We Support Our Bereaved
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Grief is the last act of love we have to give to those we have loved. Where there is deep grief, there was great love.
ASK's support for a family does not end when a child passes away.
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The ASK-sponsored Chaplain for the Hematology/Oncology Division at Children’s Hospital of Richmond very often has had the opportunity to develop a relationship with a child in treatment together with the child’s family from diagnosis on throughout subsequent medical care. When a child passes away, he continues to make himself available to support a grieving family, in the measure a family may choose.
At about one month from the time of a death, our chaplain coordinates with a family and members of the hospital team that cared for a child to arrange for a home visit. These visits prove to be occasions of rich, mutual sharing of memories as well as presenting an opportunity for family members to talk personally with their child’s care providers about anything relating to the child’s treatment and circumstances. Information is also given to the family to facilitate their access to professional bereavement care resources that are available in the area where they live. He maintains a current list of professional grief counselors who provide individual and family grief therapy.
At about one month from the time of a death, our chaplain coordinates with a family and members of the hospital team that cared for a child to arrange for a home visit. These visits prove to be occasions of rich, mutual sharing of memories as well as presenting an opportunity for family members to talk personally with their child’s care providers about anything relating to the child’s treatment and circumstances. Information is also given to the family to facilitate their access to professional bereavement care resources that are available in the area where they live. He maintains a current list of professional grief counselors who provide individual and family grief therapy.
Day of Remembrance
Each fall ASK families and staff gather together to hold a service of Remembrance and Celebration of the lives of our deceased children. The program also includes a family craft time and time for parents and siblings to bond with others over an informal meal.
Grief Support Groups
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Online Grief Resources
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Bon Secours Bereavement Center
Eight week support groups, specialty groups, workshops and other programs. Call 804-433-4710 or email bereavement@bshsi.org. A listing of Bon Secours' Spring 2018 Bereavement Services can be found here. They are also hosting a Service of Remembrance on April 15, 2018, and they've compiled a list of Coping Strategies that you can find here. The Compassionate Friends, RVA Chapter Meets at 7 p.m. the last Tuesday of the month St. Matthias Episcopal Church 11300 W. Huguenot Road, Midlothian, VA 23113 No need to register. Call 804-458-9000 or email tcfrva@hotmail.com for more information. Crater Community Hospice Offers six week family healing groups in Petersburg, Chester, and surrounding counties. For further information call 804-526-4300 or visit www.cratercommunityhospice.org. Full Circle Grief Center: Hands on Healing Family Groups 10611 Patterson Avenue, Suite 101 Richmond, VA 23238 For more information call 804-912-2947 or visit HOHgroups@fullcirclegc.org. Mary Washington Hospice Monthly group for parents suffering the death of a child 2nd Tuesday of each month, 6 - 7 p.m. Call Kathy Wall at 540-741-3595 or email Kathrynj.wall@mwhc.com. MISS Foundation Support for mothers and fathers enduring the death of a child 3rd Monday of each month, 7 - 8:30 p.m. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church 1101 Forest Avenue, Henrico, VA 23229 Visit www.richmond.missfoundation.org for more details. Noah's Children Monthly workshops led by professional counselors for parents who have experienced the death of a child 18 years of age and under. Call 804-513-2523 or email Beth_Smith@bshsi.org for more information. Sisters of Hope Faith-based group of bereaved moms gathering to offer support, encouragement, and hope 2nd Tuesday from 7 - 8:30 p.m. Village Church 233 N. Courthouse Road, N Chesterfield, VA Contact Peggy Graeser at 804-796-2021 or visit www.sistersofhope-richmond.com for more information. A Time to Grieve, a Time to Heal: Bereavement Support Group Wednesdays 1 - 2 p.m., beginning November 1, 2017 River Fitness Center 1025 Hobbs Hole Drive, Tappahannock, VA 22560 Contact Riverside Tappahannock Hospice, Kim Barker, 443-6130 |
IPAD APP: My Good Grief Journal for Kids
http://mygoodgriefjournalforkids.com/ Fun, cool technologically advanced tool that helps adults—in a private, secure environment—spark warm, meaningful conversations with their grieving children about a loved one who has died. Featuring creative activities focused on remembering and personalization. $0.99 in the app store. FACEBOOK: DEATHub [group] An online forum to openly talk about death, ask questions, hear inspiring stories; designed by comedy blogger Confessions of a Funeral Director Caleb Wilde. INSTAGRAM: MARI ANDREW A recent Huffington Post article recently featured artist Mari Andrew and her profound expressions of grief. Web site (featuring illustrations and prints for sale): http://bymariandrew.com/ WHAT’S YOUR GRIEF WhatsYourGrief.com provides information about grief theories while also encouraging creative coping. Consider checking out their recent projects:
HEAL GRIEF healgrief.org A free social support network providing an online platform which takes a modern approach to the way individuals communicate a love one’s death; articles, online interaction, memorialization. Partner of AMF for college students. CENTER FOR LOSS & LIFE TRANSITION https://www.centerforloss.com/grief/ The Center for Loss & Life Transition, led by grief counselor and educator Dr. Alan Wolfelt, is an organization dedicated to helping people who are grieving and those who care for them. |