Grief & Bereavement Support

Bereavement refers to the state of loss, after a death. Bereavement support includes information and services that help people manage the emotions associated with grief. Support can often include services, treatments and care that assist people with physical, emotional and spiritual changes that are related to a death or loss.

Leading up to the death of a loved one, and afterwards, you may experience grief. While each person’s experience of grief is unique, these 10 thoughts may be helpful to know as you are grieving:

Grief affects your entire life.
Grief is a natural process.
Everyone grieves differently.
Your social connections may change.
Children grieve too.
Grief can change you.
The grieving process is unpredictable.
Grieving has no timeline.
Self-care is all-important.
Grief can be a spiritual journey of healing.

There are different types of support available to assist you with grieving. No one kind of support is better than another. There is no rule for which kind of support you should have at any particular time. Needs are extremely personal and based on a variety of circumstances. Some people may find that being outside in nature is helpful; others reach out to their social network for comfort and support; and others prefer to meet with a professional to assist with their emotions surrounding loss. You may find that your needs for support change over time.

Support options:

1. Grief education and resources:

This includes information you can access on your own.

http://www.virtualhospice.ca/

Anticipatory Grief

Coping with challenges

Holidays Celebrations and Special Days

Understanding your emotions

Understanding your grief

Why is grief so difficult

2. Peer support:

This refers to interaction with volunteers through in-person, telephone or on-line support; peer matching programs; home visits; social events; information sessions and support groups.

Ottawa

Renfrew County:

North Grenville/North Lanark:

Eastern Counties:

3. Specialist bereavement services:

These services involve referrals to qualified mental health professionals such as bereavement counsellors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and in some cases trained bereavement volunteers. Services may include individual, family or group counselling.