope with the stress of loss and grief.
- By providing help in becoming involved in a new life, seeking out new support persons, groups and activities.
- By simply knowing someone is available in time of need, you may feel relieved and more secure about your situation.
What Can You Do to Help Yourself?
- Sharing your thoughts and ideas out loud can often help you in understanding and coping with your loss.
- Discussing painful feelings such as despair, anger or guilt is a way to reduce their intensity.
- Reminiscing about your loved one will help you create a balance between their life and their death.
- Discussing with someone the changes you are experiencing in your life may ease the transition of a new beginning.
How Much Do Grief Support Services Cost?
There is no cost for Hospice Grief Support Services. For the past 30 years, Hospice of Petaluma and Memorial Hospice have made a commitment to provide caring and compassionate end of life care for the residents of Sonoma County. Requests for our services continue to grow as more patients and families realize the benefits of Hospice care and our extensive grief support services. Last year we cared for 3,550 patients and family members. Our Grief Services, Volunteer Services, Community Education and care for uninsured individuals are supported solely by donations and fundraising.
How Do You Contact Hospice for Grief Support Services?
The Hospice offices are located at:
Hospice of Petaluma
416 Payran Street, Petaluma
(707) 778-6242
Memorial Hospice
821 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa
(707) 568-1094.
The offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Ask for Grief Support Services information.