Bereavement Support
Bereavement Support
Managing the feeling of grief can be profoundly difficult and often overwhelming. It can be hard to adapt to life without that person and you may be uncertain about the future.
There is not a right or a wrong way to react; everyone is different. It may not always be easy to talk to friends and family, particularly if they are dealing with their own grief. However, talking about and sharing how you feel with someone not so close to the situation can really help, and this is where we can help.
Our bereavement support services are an essential part of the care we provide for people who are grieving. It is not limited to people who have been cared for by the hospice. Instead, it is available to any family member, friend or carer who has experienced loss within our catchment area.
Understanding Grief
Grief can be both physically and emotionally exhausting, which is why many bereaved people will feel strained and physically run down. Our bereavement support services can help you to understand more about your grief and how to manage your feelings in a healthy way through a variety of support mechanisms.
What are some of the symptoms of grief?
Someone who is grieving may experience some, or all, of the emotional and physical experiences below. These symptoms may not be constant and are likely to ebb and flow over time. Many are normal, however sometimes grief gets ‘stuck’ and disrupts your life and other relationships.
Emotional symptoms may include:
- Shock and the feeling of numbness shortly after the person’s death
- Sadness, with or without tearfulness
- Feeling empty and alone, even when you may be surrounded by people
- Guilt – this can be commonly linked to something you did or did not say, did or did not do, or not having the chance to say goodbye
- Fear – concern over your own mortality or of other people you are very close to; facing life alone; or what the future may bring
- Anger – why did this happen; feeling the need to blame someone else; or getting angry and flaring up at things that wouldn’t normally upset you
Physical effects may include:
- Tiredness and exhaustion
- Poor sleep
- Sickness or a bad stomach
- Loss of appetite or over-eating
- A weaker immune system, giving rise to illness such as coughs and colds
It is normal to feel all these things, and many other feelings besides. If you would like some support in making sense of these feelings, please get in touch through one of our bereavement services.
Bereavement Drop-in Session
Every Tuesday from 10am – 12pm, we hold an in-person bereavement drop-in session at the hospice for anyone over 18 who has experienced bereavement. The sessions are run by trained volunteers and provide a safe, informal and supportive place for people to come together and share their experiences of grief, helping attendees to feel heard and less alone.
The sessions are welcoming and inclusive, whether you want to attend regularly to connect with others in similar situations or just drop in for a quick chat from time to time.
“At the space you’ve suddenly got a licence to share your feelings. It’s just talking. You can come and say nothing, or you can say everything, because it’s okay either way. It has given me the opportunity to talk with people who know exactly what you are going through.”
If you would like to find out more about the session or about volunteering, please get in touch with us by calling 01264 835288 or at info@cobh.org.uk.
Counselling Service
We offer bereavement support in the form of one-to-one therapeutic support through our team of clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, and counsellors. They are compassionate professionals who can listen to you in a safe and confidential space.
We normally offer people six to eight sessions and referrals can be made through our hospice team.
If you would like to know more about this, please call us on 01264 835288 or email us at info@cobh.org.uk.
The Chaplaincy Team
Chaplains offer a compassionate presence, supporting patients, families, visitors and staff during times of emotional or spiritual crisis.
They are available to offer spiritual, religious and emotional support regardless of faith, aiming to come alongside people as they struggle with grief, illness, or their own mortality.
To find out more, please speak to one of our hospice team on 01264 835288.
