Bereavement Groups in the Hospice Program

Abstract

This article reviews the nature of the therapeutic activity in bereavement groups--the rationale behind offering them in a hospice program for the general public--and then looks specifically at bereavement programs offered at Hospice House in Portland, Oregon. It covers eligibility, attendance, issues, methods used to consolidate the groups, blending of new members, and specifies the types of groups involved. Further, it explores the formation of a city-wide bereavement network, formed to provide mutual support for facilitators and counselors to exchange ideas, shape continuing education, encourage cross-referral and avoid duplication.

A National Survey of Hospice Bereavement Services

“…Over the years, a number of innovative hospice bereavement programs have been reported in the literature, including those with special support groups for grieving children, the formation of city-wide bereavement networks, the use of volunteers such as widows, grief recovery and anticipatory grief seminars, ongoing bereavement support and social support groups, volunteer speakers' bureau, and volunteer staffed bereavement teams (Aldrich, 1995;Buell & Bevis, 1989;Dawson, 1981;Harding & Southern, 1991;Hoffman, 1997).…”