Bereavement Services

The Deaconess Bereavement team delivers personal condolence calls to every family we take care of. In addition five mailings are sent to each family receives every three months with information to help them through that particular period of time, as well as information about our grief support groups.

Bereavement Groups and Programs

Meeting dates and times for each of our grief support groups can be found in our quarterly newsletter. Attendance is free and available on a walk-in basis with no registration required.

The Grief Group

Our Bereavement Support Group provides a confidential, comfortable environment where you can learn to navigate the challenges of grief and connect with others who are experiencing a similar journey. Participants have the opportunity to share their experiences, build connections and receive support from others who understand.

Activity Groups

Activity Support Groups offer a relaxed way for people experiencing grief and loss to get out of the house, connect with others and begin finding their way back into the world. Each group centers around a shared activity, creating opportunities to spend time with others who are on a similar journey.

While grief and loss may naturally be part of the conversation, these groups are less structured than traditional grief support groups. The focus is on the activity, connection and simply being together in a welcoming environment.

Lunch Bunch: An activity group that invites people to lunch once a month.
Gamers Group: A group that plays Clabber, dominoes and other games and meets once a week for two hours. All skill levels are welcome.
Craft Group: A group that helps our volunteers make crafts of all kinds for the families of our hospice patients, including crocheted lap blankets for veterans that accompany our Veteran Pinning Ceremonies.
Book/Movie Club: A group that reads a book that has also been made into a movie and discusses the differences between the two forms of art.

Bereavement Programs

Good Grief Patrol: A program that provides support to children who are experiencing grief and loss.
Let’s Talk: A program designed to help people become more comfortable discussing their own mortality and begin having meaningful conversations with family members before they are faced with decisions about hospice care or funeral arrangements.

Annual Memorial Service

An Annual Memorial Service is held every spring. Invitations will be mailed to patients and their families who have received care in the previous 12 months. These invitations will include an RSVP and contact phone number for those looking to attend.

Join Our Mailing List

Deaconess' bereavement team put together five mailings (one every three months) that go to all of our families with information to help them through grieving process. The newsletter includes specific dates and information for each of our groups and programs, as well as additional articles and resources. We recognize that grief is far from linear and takes time and want to be there to support you every step of the way.