Bereavement Services

Although grief is the natural response to loss, when someone important to us has died, the grief can feel overwhelming. We are mourning not only the loss of the person, but the loss of the relationship and everything connected to that person. We understand that grieving can take many forms. Each person’s grief process is unique, depending on the personal relationship you had with your loved one and your life experiences. Your grief is personal but you do not have to grieve alone.

At Hospice of Westchester we offer a wide range of Bereavement Services and memorial events. Professional bereavement care is offered to all members of the community in addition to our patient families. Our bereavement program operates primarily on funds from contributions and grants. Your support is deeply appreciated.

Bereavement Services

Support Groups

Participation in a support group has been shown to be one of the best ways to help those who are grieving the death of a loved one. People who have experienced similar losses are brought together in an environment of safety, care, and compassion. These peer groups can help you realize that while the feelings you are experiencing are uniquely yours, they may follow a similar path to that of others. In this supportive setting, you will be able to understand and work through your grief while becoming connected to others with a similar loss.

All of our support groups are facilitated by licensed professionals with experience in grief counseling. Groups are loss-specific, and are repeated every few months. An assessment is required for group participation. Current groups are:

Adult loss of Parent - 8 weeks
Loss of Spouse or Life Partner – 10 weeks
Flying Solo – for women who have been widowed for at least one year, with the focus on adapting to both challenges and opportunities in their new lives. - 12 weeks.
Coping with the Holidays - November Workshop- Coping with Holiday Grief

Spouse/Partner Loss Groups

Loss of Parent Groups

Flying Solo Groups

Individual Bereavement Counseling

Individual Bereavement Counseling – Individual counseling is often suggested during the early stages of grief. Counseling is available to hospice families and community members after a required assessment. Bereavement coordinators are available to help you through what can be a difficult transition after losing a loved one.

Prolonged Grief Therapy – Hospice of Westchester is pleased to offer Prolonged Grief Therapy on a limited basis. This 16-week therapy can help those who have thoughts, feelings and behaviors that are preventing them from moving forward in their lives after a loss. Acute grief is a normal human emotion, but it should be transitory, and when it becomes chronic and debilitating, the people experiencing it may need mental health treatment. Please see the following link to find out more about Prolonged Grief.

Learn More About Prolonged Grief Therapy

Special Workshops & Events

Coping with the Holidays — Holiday time can be challenging when grieving. We offer an annual workshop to provide support and suggestions to help you through Thanksgiving and the Winter Holiday Season. You can choose to attend a workshop either in November or in December. Please call for days and times.
Memorial Butterfly Release — A Celebration of Life Gathering — For many years Hospice of Westchester has held an annual memorial service for both our hospice families and the community. Memorial Butterfly Releases are held each Spring. This Ceremony provides an opportunity to honor our loved ones with the release of a monarch butterfly.