Bereavement
Hospice of the Sacred Heart provides Bereavement Support to the patient's family members, caregivers, and friends for approximately one year after the death of the patient.
Since the grieving process is a normal response to loss, every effort is made by the Bereavement Team to offer opportunities for coping with this life changing family event. Because each of us shared a special connection with the deceased, our experience of this loss is as different and as unique as the relationship. It is impossible to predict our response to this absence.
Bereavement support groups meet once a month on a designated date. The Bereavement Program helps survivors to understand the grief process and to learn effective ways of coping with the emotional responses and the common feelings related to the loss of a loved one. Hospice staff members facilitate the bereavement support groups.
Individual bereavement counseling is offered to patient's family members, caregivers, and friends as needed.
Two Ecumenical Memorial Services are held annually.
The first Ecumenical Memorial Service is held in early spring to connect the season of renewed hope with the need for renewed hope that our deceased patient's family members are at peace, freed from their physical pain and suffering.
The second Ecumenical Memorial Service is held during the month of December. Since many major religions observe holy days at this time, the pastoral team endeavors to include those observances in an ecumenical way.
It is the goal of each of these sacred gatherings to bring some peace and consolation to our grieving family members, and in a tangible manner, to remember, honor and celebrate the lives of our deceased patients.