Hospice

Bereavement services: Caring in times of loss
Halifax Regional Hospice understands how important it is for family members to be able to express their feelings following the loss of a loved one.

Grief is a natural reaction to loss and is to be expected due to our attachment to a person during his or her lifetime. Grieving cannot be measured in time and, quite possibly, may be the most difficult task an individual will ever attempt.

Halifax Regional Hospice offers family members bereavement support for up to 13 months after the death of a loved one. Volunteers are specially trained to offer families emotional, physical, mental and spiritual support and are available for home visits and telephone calls.

R.I.S.E. program

Resource Information Sessions of Encouragement (R.I.S.E) are designed for individuals and families experiencing grief. Monthly meetings provide support, encouragement and practical information for individuals whose roles have changed and who are faced with navigating previously unknown territory, including finances, safety, household issues, loneliness and lifestyle change.

Topics include:

Now What? An explanation of grief, what to expect, what is normal and how to get through it.
On My Own Basic information for living alone, including how to balance a checkbook, home safety, how to pump gas and cooking for one.
Holidays are Hard Help in remembering the good times and hints on building new traditions.
Can I Cry Now? The spirituality of grieving, a safe place to cry. (Panel discussion.)
Memories Matter Journaling your experience. How and why it helps.
Good Grief Recognizing how far you’ve come, giving yourself permission to smile.
My Job Is Over Ideas for caregivers to find new purposes and challenges for themselves.
Alone vs. Loneliness Know the difference, be prepared, what helps.
Change is Good Learn to embrace change, make some changes for yourself and answer the question “Is everything going to change?”
On My Way New beginnings; I can do this. What am I really afraid of?
I Like Me Identifying and encouraging the positives; counting blessings.
I Want to Help Opportunities to serve and how to give back.

Meetings are held on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 1:00-3:00 p.m. in the Leggett Auditorium at Halifax Regional Hospital.

Although every person deals with grief differently, there are phases of grief that people commonly experience. Halifax Regional Hospice can guide and support you through these stages:

Shock. Shock is often your first reaction to loss. No matter how prepared you think you are, the loss of a loved one leaves an immediate void.

Numbness. After the initial shock of the loss, many people experience a sense of numbness as they are forced to deal with funeral preparations.

Fantasy vs. reality. It takes time to associate things, people, events and the delicate routines of life with the harsh reality of your loss.

Acceptance of reality. As the reality of the loss sinks in, many people experience feelings of exhaustion, helplessness and depression.

Selective memory. You begin to adjust to living in a world without your loved one, but objects and places often trigger memories that remind you of your loss.

Recovery. As you recover from the loss, you discover a new purpose in life and begin to recommit yourself to your goals and dreams.

For more information on bereavement care contact:
Jeaux Simmons, Hospice Bereavement Coordinator
Halifax Regional Hospice
2204 Wilborn Avenue
South Boston, VA 24592
(434) 517-3967
1-800-423-1276