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 has 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 offers includes 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 Groups
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 of those who have died in the care of Palliative Care Service and are over the age of 18.
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. There are evening virtual groups (zoom) and daytime in-person groups (Wednesday afternoons at Alderney Gate Library)
Prior to joining the group 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 many have.
For more information contact 902-473-1622 or czbereavement@nshealth.ca
Our grief groups are modelled after the BC Bereavement Helpline Traumatic Loss Support Group facilitator training and Resource Guide.
Palliative Care Memorial Services
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.
For questions or to register please call (902) 220-4398 or email czbereavement@nshealth.ca
Other Supports
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.
Canadian Virtual Hospice
Halifax Hospice Grief & Bereavement Programs
Bereaved Families of Nova Scotia
Government of Canada information about Palliative Care Grief Support
