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Bereavement Support & Resources

The Mission Hospice Society offers a number of bereavement programs and resources to Mission and area residents.

• Support Programs
• Resources

There is no cost for any of our support groups or one-to–one support but pre-registration is required. Please contact our Bereavement Coordinator at kthompson@missionhospice.bc.ca or phone 604-826-2235 for additional information or to register for any of the programs below.

Support Programs

Support for Patients & Families

Living with a terminal illness can be intense and often stressful. There is no right or wrong way to take this journey. Sometimes patients and families find that additional support helps ease some of the burdens and stress. Hospice support is free, and is not meant to replace the supports already in place from friends and family.

Hospice volunteers are compassionate and committed people from the community who care about people and about hospice. They have taken an intensive training course. They have no agenda but to support the patient and family, and will respect and honour their beliefs, their values and their privacy.

Volunteer Support in the Christine Morrison Hospice

For those patients and families who spend time at the Christine Morrison Hospice, volunteers are on hand mornings, afternoons and evenings, seven days a week, to provide whatever support is needed. 24-hour vigil support is also available: volunteers can provide continuous support in the final day or two of life.

See more information about the Christine Morrison Hospice.

One-to-One Support

A hospice volunteer may be assigned to support an individual patent and / or the patient's family, whether a patient is at home, in hospital, in a long-term care facility or in the hospice, There are a number of ways that a hospice volunteer visitor can help. It is up to the patient and family to decide what kind of support they would like from a volunteer, and how often and when they would like him or her to visit.

Summer 2011 Grief Information and Support Group for Adults

This weekly grief support group offers emotional support to all who have experienced a significant loss in their lives. Click here for full brochure.

Pathways Adult Grief Support Group

It's not easy to understand or accept the death of someone we love. A grief support group is a group of people who come together to help each other through their grief journey. Some of the benefits of attending can include connecting with others who have gone through a similar situation, associating with people who will listen without judgment, new ideas to help you cope and heal, time to share memories of the person who died, and understanding what responses are natural and normal during grieving. See our Pathways Adult Grief Support Group flyer (PDF) for more information.

Women's Support Groups

The Mission Hospice Society hosts an ongoing weekly "Tea & Company" support for women who have recently lost a spouse. In addition, the MHS hosts "The Next Step", ongoing support for women rebuilding their lives after losing a spouse. See our Tea & Company flyer (PDF) for more information.

Men's Coffee Group - For Men Grieving the Loss of a Loved One

The world may not see you as the bereaved person that you are. Because of your gender, in our society, you may be seen primarily as a support person- a role you probably play very well.

People may mistakenly tell you to be strong or may tell you that you are strong for holding it in. Don't confuse grieving with weakness and not grieving with strength. Holding in grief is very hard on the body and can make you physically ill.

When men experience loss, they often get overlooked. When others fail to acknowledge their losses, men tend to feel isolated, misunderstood and compelled to keep their grief a secret. Come join us for a time of discussion and support.

Monthly Grief Support Potluck

Great food, company and conversation for all bereavement program participants.

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Resources

Information, Education & Referral to Resources & Services

In a new and bewildering situation, it can be hard to get the needed information and gain access to needed resources. Hospice staff and volunteers can help families get the information and resources that they need.

A support person or family member may request the book Final Gifts, to help them understand what may happen as illness progresses. The Society also maintains an extensive library, with books and videos on many topics to help in situations of serious illness and grief.

Mission Hospice Society Library

Our library shelves are full of books and videos covering a wide variety of topics on subjects related to death, dying, illness, bereavement, health, well-being and spirituality. Items may be checked out of our library by any member of the community.

Call 604-826-2235 to arrange to come and browse the library.

Links

Web Resources

• GriefWorks: resources for children, teens and adults
• Hospice Net: for patients and families facing life threatening illness
• Living Lessons: information about hospice palliative care

Local Hospice Societies

• Abbotsford Hospice Society
• Burnaby Hospice Society
• Chilliwack Hospice Society
• Crossroads Hospice Society
• Delta Hospice Society
• Fraser Canyon Hospice Society
• Langley Hospice Society
• Ridge Meadows Hospice Society
• Surrey Hospice Society
• White Rock Hospice Society