Bereavement Services

Grief following the death of a loved one is a normal, healthy and necessary process. The process is different for everyone and there is no "right way" to grieve. Increasing one's understanding of the natural grief and mourning process may make the experience less overwhelming.

Grief is painful. Ultimately, there is no way around it, only through it. Our hospice bereavement services are open to the community and help people make this transition and adjust to their new life. Services are provided by hospice staff and volunteers trained in grief and loss. If you are concerned about your or someone else's reactions to grief, our bereavement counselors are always here to help.

Please call us at 860-848-5699 or e-mail our bereavement department at bnl@hospicesect.org.

Bereavement Services for Families

• Bereavement Support Groups are held in a variety of locations throughout the local community. Groups for loss of spouse, parent or child, expressive arts for children and teens, loss of loved one to suicide, loss of loved one to Alzheimer's Disease, loss of a pet and coping with loss over the holidays.
• Widow/Widowers Support Service (hospice families only)
• A grief and bereavement library
• Referrals for professional counseling as indicated
• Home visits (Hospice families only)
• Office visits and periodic phone contact
• Bereavement volunteers assigned to caregiver and/or family members during the thirteen months following the death (hospice families only)
• Assistance in accessing community resources if needed

Bereavement Groups

Hospice Southeastern Connecticut offers on going and specific grief-support groups to anyone in New London County who has lost a loved one. Some groups meet for six weeks, and others meet once or twice monthly, depending on the topic. Group members discuss the ongoing tasks of adjusting to a new way of life and will learn effective ways to cope with the stress of loss. Groups meet in a supportive and non-threatening atmosphere at various locations throughout southeastern Connecticut. All bereavement support groups are open to Hospice Southeastern Connecticut family members as well as to all community members. All bereavement support groups are free of charge. Please call 860-848-5699 to pre-register.

Adults Grieving the Loss of a Pet

Support groups are forming for anyone grieving the loss of a beloved pet. Please join Hospice Southeastern Connecticut in a safe setting for mourning the loss of your pet. Meet other pet lovers, and learn how to cope with this very special, but often overlooked, time of grief. Facilitated by a trained grief professional.
Free of charge, Pre-registration is required. Please call 860.848.5699.

Click here for Current Grief Support Schedule >>