Date: Wednesday, Oct 11th Time: 7pm - 8:30pm Are you interested in volunteering with the North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS)? NOHS is...
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 Psych/Social 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 Sheila Odney at 250-503-1800 ext. 105 or email [email protected]
“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
Oct 04 2023
3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Grief Group for Women Who Have Lost a Spouse
Oct 05 2023
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Walk with Me
Polson Park
Oct 11 2023
3:15 pm - 5:00 pm
Grief Group for Women Who Have Lost a Spouse
No event found!
Powered by Modern Events Calendar
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 778-475-9180 (direct line)
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 Groups
We have two weekly walking group for bereaved individuals that meet at Polson Park in Vernon, one every Tuesday from 6:30 – 7:30 PM and the other Thursday from 9:00 – 10:00 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 Psych/Social 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
An activity-based group for children, ages 8 to 11, who have experienced a loss of a significant person in their life. This six session program is free to participants, and will provide opportunities to process grief through art, craft, and play.
For more information or to find out when the next session will be held, contact Felicia, Grief and Bereavement Counsellor, at [email protected] or 778-475-9180
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.
- 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.