Peer Grief Support Walking Group. Have you experienced a death of a loved one and need a safe place to walk your grief journey? Come walk...
Request support from our Grief and Bereavement Team
Grief & Bereavement
North Okanagan Hospice Society offers a range of compassionate and professional counselling services for individuals and families facing life-limiting illness, death and bereavement.
The following services are available to residents of the North Okanagan as well as Hospice House clients and families.
Support Before Death – Anticipatory Grief Services
Our Resident Care Worker is available to support individuals and families working through grief from the time following a palliative diagnosis leading up to the death of someone significant in their life.
For more information on our grief and bereavement services, contact Felicia O’Gorman at 778-475-9180 (direct line)
“The grief counselling that my family has received and is receiving has been invaluable to us to overcome our loss. Without it we would have been truly lost.”
Upcoming Events
Jun 06 2023
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Walk with Me
Polson Park
Jun 08 2023
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Walk with Me
Polson Park
Jun 13 2023
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Walk with Me
Polson Park
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Support Following a Death – Bereavement Services
Our Grief and Bereavement Counsellor is available to assist individuals and families working through grief following the death of someone significant in their life.
For more information on our grief and bereavement services, contact Felicia O’Gorman at 250-503-1800 ext. 121 or email [email protected]Â
Counselling
- We offer one-to-one grief and bereavement counselling support at Hospice House or remotely when appropriate.
- Due to COVID-19, there is a screening prior to accessing in-person one-to-one counselling in-house.
- As of January 1, 2022, the suggested fee donation for one-to-one counselling is $50 per session.
- One-to-one grief counselling is available by appointment. Anyone can refer counselling clients to us.
Please note that we serve all ages, who experience loss due to death and who do not experience complex mental health and/or concurrent issues.
Walking Group
We have a weekly walking group for bereaved individuals that meets every Thursday at Polson Park in Vernon from 10:00 – 11:00 AM. Everyone is welcome. To learn more, contact [email protected].
Community Gatherings
Celebrate-A-Life Memorial
This gathering happens every November during the Festival of Crafts Christmas craft show. During this festival, Celebrate-A-Life volunteers provide support to those who find the Christmas season difficult due to the death of a loved one and to re-connect with individuals who have already benefited from our support. It is also an opportunity to provide information to those who might not be aware of our grief and bereavement services. Participants at the Christmas Craft Fair are encouraged to hang an angel on the Christmas tree as an expression of remembrance of their loved one.
Holiday Transitions
A special service every December provides an opportunity for the bereaved to find support over the holidays. The service is conducted by our Grief and Bereavement Counsellor and Resident Care Worker. The service includes a memorial service honouring loved ones, and an educational component providing information on how to manage all holidays and anniversaries – not just Christmas. Grief pamphlets are available for participants. This service is available to all members of the community.
Children’s Grief and Loss Group
This is an activity-based group for children, ages 8 to 11, who have experienced a loss of a significant person in their life. It will run on Wednesdays, for six sessions, and will provide opportunities to process grief through art, craft, and play.
One parent/caregiver session will be held, to provide information and guidance on how to support children through their grief outside of the group.
Led by a Hospice counsellor and a trained volunteer, sessions will run as follows:
- Wednesdays, April 26th, 2023 to May 31st, 2023
- Polson Park (meet at the band shelter), 3:45 – 5:00pm
- Monday, May 31st, 2023, parent/caregiver virtual session from 5:15 – 6:00pm
For questions or to register, contact:
Felicia O’Gorman, MC, CCC
Grief and Bereavement Counsellor
778-475-9180 | [email protected]
Art of Grief
The Art of Grief is for those who are bereaved. This is a safe space to explore your grief through the use of different art mediums. It is appropriate for bereaved people with all levels of experiences in art. Each week you will explore a new style or medium of art. This group is now closed (registration complete).
Finding My Way
Finding My Way: Coping with Grief group sessions are held twice annually, in the spring and fall.
Watch our website here for our next group session information in Spring 2023.
- Session dates and times vary throughout the year. Please fill out the contact form at the top of this page and you will be added to the list to be included when the next group is scheduled.Â
- The group provides a safe place for adults experiencing grief due to the death of a loved one. Participants will be introduced to the definitions of grief and mourning, discuss ways that grief affects people differently, and identify ways of getting through a time of loss and transition.
- All interested individuals will be invited to meet with the Grief and Bereavement Counsellor prior to registering for the group to determine their current needs and readiness.