QEII Halifax Infirmary Emergency Department is working with reduced space, which may lead to delays for those with less urgent concerns. Learn more here.
Nova Scotia Health has made changes to parking and the main entrance of the QEII Halifax Infirmary. Learn more.
The Palliative Care Bereavement Service provides grief support for the family and friends of patients who have received care from the Palliative Care Program in Central Zone. This support includes grief counseling, grief support groups, memorial services, and grief related resources.
If you are the family member or friend of somebody who died while under the care of Palliative Care Service and are looking for support with your grieving, please reach out. All services are free of charge.
The Bereavement Service is made up of a full-time Coordinator, a small team of Palliative Care Grief Resource Support volunteers and administrative support.
The Bereavement Coordinator is available to provide grief related information to the wider community, including the public, community agencies, healthcare providers, NSH staff and volunteers. Working together with NSH team members and other community partners, the program supports and encourages grief literacy and education.
Grief support groups provide the opportunity to come together in a supportive environment to explore the grief experience with others. These groups are open to friends and family (over the age of 18) of those who have died in the care of Palliative Care Service.
There are different types of grief support groups that meet different people’s needs. The grief groups offered through the Palliative Care Bereavement Service are closed 6-week groups, which means that participants commit to 6 weeks of meetings with the same people. At this time, we offer only virtual grief support groups. You are welcome to contact us to find out about other grief support groups available.
Prior to joining our groups every participant will meet with one of the facilitators for an initial conversation, which is done over the phone or zoom. This provides an opportunity to let you know what to expect in the group, to explain the group format, and to answer any questions that you may have.
Our grief groups are modelled after the BC Bereavement Helpline Traumatic Loss Support Group facilitator training and Resource Guide.
The next Grief Support Group is scheduled to take place in Winter, 2025. Please contact us if you would like to be placed on a waiting list.
For more information or to register please email czbereavement@nshealth.ca or call 902-473-1622.
Twice a year (in the spring and in the fall) the Palliative Care program hosts a memorial service which provides an opportunity to publicly honor those who have died while under our care. Family, friends and staff are welcome.
The next Palliative Care Memorial Service will be in collaboration with Nephrology Services and is scheduled to take place on November 25th, 2024, in the Paul O'Regan Hall of the Halifax Central Library.
You are invited to bring along a framed photograph of your deceased loved one. These photos will be placed at the front of the room during the service. The photo will be returned to you.
You are welcome to bring others with you or to come alone. Children are welcome. There is no childcare provided, however the second floor of the library does have a child-friendly space that is available.
For planning purposes, it is helpful if we have an idea of how many people will be in attendance. Please let us know how many will join you. We don’t need their names, just how many. We know that it can be especially difficult to plan when we are grieving. If you don’t want to register now, you can let us know when you are ready or just show up. You will be welcomed.
Paid parking is available under the library. It costs $2/hour and can be paid by debit, credit or cash. There are many other public parking options available near the Central Library, including metered street parking and a number of public parkades, including the nearby Park Lane.
For questions or to register please call (902) 220-4398 or email czbereavement@nshealth.ca
Nova Scotia Health Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) Program - Grief supports are offered through the MAiD Program. This includes free individual counseling and grief groups. This support can be accessed by calling 1-833-903-6243 or 902-491-5892.
Halifax Hospice Grief & Bereavement Programs
Bereaved Families of Nova Scotia
Government of Canada information about Palliative Care Grief Support
Victoria Building
Part of QEII Health Sciences Centre
1276 South Park Street
Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Bereavement Coordinator’s office is in the Victoria General Hospital, on the Palliative Care Floor (Floor: 7A, Office: 055).
On Wednesdays grief counselling is available at Alderney Gate Public Library - 60 Alderney Dr, Dartmouth
On the fourth Friday of every month grief counseling is available at Sackville Public Library, 636 Sackville Dr, Lower Sackville
Grief and Bereavement Services can be accessed through self-referral by contacting the Bereavement Coordinator.
Contact
Palliative Care Bereavement Coordinator: Jocelyne Tranquilla
Phone: 902-473-1622
Email: CZbereavement@nshealth.ca
When you call the Bereavement Coordinator you can expect to speak with a kind professional who will explain the grief services available and answer any questions that you may have.
This pamphlet describes how you may feel after the death of a loved one. Topics include physical changes, emotions, what you can do, and grief. This pamphlet is also available in French.
Although your grief is unique to your relationship with the person who died, there are some common themes. Our staff, volunteers, and bereaved people have identified 10 things as important in understanding your grief. This pamphlet is also available in French.
This pamphlet has suggestions about dealing with common challenges you may face when you are grieving. This pamphlet is also available in French.
This pamphlet explains how you can help when your child is coping with disease, dying, the death of a loved one, and grief. This pamphlet is also available in French.