GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT
Mariposa House Hospice provides in-house grief and bereavement support to family members and friends of our residents. Whether you are anticipating the death of a loved one or have recently experienced a loss, MHH offers a wholistic approach to supporting individuals and families, focusing on your emotional, physical, mental and spiritual needs. There are a variety of support options available, including one-to-one supportive counselling or group support to help you navigate through your grief journey.
A sudden or prolonged illness can elicit a mix of difficult emotions, both for the individual experiencing the illness and their family and friends. You may have questions about what the future holds. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, confused, sad or angry. These responses are a natural reaction to grief and our Supportive Care Social Worker can help you make sense of what is happening. We are here for you.
TYPES OF SUPPORT
Anticipatory Grief Support – for those living with a palliative diagnosis and planning a hospice admission and for family members/friends who are coping with that transition. Sessions can be arranged at the patient’s home or at the hospice.
Children/Youth Grief Support – individual or group sessions for children aged 4-17 who are anticipating the death of a loved one or have experienced a loss. Programming focuses on providing a safe space for kids to express their grief and discover healthy coping strategies and ways to honour their loved one.
Drop-in 1:1 – no appointment needed, first-come, first-served, for those who would like a little extra comfort and support while visiting a family member or friend at Mariposa House.
Drop-in Groups – weekly or monthly in-person drop-in groups for family members and friends of our residents who would like companionship or emotional support navigating their grief experience. Coffee, tea and light refreshments will be served.
One-to-One Grief Counselling – scheduled sessions with our Supportive Care Social Worker, offering a safe space to share your deepest worries and emotions in confidence. Support is available to family and friends of residents at Mariposa House who are experiencing the death of a loved one. Sessions are structured and solutions-focused, offering participants coping strategies and resources.
Prolonged Grief Therapy – structured therapy sessions for those experiencing complex or prolonged grief, using an evidence-based approach. The treatment model has a specified time frame and targets 6 Healing Milestones, helping grievers learn ways to accept their new reality and restore their wellbeing through gentle guidance. The therapy includes sharing and discussing information about grief and adapting to loss and the use of a series of activities that promote experiential learning along as well.
Spousal Loss Support Group – bi-weekly drop-in group for those who have experienced the death of a spouse. Sessions will focus on offering emotional support and coping strategies while meeting others going through a similar experience. Pre-registration is required.
Structured Groups – 6-week grief support groups for those who have experienced the death of a loved one at Mariposa House in the past 3-6 months, focused on providing grief education and providing a safe place for participants to share their experiences and feelings with others on a similar journey. Facilitated by a registered social worker and trained volunteers.
For more information or to register/book an appointment, please contact our Supportive Care Social Work team at 705-558-2888 x208, by email or by using our Contact form.