Bereavement

Bereavement is a journey for all caregivers, family, and friends and there is no right or wrong way to act during this time. Pike County Hospice is here for you from the time you or your loved one begins hospice care. We are by your side for all stages of the process.

Bereavement Services

At Pike County Hospice we know that everyone deals with grief in their own way. We also know that there is no reason you have to do it alone. Our Bereavement Program offers visits from our Hospice Social Worker for up to 13 months after your loved ones death. Our hospice program also offers what others don’t, and that is In-Person and Online Bereavement Support Groups. These support groups are open to the public free of charge. We strive to assure our bereaved compassion, mutual support, understanding, diversity, integrity and allow our families to feel safe and supported in a nurturing environment.

Online Bereavement Support Group

This support group is via a private facebook group by searching “Journey of Grief” and is administrated by our Hospice Social Worker. Posts can only be seen by approved members but is open to the public.

In-Person Bereavement Support Group

This in-person bereavement support group is held on the first Monday of each month. It is held at 6:00 p.m. in our Community Conference Room (side entrance) and is facilitated by our hospice professionals. Dates and other information regarding this support group will be on our website and our facebook page. We consider this such a fundamental right to all those who are dealing with loss, so it is open to the public and free of charge to anyone who feels they need help in their grieving process; not just as a hospice benefit.

We aim to assist people, without charge, in learning to live with this “new normal” by:

  • Providing a safe space in which to explore grief in whatever ways that works best for the person.
  • Reducing the isolation of bereaved people by facilitating connections with other bereaved people.
  • Normalizing the grief experience.
  • Nurturing the resiliency of people to identify their own inner resources and coping strategies.

We also send out complimentary newsletters titled “Journey’s” that help understand the grieving and bereavement process.

Remembering Our Loved Ones

Annually, Pike County Hospice holds a Hospice Memorial Service. Keeping the memories of our loved ones alive through this memorial service is the intention of the annual event. Families who’s loved ones were on our Hospice services are invited to this service to honor the memories of those we have lost. The service is typically held at the Nazarene Church in Bowling Green, guests in attendance will be served a meal, our Hospice chaplain will speak, and a memorial slide show will be viewed.

 

Bereavement & Grieving Resources

The following resources are some of what we share with our hospice families and want to share with you here. We have numerous paper and video resources on grief and bereavement at our office, if you are interested in viewing please contact us today! 573-324-2111

 

Pike County Hospice Bereavement Program

Letting Yourself Grieve

The Mourners Bill of Rights

 

Helping Children Cope with Loss

The death of a loved one is always difficult. For children, the death of a loved one can affect their sense of security. Like adults, children express loss by grieving. Yet children may not demonstrate the grief in the same manner as adults. Pre-schoolers usually see death as temporary; between the ages of 5 and 9, children begin to experience grief more like adults. General  information and resources for parents, educators and others who may help a child overcome loss are listed here:

Additionally, we have created a mini-bereavement camp for the youth of our community called “Camp Horizon” that focuses on helping children, adolescents and teens find positive ways to cope with the loss of a loved one. Contact us for more information, or follow us on facebook.

 

Books for Children

  • The Dragonfly Door. Adams, John, Feather Rock Books, 2007.
  • When Dinosaurs Die: A Guide to Understanding Death. Brown, Laurie Krasny and Marc Brown, Little, Brown andCompany Publishing, 1996.
  • The Fall of Freddy the Leaf. Buscaglia, Leo, Slack, Inc., 1982. dePaola, Tomie, Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs. Puffin Books, 2000.
  • When Someone Very Special Dies. Heegard, Marge, Woodland Press, 1991.
  • Sad Isn’t Bad: When Someone You Love Dies. Mundy, Michaelene M., Abbey Press Carenotes, 1998.
  • When Bad Things Happen: A Coping Guide for Kids. O’Neal, Ted, Abbey Press Carenotes, 2003.
  • Aarvy Aardvark Finds Hope. O’Toole, Donna, Compassion Press, 1988.
  • Sad Hug, Mad Hug, Happy Hug. Channing L. Bete Co., 1994
  • Tear Soup. Schweibert, Pat, Grief Watch, 2005.
  • Healing Your Grieving Heart for Kids. Wolfelt, Alan D., Companion Press, 2001.

 

Books for Adults Helping Grieving Children

  • 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child. Dougy Center, 1999.
  • Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children. Mellonie, Bryan and Robert Ingpen, Bantam Books, 1983
  • Help Me Say Goodbye: Activities for Helping Kids Cope When a Special Person Dies. Silverman, Janis, Fairview Press, 1999.
  • Healing a Child’s Grieving Heart. Wolfelt, Alan D., Companion Press, 2001.

 

Grieving as an Adult

The loss of a loved one is life’s most stressful event and can cause a major emotional crisis. After the death of someone you love, you experience bereavement, which literally means “to be deprived by death.” We hope that some of the following resources can assist you in your bereavement journey. Below are a list of resources that we have found to be helpful.

  • Willow Green: is a leading provider of information and inspiration in the area of illness and dying, loss and grief, healthy care-giving life transition, and spirituality
  • For Widows: An information and self-help resource for and by widows, and widowers; covers grief, bereavement and recovery
  • Growth House: Offers links to many bereavement sites, including those specializing in diversity
  • AARP:  Widowed Persons Service (800.424.3410)
  • Grief & Loss:  Many great resources from NHPCO website
  • Center for Loss: An organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them
  • The Dougy Center: The National Center for Grieving Children and Families

 

Books for Adults:

  • Understanding Your Grief: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart  by Alan D. Wolfelt
  • A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis