HOSPICE INSPIRIS - Bereavement Services

	Bereavement Services Include

Grieving the death of a loved one can be a painful and lonely experience. When the death of someone close occurs, there is often an expectation to suppress negative feelings and "get on with life." This can lead to further pain and isolation. Individuals grieve in different ways. The way we express grief is influenced by the circumstances of the death, the relationship with the deceased and how we have dealt with difficult life experiences. Healing can occur when we allow ourselves to actively participate in the grief process by identifying and understanding the feelings that arise. Support groups and educational classes about the grieving process can reduce the sense of isolation that accompanies a loss. They provide an opportunity to share experiences, thought and feelings with others who are in similar situations. Grief is normal, natural, and necessary and the grief journey is a process, not an event. Because we care, HOSPICE INSPIRIS provides grief education and bereavement services to our families and the community. HOSPICE INSPIRIS offers a comprehensive thirteen month follow-up program to all family members and loved ones of the departed.

Bereavement Services Include

• Informational Mailings: Bi-monthly newsletters and other mailings that focus on grief and support are mailed to bereaved families for 13 months following the death of the patient.
• Support Groups: Groups are available throughout the year at various locations in the valley. Groups are facilitated by trained professionals and will focus on: widows, widowers, any adult who has suffered a significant loss (parent, spouse, child, sibling, friend); support groups also provide information to family and friends on how to be supportive to bereaved persons. In service support is provided for those in the care-giver professions. All groups are open to the community.
• Lending Library: Books and resources on loss, grief, and bereavement are available for family members. The collection includes books for children.
• Staff Support: Support is offered to bereaved families through outreach phone calls, visits and referrals.
• Workshops: Workshops are held to provide information and coping strategies for dealing with grief and loss. All workshops are open to anyone in the community.
• Remembrance Service: A non-denominational service is held prior to the traditional holiday season to commemorate the lives of Hospice patients who have died during the year. Bereaved HOSPICE INSPIRIS families are invited to participate in celebrating the lives of their loved ones.